Giants Rumors: DeVonta Smith or Jaylen Waddle Seen as NY's Likely Pick at No. 11

The New York Giants are reportedly increasingly focused on using their first-round pick on either Alabama receiver DeVonta Smith or former teammate Jaylen Waddle.

Jordan Raanan of ESPN reported the Giants are expected to stay at No. 11 and focus their efforts on adding a top wideout.

Ja'Marr Chase is increasingly expected to be the top wide receiver off the board, leaving Smith and Waddle as the likeliest players at the position to fall out of the top 10.

The Giants have been in search of a Pro Bowl-caliber receiver since trading Odell Beckham Jr. to the Cleveland Browns ahead of the 2019 season. No Giants receiver has recorded more than 751 yards either of the last two seasons.

While Daniel Jones' struggles to develop are the team's biggest offensive concern, it's fair to wonder if he would be helped out by receivers who get better separation. Smith and Waddle are both burners who can take a five-yard slant to the house in the blink of an eye.

Smith is coming off one of the greatest single seasons for a receiver in college football history, accumulating 1,856 yards and 23 touchdowns on 117 receptions while also emerging as a dynamic punt returner. He became just the fourth wide receiver to win the Heisman Trophy.

Waddle missed more than half of the 2020 season because of injuries, and his college stats pale in comparison to his former teammate. Over a three-year college career, Waddle put up 106 receptions for 1,999 yards and 17 touchdowns—numbers that don't compare favorably to Smith's 2020 season alone.

However, Waddle has been rising up draft boards as teams become more enamored with his considerable physical gifts.