The Giants are scouting all of the top quarterbacks, but they can’t control the five NFL Draft picks in front of them.
So it’s possible they will trade up for a QB. It’s possible they will take one at six. It’s possible they will wait until round two.
Or, as Pro Football Focus lead draft analyst Trevor Sikkema said in the Daily News’ seven-round Giants mock draft, it’s possible Joe Schoen doesn’t take a QB at all.
“There is a realistic chance that they trade up, because I think this team is going to be eyeing a quarterback,” Sikkema said Tuesday on the Talkin’ Ball with Pat Leonard podcast. “I just don’t know if they’re gonna be able to sit at No. 6 and get one of the big four.
“If you’re not drafting one in the first round, if you’re the Giants, I probably would not be drafting one at all,” Sikkema added. “Good quarterbacks go early. Good quarterbacks go at the top of the draft. There are too many good football players on the board” in the middle rounds.
Sikkema and Leonard discussed the team’s options at every pick and landed on six selections in this NFL Draft scenario. Here are the highlights of a haul that could help Brian Daboll in 2024:
Draft needs: QB, WR, OT, CB, DL, S, RB, TE
Round 1, 6th overall: Malik Nabers, WR, LSU
The Giants can’t get into the top 3 for a QB because the Bears, Commanders and Patriots are all taking one. Schoen tries to trade up with Cardinals GM Monti Ossenfort at No. 4, but Arizona accepts a trade from the Vikings at No. 11 instead. With the top four picks all QBs and the Chargers taking Ohio State WR Marvin Harrison Jr. at No. 5, Schoen stays and takes the explosive Nabers over Washington WR Rome Odunze. Nabers had 1,569 receiving yards and 14 TDs last season and is the No. 1 receiver on several NFL GMs’ boards.
Sikkema: “The Giants are going to explore all of those options. I don’t know if the deal [for a QB] ends up getting done. That’s a giant toss-up in this entire equation. If Malik and Rome are on the board, I would still take Malik. I understand he’s not that big-body ‘X’ that’s a little bit different for them, but I think he’s a better receiver.”
Round 2, 47th overall (from Seattle): Khyree Jackson, CB, Oregon
Quarterbacks Michael Penix Jr. and Bo Nix don’t slip to the Giants’ second pick, either. And Schoen traded No. 39 overall to the Carolina Panthers in the Brian Burns deal. So he uses this pick to address a major need at corner, landing the 6-4, 194-pound Jackson, a junior college and Alabama transfer to play opposite 2023 first-round pick Deonte Banks.
Sikkema: “He’s got the size, speed, physicality combination. He really showed out this past year. If you get that in the NFL, I think it’s starting caliber.”
Round 3, 70th overall: Brandon Dorlus, DL, Oregon
Schoen goes with back-to-back Ducks in Sikkema’s simulation, adding the versatile 6-3, 283-pound defensive lineman to a front that already features Burns, Dexter Lawrence and Kayvon Thibodeaux. Dorlus is a powerful defensive end, but he has played across the D-line and projects to have some value on the interior at the pro level, as well.
Sikkema: “I promise I’m not an Oregon alum, I’m just picking good football players. I really like him. I like him better inside, and I think that’s his best spot at the NFL level, but that versatility also is really good. His size and strength combination gives you the ability to say if we want to get creative on this down, let’s go with an odd front and have Burns and Thibodeaux standing up. And you have Dorlus, Rakeem Nunez-Roches and Lawrence with their hand in the dirt. And that is a feared five on the line of scrimmage.”
Round 4, 107th overall: Isaiah Davis, RB, San Diego State
The Jackrabbits’ physical 6-0, 218-pound back ran for 1,578 yards and 18 TDs last season. He breaks tackles and runs with power but also has enough athleticism at his size to change direction capably. With Saquon Barkley out and Devin Singletary in to the Giants’ running back room, there is a need for another backfield weapon behind Daniel Jones and Drew Lock.
Sikkema: “He’s got some nice finesse for a player of his size. I like the idea of Davis being an early-down back with Singletary. I feel like they’re gonna love his size and overall finesse game.”
Round 5, 166th overall (from S.F. thru Carolina): Walter Rouse, OT, Oklahoma
Rouse has logged 2,233 snaps at left tackle for the Sooners the past three seasons. The Giants need tackle depth even after signing Jermaine Eluemunor in free agency. It would be wise for Schoen to invest in some young talent that new offensive line coach Carmen Bricillo can mold. Maybe the 6-6, 313 Rouse can develop into a valuable swing tackle at the very least.
Sikkema: “Experienced left tackle from Oklahoma. I liked him a lot when I saw him in person at the Shrine Bowl. Let’s take a swing at an O lineman, get a developmental guy in there.”
Round 6, 183rd overall: Anthony Gould, WR, Oregon State
The 5-8, 174-pound receiver was first-team All-Pac- 12 as a return specialist in 2022. The NFL’s new kickoff rule encourages returns and invites more big plays. It’s possible several teams, including the Giants, will “try to hit a home run with a return advantage,” as Sikkema put it, with a late-round flier pick.
Sikkema: “He’s a smaller, faster slot receiver with punt and kick return experience. I know they’ve got some shorter players on that roster now, but maybe he can take over as that wide receiver No. 5 who ends up being the best returner on the team because of that speed and that make-you-miss ability.”
