The Complete NFL Draft of the New York Giants Is Unveiled, Including a Blockbuster QB Trade
Originally published by Matt Lombardo on Gridiron Heroics; last updated on 4/13/24
By selecting an exceptional wide receiver and trading up to choose a franchise quarterback of the future to replace Daniel Jones, the New York Giants may be able to fill two of the largest weaknesses on the squad in the 2024 NFL Draft.
That is precisely what Mel Kiper Jr.’s most recent mock draft forecast depicts.
According to Kiper, the Giants will sit pat at No. 6 overall in the first round, avoiding the urge to move up to take a quarterback (Drake Maye of UNC or J.J. McCarthy of Michigan) and select outstanding wide receiver Malik Nabers of LSU.
For ESPN, Kiper writes, “The Giants’ pass offense fell apart last season.” “As their yards per dropback (4.9) put them in 30th place in the league. Although quarterback Daniel Jones missed the most of that due to an ACL injury, he also had trouble in the six games he played before the injury, throwing three times as many interceptions as touchdown passes. In terms of yards after the catch (1,601), New York was rated thirty-first, indicating that it needed outside playmakers.
“Nabers, who is fierce after the catch, might handle such situation. With his ability to run any route, he can split even the most skilled cornerbacks. The Giants could immediately improve their offense by doing this.
One of the top receivers in this year’s class, along with Marvin Harrison Jr. of Ohio State,
The Giants’ vertical passing game would gain big-play potential the moment Nabers joined.
Nabers averaged an incredible 17.6 yards per grab while catching 89 passes for 1,569 yards and 14 touchdowns in the previous season.
Nabers would instantly turn into a top target for the Giants’ center of attention come next season.
In the NFL Draft, would the New York Giants trade up to acquire Bo Nix?
Just because the Giants don’t move up into the top-five picks to take a signal caller doesn’t mean New York won’t emerge from the draft with one of the top quarterback prospects in this year’s class.
Kiper believes that Schoen and the Giants will aggressively trade up in the second round to select Oregon’s Bo Nix.
“Surprised?” Kier writes. “Maybe we shouldn’t be. Daniel Jones is locked in as the Giants’ starter in 2024, but the team could part ways with him next offseason, when his guaranteed money drops. And if general manager Joe Schoen and coach Brian Daboll are down on Jones after a tough 2023 that ended with a torn ACL in November, now is the time to start thinking ahead at the position
“Nix started a whopping 61 college games in stints at Auburn and Oregon, throwing for 15,352 total yards. He leveled up in 2023, with 45 touchdown passes and three picks while completing 77.4% of his throws. The question for NFL teams: Do you trust he has enough arm strength to succeed? He was asked to get the ball out quickly and around the line of scrimmage for the Ducks, putting his receivers in a position to make plays after the catch. That’s why I have a Round 2 grade on him. There likely will be a team that falls in love with Nix in this range; why can’t it be the Giants?”
Nix is a fringe first-round prospect, and would represent Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll choosing their handpicked quarterback, as a pivotal third season of their regime begins.
What Malik Nabers, Nix Would Add to Giants’ Offense
Pairing Nix and Nabers with the GIants’ first two picks of the draft could be the foundation of an offense New York can build into an electrifying group in coming years.
Nabers would immediately ascend to the top of a depth chart that includes promising young receivers Won’Dale Robinson and Jalin Hyatt, while serving as a potent deep-threat in the vertical passing game for Jones, Nix, or whoever opens the season at quarterback.
During his prolific career at LSU, Nabers caught 189 passes for 3,003 yards and 21 touchdowns.
Nix and Nabers would represent a significant commitment at two of the most important positions on offense to build around Daboll’s scheme for years to come.
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