Mel Kiper Jr. triples down on the NY Giants drafting a WR1 at No. 6 overall

There is ongoing speculation about who the New York Giants will select with the No. 6 overall pick in late April. Coming off a 6-11 season under second-year head coach Brian Daboll, general manager Joe Schoen is searching for players who will bolster the league's third-worst offense in terms of points per game last season.

The Giants could attempt to trade up to select a highly coveted signal-caller such as Jayden Daniels or Drake Maye. However, they already sent a second and fifth-round pick to the Carolina Panthers in the trade that landed them star EDGE Brian Burns. The likelihood is that New York stays put at No. 6 and chooses the best player available.

With Saquon Barkley's departure to the Philadelphia Eagles and Darren Waller contemplating retirement, the road ahead looks even tougher for Big Blue's offense. While selecting a quarterback to succeed the struggling Daniel Jones is a possibility, one of the most renowned NFL Draft experts remains steadfast in his belief that it is in New York's best interest to pair one of this year's top wideouts with Danny Dimes.

Mel Kiper Jr. reaffirms belief the NY Giants will select Rome Odunze at No. 6

In Mel Kiper Jr.'s most recent mock draft, the longtime analyst believes the Giants will select Washington wide receiver Rome Odunze with the No. 6 overall pick. He thinks the uber-talented wide receiver will be too good to pass up should the opportunity present itself.

At Washington, Odunze had a tremendous senior campaign, catching 92 passes for 1,640 yards and 13 touchdowns - he had unreal chemistry with Heisman Trophy finalist Michael Penix Jr. Odunze's yard total led all Division I FBS receivers.

The 6-3, 212-pound wideout impressed scouts at the NFL Scouting Combine, running a 4.45-second 40-yard dash with a 39-inch vertical jump. He is arguably the top receiver in the class behind former Ohio State Buckeye Marvin Harrison Jr.

"The Giants have improved their receiving corps over the past two years -- Darius Slayton, Jalin Hyatt and Wan'Dale Robinson are their top three guys right now -- but they don't have a true No. 1 guy who can dominate on the outside. They could add that in Odunze, a touchdown machine in a 6-foot-3 frame."

- Mel Kiper

Kiper also touched on the rumors of the Giants pursuing a quarterback with their first-round pick.

"There have been rumblings about New York being a team to watch for the quarterbacks, but I just don't see it. The team is committed to Daniel Jones for at least one more season because of the extension he signed last year, and I think this is too high to take J.J. McCarthy."

- Mel Kiper

It is worth noting that this is the third consecutive mock draft that Kiper has created that features Odunze being selected by New York. He might not always be correct on his draft evaluations, but very few analysts in the industry are as respected as Kiper.

The Giants have taken a wide receiver in one of the first three rounds in each of the past three years, and Schoen is still searching for his much-needed WR1. However, if Odunze does represent New York in MetLife Stadium next season, he should make Jones' job under center much less challenging in what could be a make-or-break year for him.