NY Giants reportedly eyed 'future lead back' on Day 2 of the NFL Draft

What could have been for the NY Giants and general manager Joe Schoen? After taking Malik Nabers with the No. 6 overall pick, Giants Nation couldn't wait to see which position the front office would attack for Rounds 2-3.

In the second round, the G-Men went with safety Tyler Nubin, a move that was widely celebrated. In the third round, cornerback Andru Phillips was taken at No. 70 overall. As it turns out, there was another player Schoen was eyeing, but he decided not to reach for him. That player would be USC running back MarShawn Lloyd, per ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.

The NY Giants were eyeing MarShawn Lloyd in the 2024 NFL Draft

"Like Dallas, New York also had its sights on USC running back MarShawn Lloyd as a future lead back but didn't have a pick between Nos. 71 and 107. Lloyd went 88th. But the Giants definitely had him on the radar in Day 2."

- ESPN's Jeremy Fowler

Can you imagine if the Giants had made a play for Lloyd instead of Phillips? Obviously, Schoen wasn't going to take him at No. 70, but perhaps trading back into the 80s and adding some draft capital might have enticed him.

Had Lloyd made his way to East Rutherford, he would have formed a RB duo with Devin Singletary, who was signed the same day it was announced former NY Pro Bowler Saquon Barkley was heading to the Eagles on a $37.75 million deal. Singletary is durable, but he needs some help to try and replace Barkley's production.

That's where someone like Lloyd could have come in, but Schoen decided to stay put at No. 70 and Kentucky's Phillips was the pick. Tyrone Tracy Jr. was selected in the fifth round and he's expected to give Singletary a big hand for the ground game.

In the end, Lloyd ended up being taken No. 88 overall by the Green Bay Packers. The former USC RB could have been a stud for the G-Men, but we'll instead be watching him make plays in the NFC North. Will this be a move Schoen regrets, or will Phillips prove to be a key contributor on defense? Ask us how we're feeling again in about seven months.