Let's go, it's NFL Draft day. The 2023 edition begins tonight in Kansas City. For the first time since 2017 when the Giants selected tight end Evan Engram, Big Blue's first-round pick will be going down in the 20s.
The Giants have picked in the Gop 10 in four of the last five drafts. It will be very refreshing to see Commissioner Roger Goodell announce the Giants pick at No. 25, regardless of who the selection is. Joe Schoen could opt to take a WR, CB, or IOL in round one, as the Giants have a need at all three positions. With that said, here are the three best-case scenarios for the Giants in the first round.
3. Zay Flowers falling to No. 25
A downfield weapon for Daniel Jones? An absolute necessity. Flowers ran a 4.42 40-yard dash at the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine and is a big play waiting to happen.
In 2022, Flowers ranked inside the top 30 in deep catches and deep yards among all FBS wideouts, according to PFF. Flowers racked up those impressive numbers despite playing on a 3-9 Boston College squad that averaged just 17.8 points per game, and dealt with a rotating cast of quarterbacks.
Flowers also has immense versatility. In 2022, the BC wideout played 1,285 snaps, 816 outside, and 466 in the slot. Flowers might seem rather small to play on the outside, but his elite speed and large catch radius will allow him to be successful wherever he is lined up. Flowers also seems to like Daboll, and even he called him funny during an interview:
Zay Flowers says he met with the Giants on a top-30 visit and says that Brian Daboll is "funny:"
— Giants Videos (@SNYGiants) April 26, 2023
"He's a funny guy, but he's cool. I like him a lot." pic.twitter.com/7XQpw6yYUe
Flowers will likely not be avaliable when the Giants come on the clock at No. 25. If he is, you better bet Joe Schoen will turn that card in as fast as possible. Giants fans would love to see the BC product pack his bags for the Big Apple.
2. Jaxon Smith-Njigba falling to No. 25
This is the dream scenario. Jaxon Smith-Njigba is the player Giants fans absolutely love, and rightfully so. The Ohio State Buckeye's 2021 season, was nothing short of historic. The do-it-all wide receiver hauled in 95 CJ Stroud passes for 1,606 yards and nine touchdowns that fall.
To cap off his historic 2021 season, Smith-Njigba posted the best performance in the long history of the Rose Bowl, hauling in 15 passes for 347 yards and three touchdowns against a very talented Utah team.
Smith-Njigba will be a WR1 as soon as he enters the NFL. He can play in the slot or on the outside. Smith-Njigba was the best wideout on the Ohio State roster in 2021, and that team also featured 2022 first-round picks Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave, in addition to surefire 2024 first-round pick Marvin Harrison Jr.
The Ohio State wideout is 6-1, 200 pounds. Ja'Marr Chase is 6-0, 201 pounds. They both have very deceptive speed and catch anything that is thrown at them. Smith-Njigba can have a Chase-like impact in his rookie season, and the Giants should do everything they can to land the talented wideout. A lot of folks in New York and New Jersey will be praying for a big draft day slide.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba says he's talked to the Giants during the draft process.
— Giants Videos (@SNYGiants) April 26, 2023
On Brian Daboll: "He's an awesome coach, would definitely love to play for him and what he brings to a locker room. I hear a lot of great things. It would be cool to be a Giant." pic.twitter.com/09pzKsM90B
1. Joey Porter Jr. or Deonte Banks lands with Big Blue
The Giants biggest need is not wide receiver, it's defensive back. In fact, defensive back is now the favorite to be the Giants first-round pick per the Las Vegas oddsmakers. Adoree' Jackson is the only corner on the Giants who has a role carved out for him in 2023. The Giants don't currently have a CB2 on the roster. Jackson will be a free agent after the season, which would leave the Giants without a CB1 or CB2 for 2024.
In the wide receiver room, the Giants feature Darius Slayton, Sterling Shepard, Isaiah Hodgins, Parris Campbell Jr., Jamison Crowder, Wan'Dale Robinson, and Collin Johnson, all who are in line for big roles in 2023. That is a solid group, but it does not have a WR1. After making the playoffs in 2022 without a WR1, Schoen might decide that is the route to go again in 2023.
The cornerback room has an alpha, but it has little depth after that, the polar opposite of the wide receiver room. Schoen has consistently preached about adding depth to the Giants roster, which makes it likely he will draft a DB tonight. Deonte Banks and Joey Porter Jr. are both much more than depth.
Banks is 6-0, 197 pounds, and ran a blazing 4.35 40-yard dash at the 2023 NFL Combine. Banks is predominately a man-to-man cover corner, which would make him a perfect fit for Wink's system. Porter Jr. is 6-2, 193 pounds, and ran a 4.46 40-yard dash.
Similar to Banks, Porter Jr. predominately played man-to-man in college. Either would be a tremendous pick, and could give the Giants an elite corner tandem for the 2023 season. We're about to find out what Schoen has in mind for the future.