2023 NFL Draft: New York Giants Meeting with Possible First-Round Pick USC Wide Receiver Jordan Addison
The New York Giants have been making significant investments in their offense this offseason, including signing quarterback Daniel Jones to a long-term deal and trading for tight end Darren Waller. The 2023 NFL Draft might continue that trend. Reports indicate that the Giants are doing their due diligence on the top wide receivers in the 2023 class, and the team is even meeting with USC standout Jordan Addison—among other wide receivers—as the draft approaches.
The Giants hold the No. 25 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. They also hold a few other selections, including the No. 57 overall pick (a second-round choice) and the No. 89 overall choice (a third-round pick). Adding a wide receiver with an early pick would make a lot of sense for the Giants, given their lack of starpower at the position.
At one point, Addison looked like he would be the first receiver off the board. As other pass catchers—like TCU’s Quentin Johnston—have entered the draft picture, Addison has faded a bit from the foreground. Still, he would represent decent value at No. 25 for a wideout-starved Giants team that could use a technically sound player like Addison on its roster.
The Giants have a few decent wide receivers, including free agent signing Parris Campbell. And New York is holding out hope that 2022 second-round pick Wan’Dale Robinson blossoms into an effective playmaker. But the team needs a No. 1 wideout to help Daniel Jones make the most of head coach Brian Daboll’s offensive scheme.
Don’t forget—Daboll was the offensive coordinator of the Buffalo Bills when Josh Allen and Stefon Diggs took the league by storm a couple of years ago. And from Justin Jefferson to Ja’Marr Chase, the last few years have shown us what a difference having a true No. 1 wide receiver can make for a ballclub.
Perhaps Addison is that player. He was the 2021 Biletnikoff Award winner (given to the best wide receiver in college football), putting up insane numbers as quarterback Kenny Pickett’s No. 1 target at Pittsburgh. He transferred to USC last year and took a step back in terms of numbers, but he nevertheless led the Trojans in receiving. Addison is a bit undersized and lacks elite athleticism; still, he has the route running ability and feel for the position to be tremendously effective at the next level.
Some other receivers who could be on the Giants radar for the 25th pick are Boston College’s Zay Flowers, Tennessee’s Jalin Hyatt, and UNC’s Josh Downs. Oklahoma wideout Marvin Mims also appears to be in the mix.
