2021 NFL Draft: Kadarius Toney will be elite slot receiver for Giants
![University of Florida receiver Kadarius Toney (1) gestures after scoring a second touchdown during a game against the Missouri Tigers at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Fla. Oct. 31, 2020. [Brad McClenny/The Gainesville Sun]Florida Missouri 03](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_1080,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape%2Fcover%2Fsport%2F1ca65dedccf782ccdaed69fa81d0a0cac48f9e48fab1204ecb1b0a575444e549.jpg "University of Florida receiver Kadarius Toney (1) gestures after scoring a second touchdown during a game against the Missouri Tigers at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Fla. Oct. 31, 2020. [Brad McClenny/The Gainesville Sun]Florida Missouri 03")
With the Chicago Bears trading a solid load of picks, the Giants traded back to await their potential selection. The New York Giants made the selection for Florida Gators wide receiver Kadarius Toney with the 20th overall pick.
The Giants needed to significantly address the offense with quarterback Daniel Jones entering his third year in the league. Last season, the Giants’ offense was ranked 31st in the league (second-to-last) in points per game (17.5) and 29th in passing yards per game (189.1). It didn’t help the Giants that star running back Saquon Barkley torn his ACL in the second game of the season.
The Giants return two of their top receivers from this past season as well as add Kenny Golladay via free agency. Golladay accounted for at least 1,000 receiving yards in 2018 and 2019 for the Detroit Lions but only played in five games last season due to injury.
Kadarius Toney will be dangerous in the slot
New York is bringing in one of the most elusive and dangerous receivers in this 2021 NFL Draft class. Toney came in as a dual-threat quarterback to the Florida Gators where he used as a dynamic playmaker in the rushing and receiving game. He split his productivity with the Gators’ offense as a runner in RPO schemes and as a slot receiver.
This past season was the season where Toney was used to his full potential as he caught 70 passes for 984 yards and 10 touchdowns. Toney only caught 50 passes for 606 yards and two touchdowns in the first three seasons of his collegiate career.
Toney also rushed for 161 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries this past season.
The Giants are looking to add another receiving threat for their quarterback in a critical year. Toney will be inserted in multiple different formations but mostly as a slot receiver where he can be a quick target in slant routes and screens.
For Jones to grow as the franchise quarterback, the Giants needed an explosive playmaker at slot receiver. And this is it.
Next. Way-too-early preseason Top 25 projections for 2021. dark