The New York Giants are 1-2 through three games in 2023. The first three games have exposed holes on New York's roster on the offensive line, wide receiver, EDGE and linebacker rooms. Things need to change for the future, no doubt.
Big Blue general manager Joe Schoen will be busy in free agency this winter, but he has another avenue to help improve the roster once April arrives: the 2024 NFL Draft. Schoen is a scout at heart, and we know he prefers to build the majority of the roster through the draft. We don't know if Big Blue is a contender or pretender yet in 2023, but I know it's never too early for a mock draft. Here's our latest edition:
NY Giants first-round pick: WR Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State
I utilized the NFL Mock Draft Database simulator, which projected New York to have the No. 14 overall pick in next April's draft. Big Blue's first-round decision will likely come down to wide receiver or an offensive lineman.
Two wide receivers, Ohio State's Marvin Harrison Jr. and LSU's Malik Nabers, went before New York's pick in this simulation, but Schoen would be thrilled to end up with Egbuka. Egbuka, a 6-1, 206-pounder (similar build to Ja'Marr Chase).
In his first season as a starter for the Buckeyes in 2022, Egbuka hauled in 74 CJ Stroud passes for 1,151 yards and 10 touchdowns. Throughout his three-season college career, Egbuka is averaging 15.7 yards per reception. ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. spoke highly of Egbuka in a recent episode of Monday Blitz.
" "If you go back to last season, in 15 of the last 17 games, he's had a catch of over 20 yards. He's Mr. Consistency. He's so reliable, so smooth. He's in the slot most of the time making clutch, third-down catches."Mel Kiper Jr.
NY Giants second-round pick: DE Jack Sawyer, Ohio State
The Giants have zero pass-rush depth on the current roster behind Kayvon Thibodeaux and Azeez Ojulari, and there are questions to be asked about them. Sawyer, the No. 1 rated recruit in the 2021 ESPN 300, is a 6-4, 265-pounder who excels in both run and pass defense.
Sawyer has not quite had the college career expected of the No. 1 overall recruit, but he has impressed in 2023. PFF has given Sawyer an 81.7 overall defensive grade and an elite 90.2 pass-rushing grade. New York has just two sacks through three games and could desperately use another blue-chip pass-rush prospect.
NY Giants third-round pick: RB Blake Corum, Michigan
Will Saquon Barkley be the Giants running back in 2024? That is going to be a major topic of conversation this offseason. The Giants and Barkley could not agree on a long-term extension this past offseason, and it's uncertain how Schoen's regime views Barkley's value.
Regardless, New York could use a complimentary backup, given his injury history. Schoen was part of the Buffalo front office that drafted both Devin Singletary (2019) and Zack Moss (2020) in the third round of the draft, and could do something similar in 2023.
Blake Corum was a monster in 2022, winning the Ameche-Dayne Running Back of the Year award and was unanimously named All-American. Corum had 1,463 and 18 touchdowns in 2022 and was a Heisman frontrunner until he suffered a knee injury in late November.
NY Giants fourth-round pick: WR Jalen McMillan, Washington
Parris Campbell Jr. and Sterling Shepard likely won't be on the Giants roster next year. With 2024 expected to be a deep wide receiver class, it would make sense for the Giants to target two of the class's best prospects early in the draft.
Jalen McMillan, a 6-1, 192-pound speedster, has already hauled in 311 yards and three touchdowns in 2023. In 2022, McMillan had 1,098 yards and nine touchdowns. The Washington Husky averages 13.6 yards per catch and is a big play ready to happen. McMillan could end up being a first-round pick, so getting him in Round 4 would be great value. Schoen found great wide receiver value in 2023 by drafting Jalin Hyatt in Round 3.
NY Giants fifth-round pick: OT Reuben Fatheree II, Texas A&M
Andrew Thomas is cemented as New York's left tackle of the future, but it remains to be seen if Evan Neal is New York's right tackle. If Schoen doesn't know the answer to that question by the end of the year, he will bring in competition this spring.
Reuben Fatheree II is a 6-8, 305-pound athletic freak who was a consensus four-star recruit and multi-sport high school star (basketball and football). In 2022, Fatheree II started at right tackle and received a 77.5 pass-blocking grade from PFF, one of the 10 best in the SEC.
NY Giants sixth-round pick: QB Jalon Daniels, Kansas
Tyrod Taylor's contract expires at the end of this season, and New York will likely search for a new, cheaper backup. Tommy DeVito could be a candidate, but the 2024 QB class is insanely deep, and Schoen could tap into that.
Of PFF's 20 highest-graded college quarterbacks in 2023, 19 are draft-eligible in 2024. Jalon Daniels is a dual-threat quarterback who has a lot of similarities to Taylor. Daniels has completely turned around the Kansas program, leading them to their first bowl appearance since 2008 last fall, and has his Jayhawks squad at 4-0.
Throughout his career, Daniels has thrown for 4,297 yards and 31 touchdowns while rushing for another 600 and 13 touchdowns. Daniels has one more year of eligibility and could opt to return to school and become a high pick in 2025). Or, he could leave school early.
The Giants do not have a seventh-round pick in 2024, as they traded it for Isaiah Simmons. Fans are hoping the Giants can get back on track vs. the Seahawks in Week 4, but again, it's never too early to start thinking about next spring. Some talented, young pieces will be needed for the G-Men.