Giants' Team Needs to Fill in 2024 NFL Draft

The New York Giants wasted little time in addressing a lackluster roster this offseason. New York was active in early free agency, adding the likes of running back Devin Singletary, quarterback Drew Lock, guard Jon Runyan, offensive tackle Jermaine Eluemunor and safety Jalen Mills.

The Giants also made a massive splash by trading for pass-rusher Brian Burns.

New York's roster does look more complete, on paper, than it did a year ago. However, the Giants lost star running back Saquon Barkley in free agency and still have questions about quarterback Daniel Jones, who is recovering from a torn ACL.

The good news is that, even after the Burns trade, the Giants have six total draft selections, including the sixth overall pick. Here, we'll break down the team's biggest remaining needs and some top prospects that New York must consider.

The Giants added quarterback Drew Lock as insurance, but they really should be looking for a new long-term answer at the position. Jones' injury history is part of it, but outside of a good-not-great 2022 season, he's largely disappointed.

Jones had two touchdowns and six interceptions with a 70.5 passer rating in six games before the injury in 2023.

Even at No. 6, though, trading up may be the only way the Giants secure the QB they want. The Chicago Bears are widely expected to take USC's Caleb Williams at No. 1, while the Washington Commanders (No. 2) and New England Patriots (No. 3) should also be in the QB Market.

If the Giants can move up to No. 2 or No. 3, though, a prospect like LSU's Jayden Daniels or North Carolina's Drake Maye would be sensible. If they can't, then Michigan's J.J. McCarthy might be an option at No. 6.

Whether via a trade down or in Round 2, prospects like Washington's Michael Penix Jr. and Oregon's Bo Nix should also garner attention.

A lot will hinge on how things fall early in Round 1, but New York should consider all options at the game's most important position. Jones has been just above average at his very best, and the NFL's most consistent teams have quarterbacks who elevate the talent around them.

If the Giants opt to stick with Jones or simply delay the QB decision until 2024, they would be wise to use their top selection on one of this year's talented receivers. With a new quarterback or not, New York needs a legitimate No. 1 target. This class has receivers who can fill that need.

There's a very slim chance that Ohio State's Marvin Harrison Jr.—the top-ranked overall prospect on the Bleacher Report Scouting Department's big board—falls to No. 6. It would take a huge early run on quarterbacks and a little luck, but New York could potentially stay put and land Harrison.

Yet, LSU's Malik Nabers is more than just a consolation prize and has an even greater chance of being available at No. 6.

"it's easy to see how Nabers could make an instant impact in the NFL. His combination of speed, quickness and yards-after-the-catch skills will translate into explosive plays right away," Derrik Klassen of the Bleacher Report Scouting Department wrote.

Barring a trade down, quarterback or receiver makes the most sense for the Giants in Round 1. The benefit of going with a quarterback is that it's a deep receiver class, and New York could find premium talent after Day 2.

Adding a receiver like Texas' Xavier Worthy or Adonai Mitchell in the second round would still boost New York's passing attack significantly.

Defensively, the Giants desperately need to address a secondary that ranked 24th in net yards per pass attempt last season. New York used a 2023 first-round pick on cornerback Deonte Banks, but it has yet to re-sign Adoree' Jackson.

While the 2024 class isn't particularly deep at cornerback, there are some quality prospects at the top. The Giants could likely land a future starter by using their second-round selection on a player like Iowa State's T.J. Tampa.

"He will need to shore up his tackling and play with more consistent pad level, but it will not be surprising if he is selected early on Day 2 and works his way onto the field early in his NFL career," Cory Giddings of the B/R Scouting Department wrote.

Players like Georgia's Kamari Lassiter, Clemson's Nate Wiggins, Notre Dame's Cam Hart and Iowa's Cooper DeJean would also be sensible Day 2 targets for New York. However, the chances of finding a legitimate starter are likely to fall off considerably after early Day 2.

It would behoove the Giants to use their 47th or 70th selection on a cornerback to complement Banks.