NY Giants 7-round 2024 Mock Draft: Joe Schoen trades up in franchise-changing move

It's only early November, but the New York Giants 2023 season is over. Any sliver of hope the Giants had was destroyed on Sunday afternoon as Big Blue fell 30-6 to the Raiders in Las Vegas. Just five days after firing Josh McDaniels, the Raiders, led by Giants legend Antonio Pierce and fourth-round rookie Aidan O'Connell, crushed New York in all phases of the game.

Even worse for New York than the loss, Daniel Jones suffered a torn ACL and will miss the rest of the season. Jones received a four-year, $160 million extension in March, but will end the year with just 909 passing yards, three total touchdowns, and six interceptions. 

Jones was awful when on the field, which was not often, as he also missed three games with a neck injury. The Giants will likely lose most or all their remaining games and end up with one of the top picks in the 2024 draft. Given Jones' injury and ability concerns, Big Blue will almost certainly take a quarterback with that pick. Here is my latest NY Giants seven-round mock draft:

NY Giants first-round pick: USC QB Caleb Williams

If the season ended today, New York would have the fourth pick in the draft. If they have the fourth pick on draft night, Joe Schoen won't play around; he will trade up to secure his guy, just like he did to get Deonte Banks in the 2023 NFL Draft.

If the Cardinals hold the first pick, they will look to trade it, as the belief is they prefer to build around Kyler Murray. It would likely cost a 2024 first, a 2024 second, a 2025 first, and more, but it would be worth it to get Caleb Williams. 

There is also a realistic chance the Giants end up with the No. 1 pick, considering they will not be playing with an NFL-caliber QB for the rest of 2023. That is the assumption I made in this simulation.

Williams is a dual-threat quarterback who makes otherworldly plays. He is a can't-miss generational prospect who will be the top pick in the draft. He has drawn comparisons to Patrick Mahomes for a reason.

USC has underperformed in 2023, but that is due to their horrendous defense, not the play of Williams. He ranks first in the FBS in passing touchdowns (28), total touchdowns (38), points responsible for (232), and is second in passing yards (2,958). The 2022 Heisman Trophy winner also has a 70 percent completion rate to just four interceptions. He is a true superstar and could have an Andrew Luck-level impact in his rookie season.

NY Giants second-round pick: Ohio State EDGE J.T. Tuimoloau

JT Tuimoloau is a flat-out dude and would bring some much-needed pass-rush juice to the Giants and take some pressure and attention off Kayvon Thibodeaux.

Tuimoloau is a game-wrecker who has 13 sacks on 74 pressures in 2.5 seasons as an Ohio State Buckeye. Tuimoloau's fourth quarter against Penn State in 2022 was one for the ages and included this unreal pick-six.

The 6-4, 270-pounder seems to always be in the right place at the right time. The Buckeye is a first-round talent who New York would be lucky to snag in the second round. With Azeez Ojulari consistently battling injuries, it's time for Schoen to find a replacement.

NY Giants second-round pick: LSU DL Maason Smith

New York acquired an extra second-round pick when they traded Leonard Williams to Seattle last week. This pick could be used in a trade up for the No. 1 overall pick (Williams) or maybe a trade for a star wide receiver like Davante Adams or Brandon Aiyuk.

If they still have the pick, they should target a guy like Maason Smith, a physical freak who is a first-round talent. Smith, a 6-6, 315 pounder, has recorded five sacks, eight tackles for loss, and 27 pressures across 18 games at LSU. 

Smith has dealt with injuries but would be a day-one starter next to Dexter Lawrence. NFL teams are built through battles won in the trenches, and stacking young talent is never a bad thing. Smith will certainly be a guy to keep an eye on.

NY Giants third-round pick: Oregon WR Troy Franklin

Williams would love a shiny new target. Troy Franklin, who plays for one of Williams' rivals, would be the perfect selection. The 6-3, 187-pounder will likely get picked on one of the draft's first two nights - he's a big-time talent.

Franklin has elite size and speed. The California native has caught 137 passes for 2,046 and 21 touchdowns across three seasons in Oregon. Franklin averages 14.9 yards per catch as a Duck, providing a downfield threat, something New York will surely look to add in the spring.

Look at that shifty move to juke the defender. Franklin is the complete package.

NY Giants fourth-round pick: Ohio State RB TreVeyon Henderson

Saquon Barkley is a free agent at season's end. New York could be looking for his replacement in April's draft, but if he does come back, they could also be looking for his backup as Matt Breida hits free agency.

TreVeyon Henderson is a bruising back who can take any touch to the house. There is a little Barkley in his game. Henderson has 2,404 yards and 28 touchdowns across 2.5 seasons in Columbus. He averages 6.3 yards per carry, which is fantastic.

He can run, but he can also catch passes. That kind of versatility is something Brian Daboll craves.

NY Giants fifth-round pick: Syracuse WR Oronde Gadsden II

The Giants need weapons, weapons, and more weapons. Gadsen, a 6-5, 223-pounder, is a natural tight end but has the versatility to play out wide, which he did a ton of at Syracuse. Gadsen suffered a Lisfranc injury in Syracuse's second game this season and will miss the rest of the year. That could cause him to slip in the draft, which would be some team's gain.

Despite playing on a non-explosive Syracuse offense in 2022, Gadsen hauled in 61 passes for 969 yards and six touchdowns, with a 15.9 yards per catch average. All of Syracuse's offense numbers have fallen with Gadsen out of the lineup, which is no coincidence. 

NY Giants sixth-round pick: Washington Zion Tupuola-Fetui

You can never have too many pass rushers. Zion Tupuola-Fetui is a seasoned edge rusher who will have the maturity to play to be a professional football player from the day he gets drafted - 2023 is his sixth college football season.

The Hawaii native stands at 6-4, 254 pounds, and recorded seven sacks in the Covid shortened 2020 season. He played his heart out during Washington's win over USC last weekend and did it for his dad, who passed away last week.

Talk about a guy who is easy to root for. As we previously mentioned, the Giants need pass-rush help with Ojulari constantly battling issues with his health. The UW playmaker could be a solid late-round get for this team.