Last week, the New York Giants addressed several major needs. On the offensive side of the ball, they added immediate starters in center John Michael Schmitz and wideout Jalin Hyatt. On defense, they used their first-round pick in the '23 NFL Draft on a potential star in cornerback Deonte Banks.
With the roster assembled, this Giants team heads into the 2023 campaign with high upside. Following a trip to the playoffs last season, they will look to build on their already-established foundation.
While several key areas have already been addressed, the Giants could still add talent on both offense and defense. Along the defensive front, in the secondary, and at wide receiver, foundational players could still be added. With that said, is it too early to look at the '24 draft? Heck no. Here's four potential first-round targets for the G-Men and general manager Joe Schoen.
4. USC safety Calen Bullock
With the departure of Julian Love, the safety position is now headlined by Xavier McKinney, Dane Belton, and Bobby McCain. If this is the group they head into the season with, they could make a splash in next year's draft to add firepower. USC's Calen Bullock could be the perfect fit if that is the case.
During his freshman season in 2021, Bullock looked to have potential in the USC secondary. Over his first 11 collegiate games, he recorded 25 solo tackles, 40 total tackles, three defended passes, and two interceptions.
Following a strong freshman campaign, Bullock returned in 2022 ready to take on an even bigger role. Within a strong USC secondary, he often times looked to be a dominant force. While appearing in 14 games, he recorded 29 solo tackles, 48 total tackles, five defended apsses, five interceptions, and one touchdown.
Coming in at 6-3 and 180 pounds, Bullock has the necessary size to make an impact at safety. In addition, he has elite speed that allows him to easily fly around the field. Placing a player of his caliber alongside McKinney and Belton could give the Giants a solid secondary core for the future.