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Giants Now: Mel Kiper updates Big Board; Darnay Holmes led rookies in key stat

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Mel Kiper updates 2021 draft Big Board

It's been a while since Mel Kiper Jr. released his initial draft Big Board, as his original rankings came out prior to the start of college football bowl season back in mid-December.

Now that both the Senior Bowl and Super Bowl are officially behind us, ESPN's draft expert finally updated his Big Board to reflect the performances put on during bowl season and down in Mobile.

The top of Kiper's rankings remains the same, as Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence and Oregon offensive tackle Penei Sewell continue to hold down No. 1 and No. 2, respectively, on the list. However, the next few spots have changed, with several talented playmakers who have been connected to the Giants in mock drafts rising on the Big Board.

Alabama wide receiver DeVonta Smith moved up to No. 3 on Kiper's list, while LSU wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase was also bumped up a spot to No. 4. Right behind the two electric receivers are Florida tight end Kyle Pitts and Alabama's other wide receiver Jaylen Waddle, who both jumped two spots on the Big Board.

Here are the top 15 players on Kiper's latest Big Board:

  1. QB Trevor Lawrence, Clemson
  2. OT Penei Sewell, Oregon
  3. WR DeVonta Smith, Alabama
  4. WR Ja'Marr Chase, LSU
  5. TE Kyle Pitts, Florida
  6. WR Jaylen Waddle, Alabama
  7. QB Justin Fields, Ohio State
  8. QB Zach Wilson, BYU
  9. CB Caleb Farley, Virginia Tech
  10. LB Micah Parsons, Penn State
  11. G Rashawn Slater, Northwestern
  12. QB Mac Jones, Alabama
  13. QB Trey Lance, North Dakota State
  14. ILB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Notre Dame
  15. CB Patrick Surtain II, Alabama

PFF highlights Darnay Holmes' rookie year performance

The Giants drafted Darnay Holmes in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL Draft, using the 110th overall pick on the cornerback out of UCLA.

In 12 games (five starts), Holmes registered 30 tackles (23 solo), 0.5 sacks, two quarterback hits, one fumble recovery, one interception, and five passes defensed. Holmes was on the field for 416 snaps on defense in his rookie campaign, 41 percent of the team's total defensive snaps.

With 11 cornerbacks selected in the first three rounds, Holmes wound up being the 12th CB taken. However, the fourth-round pick finished the season leading the rookie class in one statistic.

Holmes recorded the most targets without a touchdown allowed among all rookie defensive backs in 2020 with 52.

View some of the best photos of the Giants' rookies throughout the 2020 season as the team enters the offseason.