Giants 2024 Draft Lookahead

If you couldn’t already tell, we’re in a sort of dead zone in the NFL calendar. Late April’s draft and all it’s attendant analysis is well behind us, but training camp is over two months away. Fans, whether they’re looking backwards into the past or forwards into the future, will need binoculars to see anything resembling pertinent football news.

New York Giants fans might find things a skosh more interesting nowadays. Star running back Saquon Barkley has yet to sign his franchise tage tender in the hopes of negotiating a long-term contract with the team. Big Blue might also sign a still-available veteran free agent or two to help fill out their roster. But beyond that, relevant Giants news items are few and far between.

So, to capitalize on whatever remnants of draft mania are still around, while also forecasting how things could shake out for the Giants next season, let’s project what the Giants’ biggest needs could be entering next offseason, and name a 2024 draft prospect worth watching for each of them.

Wide Receiver

By signing six receivers and drafting Jalin Hyatt, the Giants have taken a “quantity over quality” approach at receiver. That’s an easier approach to take when, frankly, you don’t really have access to quality. For all the names Big Blue has at receiver, they don’t have anyone you’d call a number-one, or even high-end number-two, option. For this offense to reach it’s final form, it will need to find a top-notch outside receiver that can consistently win one-on-one’s and command double teams.

Prospect to Watch: Johnny Wilson, Florida State

If we assume the Giants won’t be bad enough to be in a position to take Ohio State’s Marvin Harrison Jr., who has a good chance to be the first non-quarterback taken next April, we can look a little further down the board at the very intriguing Wilson. At 6’7″ and 235 pounds, you simply don’t see receivers of his size very often. But Wilson is more than just a physical anomaly. He broke out with 43 catches and 897 yards for the Seminoles last year. If Wilson builds off his quality 2022 season with a strong 2023, he’ll be in the first-round conversation. He could be a good complement to the smaller, speedier receivers the Giants already have.

Inside Linebacker

The Giants had not just one of the worst, but the worst off-ball linebacking corps in the NFL last year. The signing of Bobby Okereke from the Indianapolis Colts this offseason will help, but New York will probably need at least one more starting-caliber linebacker to complete their front-seven. Second-year day-three picks Micah McFadden and Darrian Beavers will have this season to prove themselves as viable options. There’s a good chance Big Blue will enter next offseason with a hole at linebacker.

Prospect to Watch: Jeremiah Trotter Jr., Clemson

Big Blue hasn’t taken an off-ball linebacker in the first round since Carl Banks in 1984. Predicting them to do so again would be a fool’s errand. But it’s also foolish to say it will never happen again. Plus, it sure would be fun to stick it to the divisional rival Philadelphia Eagles by taking the son of one of their all-time greats. Jeremiah Trotter was a long-time Eagle linebacker in the late 90’s and 00’s. His son looks to be following in his footsteps. The younger Trotter racked up 89 tackles, including 13.5 for a loss and 6.5 sacks for Clemson last year. If the Giants pick late in the first round, he could be someone they target to round out their defense.

Safety

Last offseason, the Giants lost Jabrill Peppers and Logan Ryan. That left an apparent hole at the second starting safety spot next to Xavier McKinney. Fortunately for them, Julian Love stepped up and proved himself a legitimate starting safety. This offseason, Love signed with the Seattle Seahawks. Once again, the Giants don’t have a clear-cut starting safety beyond McKinney.

Prospect to Watch: Tyler Nubin, Minnesota

Nubin is entering his fifth-year-senior season at Minnesota. He’ll be a slightly older prospect than Giants general manager Joe Schoen usually looks to draft, but he possesses the size, speed, and ball skills you look for in an NFL safety. Nubin racked up 55 tackles and four interceptions for the Golden Gophers last season.

Cornerback

Yes, the Giants just used a first-round pick on cornerback Deonte Banks. But there are two (three if you count the slot corner) starting corners on every defense, and veteran Adoree’ Jackson is entering the final year of his contract. Unless one of Aaron Robinson, Cordale Flott, or Tre Hawkins exceed expectation and show starting-caliber play next season, the Giants will need a cornerback opposite Banks should they let Jackson walk.

Prospect to Watch: Kalen King, Penn State

New York passed on their chance to take a long, man-cover corner from Penn State when they took Banks instead of Joey Porter Jr. this year. If things break right, they could have another shot at it next year with King. Playing opposite Porter Jr. last year, he finished with 16 passes defended and three interceptions. If he continues his strong play as the Nittany Lions top corner this year, he could be a really good fit for coordinator Wink Martindale’s defense.

– Ryan Cuneo is the Managing Editor of Full Press Giants. He covers the New York Giants. Like and follow on Follow @ryan_cuneo Follow @FullPressGiants and Facebook.