Joe Schoen and the New York Giants front office should be excited about Monday's College Football Playoff National Championship game between the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and Ohio State Buckeyes. Both teams boast talented rosters packed with NFL Draft prospects, and you can bet the Giants will be paying close attention.
While the Giants' priority at the NFL Draft will be the quarterback position, New York also has significant needs at cornerback, offensive line, and defensive line. With Ohio State and Notre Dame featuring talent in these areas, Monday night promises to be a must-watch for Giants fans.
Here are five prospects Giants fans should keep an eye on during the CFP National Championship:
5 players Giants fans should look out for in National Championship game
5: Ohio State - Donovan Jackson, OL
The Giants’ struggles with their offensive line have been well-documented, making it a priority to improve both guard and tackle positions. While New York added linemen in free agency last offseason, their offensive line still ranked among the league’s worst.
Donovan Jackson has stepped up for Ohio State this year after starting left tackle Josh Simmons went down with a season-ending injury in October. Jackson, who transitioned from left guard to tackle, has flourished in his new role.
At 6-foot-4 and 320 pounds, Jackson’s size and versatility will intrigue NFL teams. While his future might still be at guard, his ability to play both positions could make him a valuable day-two draft pick.
4: Ohio State - Denzel Burke, CB
With Deonte Banks struggling during his sophomore campaign and Adoree' Jackson likely departing in free agency, the Giants must prioritize cornerback in the draft.
While the Giants could target Travis Hunter, the Heisman Trophy-winning cornerback from Colorado, with the No. 3 pick, they may opt to address the position later in the draft.
Enter Ohio State’s Denzel Burke, who has tallied 28 passes defended and four interceptions in his college career. Despite suffering an injury in Ohio State's Orange Bowl win over Texas, Burke is expected to play on Monday night. A likely second-round pick, Burke could be an excellent fit for the Giants' secondary.
3: Notre Dame - Xavier Watts, S
While drafting a safety in the second round for consecutive years might not be ideal, the Giants could target Notre Dame's Xavier Watts if Jason Pinnock leaves in free agency.
Watts has proven to be one of college football’s top safeties, with 47 solo tackles, six interceptions, eight passes defended, and one forced fumble this season. The two-time All-American, who transitioned from wide receiver to safety, has exceptional ball-hawking skills and an impressive ability to read quarterbacks.
If the Giants decide to bolster their secondary, Watts should be on their radar.
2: Ohio State - Tyleik Williams, DT
Ohio State defensive tackle Tyleik Williams is a name Giants fans should remember. A 6-foot-3, 315-pound force on the defensive line, Williams combines size, strength, and athleticism to make an impact.
Though his stats—42 tackles and 2.5 sacks this season—don’t pop off the page, Williams excels at stuffing the run and disrupting plays in the backfield. He’s the type of player who doesn’t always fill the stat sheet but makes his presence felt.
With the Giants looking to add depth alongside Dexter Lawrence, Williams would be a smart day-two target.
1: Ohio State - Jack Sawyer, EDGE
The Giants will be looking for an additional edge rusher this offseason to complement their talented pass-rushing unit, which already includes Kayvon Thibodeaux, Brian Burns, and Dexter Lawrence. With free-agent edge rusher Azeez Ojulari not expected to return, the Giants will need to find depth on their defensive line to fill the void.
One of the most exciting players on Ohio State's defense is defensive end Jack Sawyer, who has been a standout during the Buckeyes’ postseason run. Sawyer has totaled 10 tackles, 4.5 sacks, and even a scoop-and-score touchdown against Texas throughout the College Football Playoffs.
Not only has Sawyer been dominant in the postseason, but the Ohio native also had an impressive senior campaign, finishing with 46 total tackles, 4.5 sacks, and one interception across 12 regular-season games.
As the 6-foot-5, 260-pound defensive end's stock continues to rise, we can expect several teams to express interest in him. Be sure to tune in on Monday night to watch No. 33 on defense. If Sawyer is available when the Giants are on the clock, they shouldn’t hesitate to take him.