The New York Giants were in prime position to land a Top 5 draft pick just a few weeks ago. Now at 4-8, the Giants hold the draft's seventh spot. Somehow, the Jets, also at 4-8, are currently ahead of New York in the draft order.
The draft order fluctuates weekly, and the Giants are only one win behind New England, which currently sits in second place in the draft order. Big Blue certainly isn't out of the generational quarterback sweepstakes, especially with a demanding schedule remaining, but the odds are stacked against them getting back up into the Top 2-3. New England's win in Pittsburgh Thursday night was a significant start in that pursuit. If Joe Schoen has to pick seventh in April, the draft may look a lot different than fans would like to see:
NY Giants first-round pick: UCLA EDGE Laiatu Latu
The Giants pass rushing-group for 2024 leaves a lot to be desired. Behind Kayvon Thibodeaux, a budding superstar, the Giants have Azeez Ojulari, who is immensely talented, but oft-injured and a whole lot of nothing.
Championships are won in the trenches, and Schoen could take a page from the San Fransisco 49ers' playbook and build a ridiculous defensive line if he is not in range for a top quarterback, Marvin Harrison Jr., or Malik Nabers.
Laiatu Latu is a dominant pass-rusher who can play at a Pro Bowl level in Year 1. The 6-5, 265-pounder was the lynchpin of one of college football's most dominant defenses in 2023. Latu registered 15 sacks and posted a ridiculous 96.1 PFF total defense grade, which was far and away the best in college football among defensive ends.
So anyway here's every sack so far from Laiatu Latu.
— Brett Kollmann (@BrettKollmann) November 3, 2023
got some Judon to him. pic.twitter.com/pu3ddx6Ce2
In three college seasons, he has 29 sacks and 137 total pressures. Latu can be a perennial double-digit sack guy at the next level. If he's still on the board when it's Schoen's turn to make a pick, then he could end up being the guy taken.