Four years later, a new look at the 2021 NFL Draft has the Giants making a smarter, safer pick — and one that addresses a major weakness at the time
In a new 2021 NFL redraft by Pro Football Network, the New York Giants swap out wide receiver Kadarius Toney for edge rusher Gregory Rousseau with the 20th overall pick. And frankly, it’s hard to argue with that revision.
The Giants attempted to make a splashy move in 2021 by trading back from pick No. 11 to No. 20 and selecting Toney. While the trade haul (which eventually helped them land long-term value, Toney’s Giants career was brief and frustrating. Between injuries and off-field friction, he played in just 12 games for Big Blue, tallying zero touchdowns before being traded to the Kansas City Chiefs in 2022.
Instead of betting on a high-upside offensive weapon, the redraft version opts for steady production on the defensive line. Gregory Rousseau, originally taken by Buffalo at pick No. 30, has posted 25 sacks in four seasons and he hasn’t missed many games doing it.
The Giants in 2021 were still reeling from years of failing to generate consistent edge pressure. A player like Rousseau wouldn’t have solved everything, but pairing him with Leonard Williams and Dexter Lawrence early on could’ve accelerated the defense’s development and given New York a long-term answer at a key position.
This redraft comes at a time when the Giants are finally building a competent front seven, led by Lawrence, Thibodeaux, Brian Burns and Abdul Carter. But back in 2021? The team’s top edge rusher was Lorenzo Carter. Rousseau would’ve walked in and likely led the team in sacks as a rookie.
And as for Toney, he’s now more known for his off-field antics, rap career, and unreliable hands than for any consistent production on Sundays.
Redrafts are always a mix of revisionist history and fantasy football. But when the revised pick feels this logical and the original pick failed to pan out it’s worth a moment of reflection.
With Rousseau in New Jersey instead of Buffalo, maybe the Giants’ defensive identity would’ve taken shape even sooner.
