Receiver Over Projected Top QB? That’s What This Mock Draft Projects for Giants
Would the New York Giants potentially pass on an opportunity to draft one of the top quarterbacks in this class in favor of a receiver?
That is the scenario Ryan McCrystal of Sharp Football Analysis laid out for his mock draft, a draft in which North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye, widely regarded by many draft analysts to be in the same bracket as USC's Caleb Williams and LSU's Jayden Daniels, falls past the Giants at No. 6 and to the Minnesota Vikings at No. 11.
With the Giants passing on Maye, McCrystal projects New York taking Washington wide receiver Rome Odunze, who is among the top wide receivers of the class, up there with Harrison Jr and LSU’s Malik Nabers.
“The Giants stocked up on mediocre slot receivers last offseason, none of whom impressed," McCrystal wrote. "If they want to give Jones a legitimate shot at living up to his contract, they must give him a capable No. 1 weapon. Marvin Harrison Jr, Rome Odunze, and Malik Nabers are all viable options.”
While the Giants still need a quarterback, landing Odunze wouldn't be such a bad development. Odunze is coming from a monster season at Washington, where he had 92 catches, 1,640 yards, and 13 touchdowns while averaging 17.8 yards per reception.
Odunze’s big frame at 6-foot-3, 213 pounds allows him to make contested catches easily. He has strong hands and a large catch radius. While he doesn’t have blazing speed, he does run crisp routes and excels in yards after the catch.
Of course, if the Giants go this route, questions will likely remain about the quarterback situation. General manager Joe Schoen has already said the expectation is for Jones to be the starter when he's healthy. But would Schoen, who is certain to add a veteran backup capable of starting and winning a few games if Jones doesn't get the green light in time for the start of the season, eschew drafting a young quarterback in the second round where he has two picks?
That’s a big risk, as there’s skepticism amongst fans about whether Jones can improve. While his 2023 season was cut short, there were eye-opening plays left out on the field, most notably how after head coach Brian Daboll and the offensive staff added another layer to the offense in a quest to make it more vertical, only to see Jones, before his season-ending ACL injury, fail to elevate his play in all but two quarters of football, those coming int he second half against the Arizona Cardinals.
Schoen has not ruled out drafting a quarterback, and it's hard to imagine that he wouldn't add to the group regardless of who gets signed in free agency. Jones is not only coming off the ACL but has also dealt with two neck injuries in three seasons, making him even more of a healthwise risk to rely on moving forward.
