5 players Giants should draft in the first round

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - JANUARY 03: Head coach Joe Judge and Daniel Jones #8 of the New York Giants celebrate their teams 23-19 victory against the Dallas Cowboys at MetLife Stadium on January 03, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /

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Gregory Rousseau, Miami Hurricanes. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /

4. New York Giants first-round draft targets – DE Gregory Rousseau

Most Giants’ fans think fondly of their two Super Bowl victories over the New England Patriots that came largely thanks to a dominant pass rush. Justin Tuck, Michael Strahan and Osi Umenyiora were among the elite edge rushers that harassed Tom Brady in those wins.

Finding a pass rush has been a challenge for New York since Jason Pierre-Paul left in free agency. The decision to deal Olivier Vernon to Cleveland was a key move to help the Giants with salary cap room but neither player has truly been replaced over the past few years.

Taking a swing on Rousseau, a potentially dominant edge-rushing candidate, could help the Giants immensely on that front. Rousseau opted out of the 2020 season due to concerns over the coronavirus pandemic but should be ready to step in as a Day 1 starter in any defensive system.

New York could definitely bolster one of its few defensive weaknesses by adding Rousseau as a pass-rushing threat. Seeing a player like Rousseau on the Giants’ defense also feels right so it would make a lot of sense for him to land there.

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