The New York Giants could potentially walk away from the 2024 NFL Draft filling two of the biggest holes on the roster, including an elite wide receiver and trading up to select a franchise quarterback of the future to replace Daniel Jones.
That’s the exact scenario that plays out in Mel Kiper Jr.’s latest mock draft projection.
In the first round, Kiper projects the Giants stand pat at No. 6 overall, resisting the temptation to trade up to select a quarterback such as UNC’s Drake Maye or Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy and select elite LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers.
“The Giants’ pass offense fell apart last season,” Kiper writes for ESPN. “As they finished 30th in the league in yards per dropback (4.9). Sure, most of that was without quarterback Daniel Jones, but he struggled in his six games before his ACL injury too, throwing three times as many interceptions (six) as touchdown passes. New York also ranked 30th in yards after the catch (1,601), which showed its need for outside playmakers.
“Nabers could solve that problem, as he’s ferocious after the catch. He can run any route, creating separation on even the best cornerbacks. This is how the Giants could instantly turn around their offense.”
One of the premier receivers in this year’s class, alongside Ohio State’s Marvin Harrison Jr., Nabers would immediately infuse big-play potential into the Giants’ vertical passing game.
Last season, Nabers caught 89 passes for 1,569 yards and 14 touchdowns, while averaging a whopping 17.6 yards per catch.
Nabers would immediately become a favorite target of whoever lines up behind center for the Giants next season.
Would New York Giants Trade Up for Bo Nix During NFL Draft?
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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