Giants 2024 NFL Mock Draft: Roundup of B/R Staff, Kiper and Expert Picks
While the New York Giants' 2023 offseason focus was largely on keeping the proverbial band together, New York has been more aggressive in adding fresh talent this offseason.
While the Giants did lose key contributors in Saquon Barkley and Xavier McKinney, they also added the likes of Devin Singletary, Jermaine Eluemunor, Aaron Stinnie, Jalen Mills and Brian Burns.
On paper, the Giants should be better in two key areas—on defense and along the offensive line. Now, New York has a chance to continue evolving its roster through the 2024 NFL draft.
The biggest question facing the Giants is whether to stick with quarterback Daniel Jones or target a new signal-caller over draft weekend. A quarterback would make sense, given the talent available in the class, but New York does have other pressing needs.
How do the experts view things shaking out for the Giants later this month? Let's take a look at some of the latest mock drafts from around the web with a focus on New York's top three selections—picks No. 6, 47 and 70.
Pick No. 6
B/R Scouting Department: WR Malik Nabers, LSU
ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr.: WR Malik Nabers, LSU
NFL Media's Chad Reuter: WR Malik Nabers, LSU
According to The Athletic's Dianna Russini, the Giants are "showing strong interest at the quarterback position."
However, the Bleacher Report Scouting Department, ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. and NFL Media's Chad Reuter all had New York going in a different direction in Round 1. All three paired the Giants with LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers.
It is a logical choice, since the Giants lack a true No. 1 receiver, a serious potential problem, regardless of who is under center in Week 1. Nabers is the second-ranked receiver on the Bleacher Report Scouting Department's big board and could immediately add some juice to New York's passing attack.
"Nabers isn't exactly the big-bodied X-receiver the Giants need," Derrik Klassen of the B/R Scouting Department said, "but he's too good to pass up with this pick. Nabers' explosive ability is unrivaled in this class, particularly with the ball in his hands."
Targeting Nabers would leave questions at the quarterback position, but the former Tigers star could easily either A.) help Jones rebound from a disastrous 2023 campaign or B.) help give New York's next quarterback the sort of quality receiver corps that Jones never enjoyed.
Pick No. 47 (from Seattle)
B/R Scouting Department: S Kitan Oladapo, Oregon State
ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr.: Projected trade to No. 33 for Oregon QB Bo Nix
NFL Media's Chad Reuter: CB Ennis Rakestraw III, Missouri
There are scenarios in which the Giants could land one of the top receivers in the draft and still find their next quarterback. In Kiper's draft, New York does it by trading up to the 33rd overall pick to snag Oregon's Bo Nix.
"Surprised? Maybe we shouldn't be," Kiper wrote. "Daniel Jones is locked in as the Giants' starter in 2024, but the team could part ways with him next offseason, when his guaranteed money drops."
As Kiper noted, Jones' contract will have just $22.2 million in dead money remaining after this season—as opposed to the $69.3 million remaining now. Parting with Jones next offseason would be feasible.
Trading up to No. 33 could make sense, as could trading back into the bottom of Round 1—which would net New York the fifth-year option, a tool it didn't exercise with Jones.
The B/R Scouting Department paired New York with Oregon safety Kitan Oladapo, who would provide much-needed depth on the back end. Reuter targeted Missouri cornerback Ennis Rakestraw III, another sensible choice.
The Giants ranked 24th in net yards per pass attempt allowed last season.
Pick No. 70
B/R Scouting Department: QB Michael Penix Jr., Washington
NFL Media's Chad Reuter: RB Trey Benson, Florida State
The Athletic's Nick Baumgardner: WR Devontez Walker, North Carolina
Kiper's mock only went two rounds, so for Round 3, we'll turn to The Athletic's Nick Baumgardner. His mock had the Giants trading down from No. 6 and landing Georgia tight end Brock Bowers at No. 9.
Baumgardner then had the Giants taking Minnesota safety Tyler Nubin in Round 2 before grabbing North Carolina receiver Devontez Walker in Round 3.
Bowers would make plenty of sense, as tight end Darren Waller's future remains cloudy at best. Adding Walker would still net New York some receiver help.
Reuter mocked Florida State running back Trey Benson to the Giants in Round 3. Again, it's a logical pairing. Singletary will help fill the void created by Barkley's departure, but Benson would help create a stronger backfield rotation.
With New York passing on quarterbacks in the first and second rounds of the B/R mock, the scouting department handed the Giants Washington's Michael Penix Jr. in Round 3. It's worth noting, though, that the B/R mock was based heavily on the Scouting Department's own board, and Penix could go much earlier later this month.
Penix went 37th overall in Kiper's mock, for example.
What's noteworthy here is that three of the four mocks we examined have the Giants taking a quarterback before the end of Day 2. This seems to support the idea that New York is interested in drafting a quarterback this year.
*Draft order via Tankathon. Contract information via Spotrac.