Heading into the NFL Draft, Joe Schoen has put together a New York Giants roster that is built for success in 2023 and beyond. With potential building blocks on both sides of the ball, this team looks to be a threat this season.
With the Giants not selecting until pick No. 25, many of the players on their radar may already be off the board. But with 10 total picks, including seven on Day 3, the team could look to move up. For some of the players that could be on their list, including Ohio State's Jaxon Smith-Njigba, a trade up could make sense, but for others, this move could only hurt the team.
In some cases, many of these players could still be on the board when the Giants pick. Or, they could be positions that have depth, meaning other solid options could still be available. With that being said, here are four players the Giants should avoid trading up for in the draft.
4. Pitt DT Calijah Kancey
Since the end of the season, Schoen and the Giants front office have made it clear that they are looking to solidify the defensive front. While a deal with star defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence feels imminent, and Kayvon Thibodeaux, Azeez Ojulari, and Leonard Williams all set to return for 2023, the team could still add more. An elite prospect in Pittsburgh's Calijah Kancey could be on their radar. If the team is in fact looking to add another piece to the group, Kancey could be the ideal candidate.
During his time at Pitt, Kancey developed into an elite talent on the interior. While taking the field in 33 total games, he recorded 52 solo tackles, 91 total tackles, 34.5 tackles for loss, and 16 sacks. In each of his final two seasons, Kancey recorded at least seven sacks and 13 tackles for loss in both outings.
With the collegiate career that Kancey put together, along with how he has tested, he has put his name alongside the top defensive talents in this year's class. Some assume that Kancey could be selected within the first 15 picks, and if the Giants were to want him, they'd have to leap other teams in front of them.
The addition of Kancey would help elevate the group, but trading up to add him would feel more like a luxury pick. With a foundation already in place, he would only help elevate the unit. If Kancey is still on the board at No. 25, the Giants could give the young defensive tackle a hard look, and if he matches what they are looking to put together, it could make sense. But trading up to add him may not be in their best interests when they have other positions that could use reinforcements.
3. TCU WR Quentin Johnston
Since the NFL Combine, Schoen and the Giants have made their interests in this year's wide receiver class clear. With several meetings with nearly all of the top prospects, the team could very well look to add a pass-catcher in the first round.
One wide receiver that could be on their radar is TCU's Quentin Johnston. Following two strong seasons in 2020 and 2021, Johnston elevated his game in 2022. As TCU made a run to the National Championship Game, he was the driving force of their air attack. He finished the season recording 60 receptions for 1,069 receiving yards and six touchdowns.
Johnston has the size and overall skillset to become a team's WR1 at the NFL level. With how he plays the game, he should be set to make an impact early. Even with the traits that he has shown, trading up to add him is something that the Giants may not want to do.
This year's wide receiver class is loaded with talent, both in the early and later rounds. Outside of Johnston, players such as Smith-Njigba, USC's Jordan Addison, Boston College's Zay Flowers, and Tennesees Jalin Hyatt could all hear their names called in the first round. At pick 25, if the Giants are looking to add a pass catcher, one if not several of these players could still be on the board.
While Johnston could very well end up being the best wide receiver in this year's class, the Giants have already made moves to address the position for 2023. Trading up to acquire a wide receiver when others could be available is a move this team should be cautious about making.
2. Oregon CB Christian Gonzalez
In recent weeks, Oregon cornerback Chrisitan Gonzalez has been a player that the Giants have targeted in several mock drafts. But in order to trade for the star defensive back, the team would have to move up significantly, which would likely involve major draft capital both this season and next.
Following two seasons at Colorado, Gonzalez opted to transfer to Oregon for the 2022 season. In his lone year at the school, Gonzalez took his game to new heights, finishing the campaign recording 50 total tackles, one tackle for loss, seven defended passes and four interceptions.
Upon his arrival in the NFL, Gonzalez has the tools to make an impact from Day 1. With his ability to lock down opposing pass-catchers, he would provide a much-needed boost to the Giants secondary. But what it could take to acquire him could ultimately be too much, especially in a class loaded with this much talent at cornerback.
Even if the Giants choose to stay at No. 25, they could have their pick of talented cornerbacks including Maryland's Deonte Banks or Mississippi State's Emmanuel Forbes.
1. Texas RB Bijan Robinson
Texas running back Bijan Robinson may be the best prospect at his position since Saquon Barkley himself. During his three seasons with the Longhorns, Robinson was elite. Over 31 collegiate games, Robinson rushed for 3,410 yards and 33 touchdowns on 539 total carries. Through the air, he added 60 receptions for 805 receiving yards and eight touchdowns.
If the Giants were in a position where they wanted to add him, it could take a lot to make it happen. Some around the NFL believe that Robinson could be selected as high as 10th overall by the Philadelphia Eagles. A deal to trade up and acquire Robinson wouldn't make sense, specifically when looking at the current state of the Giants backfield.
In Barkley, the Giants already have elite talent at the position. Throughout last season, his first year in the Brian Daboll-led offense, he looked as though he returned to form. Over 16 games, he rushed for a career-high 1,312 yards and 10 touchdowns on 295 carries. Through the air, he added 57 receptions for 338 receiving yards,
While Barkley and the Giants have still not agreed to a new deal, it still appears as though the two sides have a future together. In addition, he will be back in the mix next season after having the franchise tag placed on him. Trading up to acquire Robinson, when Barkley is already on the roster, is a move that wouldn't make sense for the current makeup of the Giants roster, especially when looking at other areas they could look to address. They need to stay away from the Texas RB.
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