With so many people counting down the days for the 2023 NFL Draft to arrive, there are still some showcases remaining for young studs to try and improve their stock. The NFL Combine is always a pretty big deal, but on Saturday afternoon in Mobile, Ala., there’s going to be loads of eyes on college standouts at the Senior Bowl.
Joe Schoen and other members of the NY Giants front office and staff are ready to see what these kids are made of. For Big Blue fans ready to watch the action from home, here’s a look at four guys you should keep an eye on:
4. SMU wide receiver Rashee Rice
Whether it be via a trade or the draft, Giants supporters want to see Schoen bring in a new star wideout for Daniel Jones to have at his disposal. The Wide receivers room was a major disappointment this past season and outside of Isaiah Hodgins, who didn’t arrive to the team until November, Jones really didn’t have any reliable options.
So, if the G-Men do decide to use a first-round pick on a wideout, SMU speedster Rashee Rice could end up being that pick. A recent mock draft had Rice going to the Giants in the first round. The worry for Schoen is that top targets, including Jordan Addison and Quentin Johnston, could be off the board before NY is on the clock.
If that’s the case, then Schoen will need to go in a different direction if he wants to pick a wideout, or he could end up taking either an offensive guard or linebacker instead. Rice was a baller last season, posting 96 receptions for 1,355 yards and 10 touchdowns. We’ll see what he’ll be able to do at the Senior Bowl.
3. Florida OG O’Cyrus Torrence
On top of the WRs room, there needs to be some major changes with the guys up front. The edges are set for the future, with All-Pro left tackle Andrew Thomas protecting Jones’ blindside, while former No. 7 overall pick Evan Neal will look to improve at right tackle during Year 2 in East Rutherford.
For the interior part of the offensive line, that’s where Schoen is going to have to be busy. That’s why offensive guard O’Cyrus Torrence would be an intriguing option if he’s still on the board late in the first round when it’s time for the Giants to send their pick in. Per The Athletic’s latest mock, they’ve got NY going with Torrence.
You can’t teach size and Torrence has plenty of it: he checks in at 6-5, 347 pounds. In 2022, he was a consensus All-American after dominating in the trenches for the Gators. A lot of people are hoping Schoen uses his first-round pick on a wideout, but if Torrence is still available, it could be too tough for NY to pass up on him.
2. Washington State LB Daiyan Henley
This is a new name that has popped up on our radar this week, as he’s been fantastic at the Senior Bowl practices: Daiyan Henley. A playmaker out of Washington State, who arrived to WSU as a grad transfer from Nevada, Henley earned First-Team All-Pac-12 honors and he’s been showcasing his best stuff in Mobile.
Henley isn’t being looked at as a first-round pick, but thanks to his solid play in Alabama, scouts are impressed and he could end up hearing his name called in the second or third round. With the help the Giants need for the linebackers as a whole, the 6-2, 230-pounder could be an exciting spark for the unit.
NY supporters are keeping their fingers crossed that Schoen could make a splash in free agency and ink someone like Tremaine Edmunds. Now, that’d be a blockbuster move. If that doesn’t happen, the Giants will still need to work on overhauling the LB room. One guy isn’t going to wipe away the terrible play we saw from Jaylon Smith and Tae Crowder in 2022. With all of that said, keep an eye on Henley come Saturday afternoon.
1. South Carolina CB Darius Rush
Lastly, we don’t have to tell you that cornerback is yet another offseason focus. With Adoree’ Jackson and Aaron Robinson both going down with serious injuries in 2022, everyone was reminded of how bad the depth is for the Giants at the position. No one expected Fabian Moreau to see extensive action this past campaign, but that’s exactly what happened.
With some young talent needed, cornerback Darius Rush sure could be an intriguing target for NY. Rush has also seen his stock wise a bit this week in Alabama, as the 6-2, 200-pounder has made several head-turning plays that has experts excited about his potential. His size is fantastic for a cornerback.
His ability to leap high into the air and battle with big-bodied receivers is something the Giants would surely love to have to their advantage. Rush won’t be a Day 1 pick, as he’s projected to hear his name called in the middle rounds. You never know, he could prove to be a Day 2 or Day 3 steal for Schoen if he selects him.
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