Draft Analyst Consensus Says This Position Is Giants' Biggest Need
The New York Giants gave quarterback Daniel Jones $160 million, but the process to build around him has, at best, occurred at a snail's pace.
Under head coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen, the only thing Jones has had going for him is the running game, as headlined by Saquon Barkley. Otherwise, his offensive line has done a poor job of protecting him, allowing a whopping 81 sacks over the last two years.
As for his receivers, Jones has continued to lack a legitimate No. 1 receiver capable of drawing double coverage. The Giants thought they might get that in tight end Darren Waller, but Waller's recent injury history reared its ugly head.
Jones's receiving targets have dropped 34 balls over the last two seasons. If that's not bad enough, the quarterback has also seen his average depth of target (ADOT) drop in the Daboll offense down to 6.5 and 6.9 yards over the last two years, the first time his ADOT has been under 7.0 yards per attempt.
So it's not a surprise that the leading NFL draft analysts agree that addressing the offensive side of the ball is the Giants best bet, the picks coming down not to quarterback, as some Giants fans likely hope, but to either a receiver or an offensive lineman.
According to a compilation of first-round draft projections by leading draft analysts, the consensus is the receiver.
NFL.com's Bucky Brooks likes Washington receiver Rome Odunze for the Giants, stating, "If the Giants are going to continue with Daniel Jones as their QB1, they must add a legitimate No. 1 receiver to help the quarterback thrive. As a catch-and-run specialist with superior strength and power, Odunze could make the game easier for Jones."
Brooks's NFL.com colleague, Eric Edholm, agrees with making a receiver the first pick, but his choice is LSU's Malik Nabers. Nabers was quarterback Jayden Daniels' primary receiver during his Heisman-winning season and a receiver that registered over 1,000 receiving yards in his last two seasons at LSU, topping over 1,500 yards last season.
"I strongly considered Rome Odunze here, but Nabers might have a slightly higher ceiling, giving Brian Daboll a cross between, say, Stefon Diggs and DJ Moore as his top wideout," Edholm wrote. "This offense needs help in a number of areas, but the WR talent might be too rich to pass up at this spot."
NFL Media Analyst Daniel Jeremiah agrees with Edholm's pick, noting, "This continues the Giants’ quest from last offseason to add team speed. Nabers is the most explosive wideout in the draft."
So does ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr, who believes Nabers can be that No. 1 receiver Jones has never had at the NFL level.
"I keep coming back to getting (Daniel) Jones more help, as he has never played with a true No. 1 wide receiver. Nabers could be that," Kiper wrote. "He's coming off an 89-catch, 1,569-yard season catching passes from Jayden Daniels, and he has a rare combination of speed and route-running ability. He led the FBS with 17 catches of 30-plus yards."
While receiver was the popular consensus, some did make compelling arguments for additional offensive line help.
NFL.com's Lance Zierlein mocked Oregon State's Taliese Fuaga to the Giants, noting, "Fuaga is one of the finest pass protectors in the draft, and some see him as a guard/tackle. He gives the Giants flexibility with where they'll play Evan Neal."
Nick Baumgardner of The Athletic and Trevor Sikkema of Pro Football Focus both like Notre Dame offensive tackle Joe Alt to Big Blue.
Overall, it likely makes more sense for the Giants to use their first-round draft pick on a top pass catcher from a deep crop of receivers in this draft class. Adding a player such as Nabers could help a Giants receiving corp that right now projects to consist of Darius Slayton, Wan'Dale Robinson, and Jalin Hyatt elevate their game to a new level as a WR1 would draw more focus by the defense, thereby opening up more opportunities for others to make plays.
The offensive line? While it's tempting to add yet another offensive lineman to a unit that right now has three premium picks since 2020 (left tackle Andrew Thomas, right tackle Evan Neal, both first-rounders; center John Michael Schmitz, a second-rounder, and guard/tackle Joshua Ezeudu, a third-rounder), serviceable linemen are usually remaining after the first round whereas top-tier wide receivers are not.
The Giants are counting on new offensive line coach Carmen Bricillo to coach up the holdovers so that they elevate their game. It also likely makes a lot of sense for the Giants to add a veteran to the group in free agency, whereas going receiver at No. 6 would be the quickest route to turning the Giants' offense around regardless of who the quarterback is.
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