I know, I know. I released my first very early mock draft for the New York Football Giants last week. This may be the last one until we reach the offseason. But, hey why not release another one to you all? After all, we witnessed another blowout as the Dallas Cowboys demolished Big Blue 49-17. So, let’s try to have some fun here and look at who the team should acquire in the draft. This is my very early New York Giants Mock Draft 2.0.
We’re going to go three rounds this time. Here we go! We’ll be using Pro Football Focus’s Mock Draft Simulator, just like the first mock.
First Round, Pick 2: Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State
Arguably the best receiver in college football, New York finally lands their best wideout since the days of Odell Beckham Jr.
Yes, this upcoming draft has plenty of studs at wide receiver like Keon Coleman, Malik Nabers, and Xavier Worthy. But, none of these guys are close to the level of Harrison Jr.
Through ten games, the Buckeye has 59 catches for 1,063 yards and 12 touchdowns. Clearly the WR1 for Ohio State, he will fill in the same role for whatever team he joins.
Let’s not forget what he will importantly bring to this team: size and athleticism. Standing at 6’4″, he has the ability to win one-on-one matchups most of the time and the speed will strike fear into secondaries across the NFL.
Marvin Harrison Jr. tonight:
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) November 12, 2023
7 REC
149 YDS
3 TOT TD
DIFFERENT. ? pic.twitter.com/CV9QwXApJX
For the Giants, they have been craving for a star wideout for years. Whoever is playing quarterback needs someone dependable to throw the ball to. No more of depending on WR3/WR4 type of guys to lead your receiver corps. Harrison Jr. automatically cements himself as the team’s leading receiver on the depth chart.
Second Round, Pick 34: Kris Jenkins, DL, Michigan
It’s clear the Giants miss Leonard Williams. New York has failed to have any sort of pass rush in their past two games. I’m not saying Williams was an intimidating pass-rusher, but he was one of the keys to success on that defensive line. Also, he is a better pass rusher than Rakeem Nunez-Roches, A’Shawn Robinson, and whoever the Giants want to plug next to Dexter Lawrence for the rest of the season. Losing him hurts more than we thought it would be. Especially when Seattle is doing better with him.
Leonard Williams was an absolute monster yesterday. Every sack the Seahawks had either happened because of the dirty work he did or was directly made by him.
— Corbin K. Smith (@CorbinSmithNFL) November 13, 2023
Who can replace him?
Enter Jenkins, who ranks as one of the best defensive linemen in college football. An 82.0 PFF grade is among the best at the position and is great at stopping the run. In terms of pass rush, he has a win rate of 11.7%, which (you guessed it) is among the top of the ranks.
Kris Jenkins has been named a semifinalist for the Chuck Bednarik Award, presented annually to the most outstanding defensive player in college football.#GoBlue pic.twitter.com/Vx2dS4Z1Ct
— Michigan Football (@UMichFootball) November 13, 2023
Through ten games this year, he has just two sacks. But, ten hurries show he will make the quarterback uncomfortable. That’s important for a Giants team that needs some juice at defensive tackle in a 3-4 scheme.
Round Two, Pick 58: Mohamed Kamara, EDGE, Colorado State
Once again, back to addressing the defense. This time, we go with Kamara (no relation to Alvin Kamara).
Looking at the depth chart, there is really not much to be excited about at the defensive end with Jihad Ward on one end and A’Shawn Robinson on the other. They don’t provide the skills needed to rush the passer consistently.
Enter Kamara, who’s had a terrific year thus far for the Rams. His 11.5 sacks rank him fourth-best in the entire nation, translating to a 90.3 pass-rush grade according to PFF. He has a high win rate rushing the passer at 19%, which is among the best for edge rushers.
With it being his fifth year at Colorado State, it’s safe to say he has definitely matured during his time in college and is ready for the professional level. His numbers have improved every single year, which is a great sign.
Colorado State’s Mohamed Kamara has been wrecking Colorado’s offensive line tonight.
— Seven Rounds in Heaven (@7RoundsInHeaven) September 17, 2023
Kamara, who has two sacks in the first half, is one of the top G5 pass rushers in the 2024 NFL Draft class. pic.twitter.com/R1eK9EycfO
Defensive coordinator Wink Martindale could use (again) some juice in the pass rush. Kamara would be an excellent choice and make this defense more formidable.
Third Round, Pick 68: TRADED TO THE BEARS FOR… JUSTIN FIELDS?
*trade: Chicago Bears receive pick 68, 2024 second-round pick for Justin Fields
Look, the Giants need a quarterback, right? Why not Fields, who the Bears will likely give up on if they get the first overall pick and have a chance at drafting Caleb Williams.
The package isn’t too much, and head coach Brian Daboll would love to have a dynamic and explosive weapon at the most important position in football. Fields’s ability to create plays with his legs (better than Daniel Jones, in all honesty) and a solid arm would be perfect for this offense.
Pair Fields up with the rookie in Harrison Jr and a running back in Saquon Barkley along with the other weapons New York will have, and you have yourselves an improved offense.
His days of despair in Chicago are over with this trade. A better franchise plus better coaching in East Rutherford awaits. His numbers in 2022 were great (2,242 passing yards + 1,143 rushing yards, 25 total touchdowns). He could replicate those numbers here with Big Blue if used correctly.
Still just 24 years old, he can be the franchise quarterback for years to come.
Not a bad ending to my very early New York Giants Mock Draft 2.0, right? Sure it’s three rounds but we’ll get to seven rounds eventually.
Thank you for reading my “Very Early New York Giants Mock Draft 2.0“. Make sure to visit Belly Up Sports every week and follow me on Twitter/X! Also, check out The Case and Nate Podcast on Spotify and on YouTube, where we discuss everything about the NFL.
Featured Image: David Eulitt/Getty Images
