As John Harbaugh takes over full control of the Giants’ football operations, he has plenty of needs to address.
Among them — finding more weapons for Jaxson Dart.
Yes, Dart already has Malik Nabers and Cam Skattebo and, to a lesser extent, Theo Johnson.
But Harbaugh must get a long-term receiver option to play outside opposite Nabers. And Darius Slayton clearly isn’t that guy.
So the latest mock draft projection from NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah makes sense — Ohio State receiver Carnell Tate to the Giants at No. 5.
Jeremiah’s analysis of the projection is quite obvious: “The Giants add another weapon for Jaxson Dart. Tate gives the offense a vertical receiver to play opposite a hopefully-healthy Malik Nabers.”
Well, yeah.
It’s also worth remembering that slot receiver Wan’Dale Robinson is a pending free agent. Ideally, the Giants would re-sign him.
In Jeremiah’s latest mock draft, these are the projected first four picks:
1. Raiders: Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza
2 . Jets: Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey
3. Cardinas: Miami OT Francis Mauigoa
4. Titans: Miami edge rusher Rueben Bain
Other receiver options for the Giants include USC’s Makai Lemon, Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson, Washington’s Denzel Boston, Notre Dame’s Malachi Fields and Texas A&M’s KC Concepcion.
Jeremiah has all of those players going in Round 1 — with the eighth, 14th, 21st, 26th and 32nd picks, respectively.
As for Tate (who is 6-foot-3 and 195 pounds), here’s a look at his NFL.com scouting report:
Ascending “Z” receiver who continues to step out from the shadow of Ohio State teammate Jeremiah Smith. Tate has good size but would benefit from more play strength. He builds momentum quickly on intermediate and deep routes, utilizing speed and tempo to pressure cornerbacks. He can win over the top on verticals or separate over the first two levels with route savvy and separation burst.
Tate tracks throws at top speed and makes his adjustments to run under them. He combines timing, body control and catch radius to dominate air space and consistently lands on the winning side of contested catches. Pass catching comes effortlessly with soft, strong hands and he consistently works back on throws to keep ballhawks from hawking. Tate displays rare polish for a player his age and has the talent to become a heralded pro within his first three seasons.