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Mock Draft Tracker

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Mock Draft Tracker 3.0: Mel Kiper makes first picks

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While the Super Bowl LV matchup was set, the 2021 NFL Draft season rolled along.

Last week, the league announced the names of 98 underclassmen who have been granted special eligibility for selection in the draft, which will take place from April 29-May 1 in Cleveland, Ohio.

Meanwhile, Senior Bowl Week just wrapped up in Mobile, Alabama.

This year, the teams were coached by the Panthers, who own the No. 8 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, and the Dolphins, who hold Nos. 3 and 18. The Giants currently have the No. 11 pick.

NFL Media analyst Daniel Jeremiah updated his ranking of the top 50 prospects in the 2021 NFL Draft for the final time before the start of the draft.

What happened this week in Mobile will certainly shake up draft boards, but for now, here is a look at the latest projections from draft experts:

Pick: Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida

Analysis: "At 6-foot-6, Pitts has the size/speed traits to line up out wide, in the slot or next to an offensive tackle. And he showed off his ability after the catch by averaging 17.9 yards per reception with 12 touchdowns. Pitts is not a traditional tight end, but he's a skilled offensive threat. And with Evan Engram on the roster, too, the Giants would have two of the most athletic -- and versatile -- tight ends in football."

Pick: Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama

Analysis: "The Giants are all in with Daniel Jones and now they need to give him some weapons on the outside."

Pick: Gregory Rousseau, DE/OLB, Miami-FL

Analysis: "Rousseau opted out this season, but he had 15.5 sacks for the Hurricanes in 2019 and has speed and power coming around the corner. Alternatively, offensive line, wide receiver or cornerback could be areas to keep an eye on for New York."

Pick: Kyle Pitts, WR/TE, Florida

Analysis: "Pitts can play tight end or wide receiver and create mismatches with his size, athleticism and ball skills."

Pick: Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama

Analysis: "Waddle is the first Alabama wide receiver off the board in part due to the deep speed that showed up in his averaging 18.9 yards per reception over his three-year career. Waddle was actually the highest-graded Alabama receiver on their loaded 2018 team. He adds a vertical weapon for QB Daniel Jones, who was quietly one of the best downfield passers in the league a year ago."

Pick: Kwity Paye, DL, Michigan

Analysis: "New York needs some edge rush assistance. It is my justification every week for taking the top option and starting him with the team's elite interior defensive line structure."

Pick: DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama

Analysis: "Smith may not be the biggest receiver, weighing in around 170 pounds, but he has very good speed, is an extremely nuanced route-runner who creates easy separation, and is a nightmare with the ball in his hands after the catch."

Pick: Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State

Analysis: "The Giants have needs along the offensive line, but the defense could use some upgrades too."

Pick: Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama

Analysis: "Stylistically, Waddle is my favorite receiver in the draft — the speed is shocking. It shouldn't be legal to average 11.2 yards after the catch per reception, as Waddle did over the past two years at Alabama."

Pick: Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida

Analysis: "The Giants upgrading at tight end with Pitts would be a smart decision as Daniel Jones enters his third season under center."

Pick: DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama

Analysis: "Smith certainly qualifies, as he's carried the Alabama offense despite being without his three fellow first-round receivers. He has racked up over 1,200 receiving yards, including the third-most yards after the catch in the country."

Pick: Gregory Rousseau, EDGE, Miami

Analysis: "The Giants are strong up the middle defensively and look much better at cornerback, but they are in desperate need of punching their old calling card on the edge under Dave Gettleman. Rousseau, who opted out of the Hurricanes season, didn't really need to play to boost his stock after posting 15.5 sacks and 19.5 tackles for loss in his lone significant and final season under defensive-minded head coach Manny Diaz."

Pick: Kwity Paye, EDGE, Michigan

Analysis: "Paye is an ascending talent with elite physical gifts that could make him a dynamic threat off the edge for a Giants defense that is already stout on the interior."

Pick: Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida

Analysis: "The versatile tight end played just shy of 64% of his offensive snaps inline, but he dominated unlike any other tight end we had ever seen when he lined up out wide in single coverage. Pitts went toe-to-toe with press coverage when lined up out wide for 40 receiving snaps this season and came away with seven explosive receptions of 15-plus yards on those opportunities. We have never seen a tight end record more than two of those in a single year before Pitts this season."

Pick: Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech

Analysis: "With the additions of Jabrill Peppers, Logan Ryan, and Julian Love, the Giants have a strong secondary group. It's just another outside CB away from being elite."

Pick: DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama

Analysis: "Smith adds to an already talented trio of wide receivers in Darius Slayton, Sterling Shepard, and Golden Tate."

View photos of players to accept an invite to the 2021 Senior Bowl.

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