With the way this season has gone, the NY Giants are currently looking at having a Top 5 pick in this year's draft. Many fans want the team to select a quarterback with said pick, and while this may be the right decision, nothing is set in stone yet.
The 2024 NFL Draft is full of talent whether it be at quarterback, wide receiver, offensive line, or defense. Regardless of what position the Giants take, they're more likely than not going to earn a top-notch player.
Considering all the uncertainty surrounding whether or not Joe Schoen is going to take a QB this year, we want fans to be up-to-date on some of the other top-tier players from this class. So with that in mind, here are five first-round prospects not named Caleb Williams or Drake Maye that the Giants could target:
5. EDGE Laiatu Latu, UCLA
With the inconsistencies that come with Azeez Ojulari, both on the field and with health, it may be time for the Giants to consider moving on from him. If they opt to go in this direction, there may be no better option than Laiatu Latu out of UCLA.
Through 11 games this college season, Latu has racked up 14 sacks, 62 pressures, 36 tackles, and three forced fumbles. Not only is Latu arguably the best pass rusher in the draft class, but his skill set and playstyle would fit perfectly with the Giants. His elite instincts, deep pass rush bag, and speed are all the ingredients for an elite pass rusher.
His length and athleticism may not be as elite as previous top picks at the position, but his skill set will easily make up for this at the NFL level. His injury history could be a concern, but he's yet to miss a game in two seasons and has been dominant each year. Depending on how the board falls prior to the Giants' pick, Latu could very well be their guy.
Pairing Latu next to Kayvon Thibodeaux could very well make for a top edge-rushing duo in the NFL. New York already has the pieces, so adding Latu may be the glue for what could become an elite pass-rushing unit as a whole.
4. OT Olumuyiwa Fashanu, Penn State
The lack of progression through two seasons from Evan Neal has been very concerning to watch unfold. It may be worth giving Neal another chance to prove he can be a starting-caliber tackle. However, we would totally understand if the Giants don't want to keep giving him more opportunities to fail and hurt the team.
If Schoen opts to give up on his former No. 7 overall pick, then taking Olumuyiwa Fashanu may be the right move depending on how the board falls. Fashanu has consistently been one of the best tackles in college football and it could be worth trying to switch him over to right tackle in order to bolster a struggling offensive line.
Through 354 pass-blocking snaps this season, Fashanu has allowed 10 pressures and zero sacks, earning a PFF pass-blocking grade of 88.8. Fashanu is an incredible athlete, being fluid both in getting out of his stance and as a run blocker. This, alongside his elite hand strength and placement, makes him one of, if not the best tackle prospects in the entire draft.
3. QB Jayden Daniels, LSU
He may not be my favorite prospect, but if Williams and Maye are gone by the time the Giants pick, and they're dead set on selecting a quarterback, Jayden Daniels may be the best guy on the board at his position. New York has consistently struggled to produce explosive plays over the last couple of years and Daniels would be a great solution.
In 11 games this season, Daniels has completed 71.4 percent of his passes for 3,576 yards, 36 touchdowns, and four interceptions. In addition to this, Daniels is also incredibly dynamic on the ground, running the ball 124 times for 1,014 yards and 10 touchdowns, averaging 8.2 yards per carry. This two-way level of play at quarterback would fit very well with Brian Daboll and Mike Kafka.
Daniels does a lot of things that current Giants QB Daniel Jones cannot. For example, he's incredibly fluid in the pocket and exhibits great awareness of his surroundings. Alongside this, he has a massive arm despite having some clunky mechanics with his lower body that hamper this ability. This makes it pretty scary to think about what his arm could be if he solves this issue.
In terms of mechanics, this is where Daniels' biggest flaws are at. He doesn't engage his lower body nearly as much as he should, and he has a pretty inconsistent throwing motion which limits his accuracy. However, with the right coach, these issues can be fixed in due time. We've already seen Daboll and Kafka make guys like Tommy DeVito and Davis Webb look like NFL-caliber quarterbacks, so we can only imagine what they could do with Daniels.
2. OT Joe Alt, Notre Dame
When I said there was a reason Fashanu wasn't the guaranteed best tackle in the draft class, it was because of Joe Alt. The 6-8, 322-pound tackle from Notre Dame has been one of the best players in the class period, let alone at his position. Whether it be as a run-blocker or pass-protector, Alt has few flaws.
This season, Alt has allowed just five pressures and one sack through 350 pass-blocking snaps. Whether or not the Giants want to switch things up with Neal, picking Alt may be the right move. Something that I'd like to see New York try, is moving Neal to guard. His lack of speed and immense power would be a much better fit inside as opposed to tackle. Not to mention, if they do this it would open the path up to take Alt or Fashanu, who would likely be much better.
On the opposite end of the spectrum when compared to Neal, Alt is incredibly fast when getting out of his stance whether it be stepping back in pass protection, or rising to the second level as a run-blocker. This, combined with his perfect combination of height and weight makes for what will likely be an elite tackle out of the gate.
1. WR Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State
The Giants have been without an elite wide receiver for a long time now. While this issue is often overblown by fans looking to coddle the Giants' quarterbacks, it's still an issue nonetheless. However, this can all be fixed by selecting Marvin Harrison Jr., who has superstar WR written all over him.
His numbers are incredible on their own, but watching Harrison on film showcases skills that former top picks at the position were nowhere close to matching. His footwork, athleticism, dynamism in the open field, and hands are all amongst the best in the nation and you can make a real case that he's the best player in the entire draft class.
Harrison has caught 62 passes for 1,093 yards and 13 touchdowns this season. While these numbers may not pop out like prospects of the past, his film more than makes up for it. Adding Harrison to this Giants' offense would do wonders and very well could play a big role in revitalizing Jones in the second season of his massive extension.