We are two weeks away from the NFL Draft. It’s an excuse to release another mock draft for the New York Giants. Let’s go.
Round 1, Pick 6: WR Rome Odunze, Washington
The electric wideout was available for the Giants after Malik Nabers and Marvin Harrison Jr. went ahead of him. With the top three quarterbacks also off the board, the safe thing to do was add a WR1 to the team.
Odunze is a starter from the jump, standing at 6’3″ and 212 lbs. His 4.45 40-yard dash shows his great speed and is just a simple playmaker. His separation also stands out and will cause headaches with his elite skillset and strong hands.
Whoever is under center needs a true WR1. Odunze fills that role easily.
Round 2, Pick 47: CB Kamari Lassiter, Georgia
Another glaring need is the cornerback position. The Giants need someone opposite of Deonte Banks.
Lassiter led Georgia with eight pass breakups in 2023 while starting all 14 games. He’s athletic and competitive enough to play solid press coverage and also zone. The prospect is physical and is good at reading the receiver’s eyes to help guard them. Run support-wise, he’s going to contribute a lot there too.
In the end, he’s a guy that plays hard and upgrades the position group.
Round 3, Pick 70: G Christian Haynes, UConn
The Huskies’ four-year starter showed he’s ready for the NFL. He’s powerful, compact, and has a solid IQ. He played specifically right guard during his time in Washington, which is a position the Giants could use an upgrade at.
*trade: Giants receive picks 121 and 136 from Broncos for 107
Round 4, Pick 121: RB Audric Estime, Notre Dame
The plus-sized running back is going to be a bruiser for the G-Men. His power and balance stand out along with the ability to bounce off defenders and run through contract. Also, his vision and footwork are really good, and is a good enough pass protector to be an every-down back. He isn’t the fastest guy out there, but has enough burst and will make explosive plays as he ramps up.
Round 5, Pick 136: QB Jordan Travis, Florida State
There’s the quarterback. In 11 games last year, Travis recorded a PFF grade of 87.8, marking three straight seasons of being among the best in college football in terms of that. Though he only threw for 2,755 yards and 20 touchdowns, he displayed his mobility and accuracy during his time as a Seminole.
Many remember him for fracturing his leg on November 18, 2023. But, he’ll be ready for the 2024 season. He’s an athlete with the ability to run a play-action and RPO offense nicely. Though he’s one of the smaller quarterbacks in the draft and has “small hands” when controlling the ball, you can’t deny his competitiveness.
I like him as a developmental guy, with a chance to become a starter over time. If the Giants will roll with Daniel Jones/Drew Lock in 2024, why not Travis?
Round 5, Pick 166: S Jaylin Simpson, Auburn
Adding more depth at safety, Simpson is more on the lighter side of things when it comes to weight. During his time as a Tiger, he was mostly a cornerback before going to safety in 2023.
His long speed and fluidity helped him stand out in his new position, and can also play in the slot if assigned to at the next level. The only concern is his ability to be physical because of his weight. Bulking up and continuing to work on spacing will be necessary. But, his cornerback skills and footwork make him intriguing.
Round 6, Pick 183: TE AJ Barner, Michigan
Add another tight end to the team, shall we? Barner will start likely as a TE2/3 for the Giants, depending on the status of Darren Waller. He’s a great blocker and improved his speed off of the line of scrimmage to help get open for his quarterback. His 6’6″ size will help him in the receiving game, no doubt.
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Featured Image: Grant Halverson/Getty Images
