The New York Giants have lost out on the Odell Beckham Jr. sweepstakes. The Baltimore Ravens signed the former Giants star to a one-year deal worth $18 million, with $13.835 million in guaranteed money.
Although it hurts to not see No. 13 back with the G-Men, it isn't the worst thing in the world. The Giants have new playmakers in town and more stars could be on the way later this month. With that said, here are four players who could help the Big Blue faithful forget about Beckham inking with Baltimore.
4. Giants WR Parris Campbell
Giants general manager Joe Schoen has been on his grind since the 2023 campaign ended. He went out and made a couple big moves to help push the passing game to new heights. One of the newest additions is Parris Campbell, who spent the last four seasons with the Indianapolis Colts. Last season, Campbell lit up the statsheet with a career-year.
Playing in all 17 games for the first time in his career, the 25-year-old speedster had 63 receptions for 623 yards. Adding three touchdown grabs as well, Campbell adds a versatile piece to the G-Men passing game that was sorely missing last season.
Coupled with another new addition in tight end Darren Waller, Campbell will give quarterback Daniel Jones the edge to put up career numbers in 2023. He may be inside a crowded offensive unit, but he will surely set himself apart from the rest of the pack. Campbell has a ton of potential and NY supporters can't wait to see what he can do starting in Week 1.
3. Giants WR Darius Slayton
This isn't a new name, as he was a part of the Giants last season. However, this upcoming year is set to be a career season for Darius Slayton. The speedy wide receiver, who had a solid year in 2022, is poised to make a big in 2023.
With Jones getting his new contract last month, all signs point to him really slinging the ball around this season. Expect Slayton's targets to exponentially increase in 2023. Last season, he had 46 receptions for 724 yards and a pair of touchdown grabs. The fifth-round pick out of Auburn averaged 15.7 yards per catch, which was the seventh-highest in the league.
Despite there being new targets added to the passing game already, and possibly in the upcoming NFL Draft later this month, Slayton is gonna shine through in '23. He is the veteran of this young receiving core, and he will have to step in as a leader.
In the past, drops have been an issue for Slayton - people aren't going to forget about that. However, while there were more drops in '22, including a terrible one in the postseason vs. Minnesota, Slayton was reliable for Jones most of the year. That will need to be the case once again next season.
Options in the 2023 NFL Draft
Now, onto some potential draft picks. The Giants hold the No. 25 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft later this month, and with that selection, there are a ton of options in front of them. With a ton of speculation pointing toward the Giants wanting to take a new wideout in the draft, there are plenty of names to choose from in this year's draft class.
Of course they can trade that pick for an alrady-proven talent, or they could just go in a different direction with taking a lineman off the board in the first round. But, it seems like each day a new report comes out of a prospect getting a meeting with Schoen and head man Brian Daboll. So, will one of these guys below be NY's first-rounder?
2. Boston College WR Zay Flowers
The Giants have certainly done their diligence on who they should take at No. 25 in the NFL Draft. I think it would unwise to go with anyone not named Zay Flowers, the wide receiver from Boston College.
BC receiver Zay Flowers lands in Newark today for his #Giants visit on Wednesday fresh off being tabbed as the 10th overall player (#1 WR) on ESPN’s big board this morning.
— Art Stapleton (@art_stapleton) April 11, 2023
Flowers was a stud at the college level. In 2022, he caught 78 passes for 1,077 yards - both were Top 20 in the nation. His impressive statline however, was that he grabbed 12 touchdowns this past season, which was tied for fifth most in the country. As the Giants only had 17 touchdowns through the air last season, his skillset of being able to score is desperately needed.
It is entirely possible for Flowers to fall to No. 25. There are a couple of other big-name wideouts ahead of Flowers that should be taken before him. Most notably, Jaxon Smith-Njigba of Ohio State and Quentin Johnson of TCU should be taken before Flowers has his name called.
1. USC WR Jordan Addison
Another great target that the Giants could grab at No. 25 is Jordan Addison from USC. After lighting up the scoresheet in 2021 at Pittsburgh, with Kenny Pickett as his QB, he transferred to USC with high hopes. He had another incredible year in 2022, with 59 catches and 875 yards.
He did go down with an injury during last season and missed the Trojans' 46-45 loss to Tulane in the Cotton Bowl. Addison is expected to be 100 percent at the time he is drafted later this month, meaning he will be ready to go for all training camp activities.
I would say that Addison will likely not get his name called by the Giants. If Flowers gets selected by one of the 24 teams before the G-Men make their pick, it is safe to assume that they will be going after Addison, if he's still available that is.
In other NFL Mock Draft, Addison has been placed at the Giants' pick in the first round. Plenty of fans are hoping he's there for the taking when Schoen is on the clock. Could you imagine Addison catching balls from Jones in 2023? That's what a lot of folks are hoping for. We'll find out on April 27 if that happens or not.