Ranking the top WR prospects by fit for the NY Giants offense

The NY Giants will be in play to draft a wide receiver in the first two rounds of the 2024 NFL Draft; the question is, who will they go after? The G-Men will need to address several positional needs, and one is most certainly a wide receiver after the team has failed to find a true WR1 since Odell Beckham Jr. departed in 2018.

Big Blue did draft Jalin Hyatt in last year's draft, who also showed flashes of success but, without a healthy quarterback and consistent offensive line, he did not have a breakout rookie campaign. We'll have to see what the Giants front office decides to do in the 2024 NFL Draft on April 25. With that said, will one of these WRs end up making the move to New Jersey?

5. WR Ladd McConkey - Georgia

The star-studded Georgia Bulldogs offense was powered by tight end Brock Bowers, right tackle Amarius Mims and wide receiver Ladd McConkey, who are all projected to be selected within the first two rounds of the NFL Draft. We can expect McConkey to be a star and a big offseason has left people favorably impressed.

The Georgia receiver had 30 receptions, 478 yards, two touchdowns, and averaged 15.9 yards per reception last season with the Bulldogs. McConkey played exceptionally well in three straight wins over Florida, Missouri, and Ole Miss. The 5-11 wideout was also impressive early in the Reese's Senior Bowl, showing off his elite route-running and catching ability.

The Georgia wideout is projected to be an early second-round selection to the Panthers with the No. 39 pick (via the Giants acquired in the Brian Burns trade) in Mel Kiper Jr's latest mock draft. I could see McConkey being a good fit for Big Blue if he happens to fall to No. 47 or if they trade back from No. 6, but that does not seem likely at this point.

4. WR Adonai Mitchell - Texas

Like McConkey, Texas wideout Adonai Mitchell could be a good fit if the Giants decide to wait on a receiver. While I don't see Mitchell falling to the G-Men in the second round, and I don't believe he'll be the best option at the position at No. 6, the Giants could always trade down in the first round to draft a player like him.

While it doesn't seem likely Big Blue will move down in the first round and either stay put at six or move up to draft a quarterback, Mitchell could be an under-the-radar pick for a team drafting in the middle to late first round in need of a wide receiver. We could see a Texas wide receiver and teammate of Mitchell, Xavier Worthy, also hear his name called around this time in the draft, but it is unknown which we'll see selected first in the 2024 NFL Draft.

In 2023, Mitchell had 55 receptions, 845 yards, 11 touchdowns, and an average of 15.4 yards per catch in 15 games. Some of Mitchell's standout performances came against Alabama, Kansas, BYU, and the Big 12 Championship Game against Oklahoma State. The 6-4 wideout posted six receptions for 109 yards and a touchdown to help give the Longhorns the 49-21 victory over the Cowboys before coming up short in the Sugar Bowl against Washington.

At the NFL Combine, Mitchell ran a 4.34 in the 40-yard dash and jumped 39.5 inches in the vertical. With Mitchell's size and speed, we can expect him to be a receiver that could get taken as early as 15, but with this class being so deep at the position, he could get slept on and become a hidden gem for teams late in the first round or the second round.

3. WR Brian Thomas Jr. - LSU

While Brian Thomas Jr. may not be the best LSU wide receiver in this year's NFL Draft, he is a prospect the Giants and many other teams should be calling about. Last season, Thomas had 68 receptions, 1,177 yards, 17 touchdowns, and an average of 17.3 yards per catch. Some of his best games this year were against Ole Miss, Army, Florida, and a win over Wisconsin in the Reliaquest Bowl, where he had eight receptions, 98 yards, and two touchdowns.

At the NFL Combine, Thomas ran a 4.33 in the 40-yard dash and jumped 38.5 inches in the vertical. The LSU wideout was picked to go 28th to the Bills in Kiper's most recent mock draft, but I could also see him land in Indianapolis with the Colts, who occupy the No. 15 pick. Still, theGiants should be all in on Thomas if they pass on a receiver at No. 6 or trade down in the first round. 

As we mentioned above, the Giants are in need of a new WR1. We don't think Thomas will be in the coversation at No. 6 overal, but we like his abilities enough where if the G-Men to fall back in the draft order, we'd like to see the front office consider him to be an option for this offense.

2. WR Rome Odunze - Washington

Rome Odunze is one of the best wideouts in this class. The Washington Huskies wideout will be a Top 10 pick in this year's draft. In Kiper's latest mock draft, he has Odunze going ninth to the Chicago Bears, who already have DJ Moore and Kennan Allen in their wide receivers room and will likely take USC quarterback Caleb Williams first overall.

Still, if somehow the Huskies wideout is the best option at No. 6, the New York Giants should take him. Odunze is an excellent route runner with great size and strength and he has a high upside to be a WR1 for a lot of NFL teams next season. It's a no-brainer that Odunze will make a lot of offenses better next season and he should be on the Giants radar.

In 2023, Odunze had 92 receptions, 1,640 yards, 13 touchdowns, and an average of 17.8 yards per reception. He played a crucial role in helping lead Washington to a National Championship appearance against Michigan. Despite losing 34-13 in that game, he played well with five catches for 87 yards, but Michigan's defense kept him under 100 yards and out of the endzone.

1. WR Malik Nabers - LSU

Malik Nabers makes the most sense regarding fit for the New York Giants. Last season at LSU, the junior wideout had 89 receptions, 1,569 yards, and 14 touchdowns in 13 games with the Tigers. Not only did Nabers make an impact at LSU this past season, the first-team All-American broke the school record with 189 career receptions and the LSU record for career receiving yards with 3,003
across three seasons.

Nabers had a touchdown in all but three games and had two or more TDs five times this past season. He also had nine games with over 100 receiving yards, but he looked exceptionally strong against Mississippi State, Missouri, and Army. Nabers showed off his speed, running a 4.35 in the 40-yard dash and posted a vertical of 42 inches at LSU's Pro Day.

Some believe Nabers is the best wide receiver in this draft class, but most believe Marvin Harrison Jr. will be the first WR off the board. While the Ohio State wideout would sound great for the Giants, Nabers would be an exceptional fit for head coach Brain Daboll's offense, and Big Blue fans would welcome him with open arms to New Jersey. If he's available at No. 6 overall, we'd love to see the Giants send his name in.