Nothing off table as NFL Draft nears
Giants Mock Draft 5.0: Our latest projections for Big Blue
It’s the final countdown. We’re under the two-week mark, and the finish line to Draft Season is in sight. Giants general manager Joe Schoen will have his pre-draft news conference later this week and the speculation continues regarding what Big Blue will do, what players are being targeted and whether a quarterback is truly in the mix. Nothing is off the table. Here’s our fifth attempt at predicting how this will play out for the Giants using the Pro Football Network mock draft simulator with the Combine now in the rear-view mirror and “30” visits coming to a close Wednesday:
The draft begins with trade offers to consider
Caleb Williams went to the Bears at No. 1. Washington took LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels. That’s where the fun started, with New England throwing a bit of a curveball, taking Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. Clearly the Patriots like a quarterback further down on their board.
The Arizona Cardinals and Los Angeles Chargers stuck at No. 4 and No. 5 with LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers and Washington wide receiver Rome Odunze coming off the board. That set the Giants up at No. 6, and my phone started buzzing.
Trade offer No. 1: The Vikings, as expected, come with their two first-round picks (No. 11 and No. 23 overall) for No. 6 and the Giants’ second round pick (No. 47).
Trade offer No. 2: Did not anticipate the Raiders being this aggressive, but I’m guessing they are QB hunting as well. They offered their first round pick (No. 13 overall), their second round pick (No. 44) and a 2025 second rounder for No. 6 and the Giants’ fourth round pick (No. 107).
Trade offer No. 3: Titans clearly wanted to prevent the Giants from dealing No. 6 to someone else for a player they coveted, so they dangled their second round pick (No. 38) and a swap of one spot plus my third round pick (No. 70). There were several players I liked, and they were graded similarly. My only worry: Tennessee would flip No. 6 immediately to someone else seeking a quarterback. I held out as long as I could, willing to deal with the consequences if the Titans pulled a fast
one.
So I called back Faux Ran Carthon and took the deal with the Titans, who wound up selecting Notre Dame offensive tackle Joe Alt, leaving the two quarterbacks that I believe will be atop the Giants’ board in this scenario.
Round 1, No. 7*
(trade with Titans): Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina
Maye’s greatest strength is also is most concerning weakness. He has no fear of attempting big-time throws and completes a bunch of them, fueling what observers believe gives him a very good chance at succeeding in today’s NFL. But Maye also takes a ton of risks, and that style of play could compromise his standing in the eyes of some evaluators.
To me, Maye and Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy profile as the best fits for Brian Daboll’s offense. They are the youngest signal callers in the class, too, which will allow the Giants to proceed with their plan to start the year with Daniel Jones and then see where the season takes them.
Round 2, No. 38* (trade with Titans): Xavier Legette, WR, South Carolina
Three picks before: Ladd McConkey, WR, Georgia; Tyler Guyton, OT, Oklahoma; Xavier Worthy, WR, Texas
Three picks after: Keon Coleman, WR, Florida State; T.J. Tampa, CB, Iowa State; Cooper Beebe, OG, Kansas State
Breakdown: I feel very good about the talent and potential of Legette on Day 2. He’s an outstanding blend of size (6-foot-1, 221 pounds), speed and athleticism, and Daboll’s offense is set up for receivers who can create opportunities for themselves in space.
Legette has great vertical speed, and he showed that by running a 4.39 40 at the Combine. There have been some comps to Deebo Samuel, given their ties to South Carolina. I have tremendous confidence that the 23-year-old Legette would complement Jalin Hyatt, Wan’Dale Robinson and Darius Slayton, eventually emerging as the No. 1 threat in this passing game.
Round 2, No. 47:
Max Melton, CB, Rutgers
Three picks before: Mike Penix, QB, Washington; Darius Robinson, Edge, Missouri; T’Vondre Sweat, DL, Texas
Three picks after: Bralen Trice, Edge, Washington; Ennis Rakestraw, CB, Mississippi State; Edgerrin Cooper, LB, Texas A&M
Breakdown: At 6-foot and 193 pounds, Melton has shown tremendous versatility on the back end. He can man up on the boundary and his game is complete enough to slide into the slot and challenge for a starting role, either as the nickel or outside as a rookie.
At the Senior Bowl, Melton was timed as the fastest player in 1-on-1 drills, peaking at 20.9 miles per hour. The patience with which he defends the entire route tree is impressive, and situationally, there appears to be no panic in his game. He is sticky in coverage both in the slot and on the boundary.
Melton has also been outstanding on special teams, blocking four punts in his career at Rutgers. Few players have had a better pre-draft run than the South Jersey native, who visited the Giants as part of their local Pro Day.
Round 4, No. 107: Andru Phillips, DB, Kentucky
Three picks before: Josh Newton, CB, TCU; Audric Estime, RB, Notre Dame; Tanor Bortolini, OL, Wisconsin
Three picks after: Mike Pratt, QB, Tulane; Javon Bullard, S, Georgia; Jaden Hicks, S, Washington State
Breakdown: Position versatility is a strength for Phillips, who has played on the boundary, at safety and in the nickel, which is likely his home in the pros. He plays with a competitive edge and finished his final season at Kentucky with 82 total tackles, three tackles for loss, and 10 passes defended. Phillips stood out in Senior Bowl practices. He’s been to the Giants’ facility for a 30 visit, and while his skill set mirrors that of Melton, I love the idea of bringing in more talent on the back end and turning a perceived weakness into a potential strength. The closer we get to the draft, the more likely it will be that, on Day 2, it may end up being Melton OR Phillips, as both have impressed.
Round 5, No. 166:
Theo Johnson, TE, Penn State
Three picks before: Keith Randolph, DT, Illinois; Isaiah Davis, RB, South Dakota State; Sataoa Laumea, OL, Utah
Three picks after: Isaac Guerendo, RB, Louisville; Javon Foster, OT, Missouri; Gabe Hall, DT, Baylor
Breakdown: What will Darren Waller do? If the former Pro Bowler opts for retirement, this outstanding athlete at 6foot-6 and 259 pounds is a potential replacement. Johnson, 23, can make defenses pay on crossers and seam routes, and he impressed at the Senior Bowl with Giants brass in attendance. Johnson offered praise in Mobile for passing game coordinator and quarterbacks coach Shea Tierney, who was his offensive coordinator. Johnson is also willing to do his part in the run game as a blocker.
Round 6, No. 183: Kristian Boyd, DT, Northern Iowa
Three picks before: Tommy Eichenberg, LB, Ohio State; Jordan Whittington, WR, Texas; Tyrone Tracy, RB, Purdue
Three picks after: Justin Cohen, OL, Miami; Jalen Coker, WR, Holy Cross; Mo Kamara, Edge, Colorado State
Breakdown: I figured Boyd would be off the board by now. Since he wasn’t, I pounced. He was a former FCS AllAmercican with 10.5 sacks, 22.5 tackles, and two forced fumbles in six years at Northern Iowa. He showed out at the Hula Bowl and the East-West Shrine Game. On his pro day, Boyd measured in at 6-foot-2 and 329 pounds, and completed 38 reps on the bench press, a school record.
I have no doubt the Giants will be looking to add to the interior defensive line, and Bowen will likely prioritize athleticism over traditional run stoppers. They brought Boyd to East Rutherford for a 30 visit, so clearly they are intrigued by his profile.