A Super Early 2024 Giants Mock Draft

Because why not?

Author:
Brandon Olsen
Publish date:
Oct 28, 2023 1:00 PM EDT

In this story:

We’re not even halfway through the NFL season, and some Giants fans have given up on the season completely, and some see a path to redemption. The organization, however, is looking into salvaging the season while also looking to build for the future. With that said, it’s time to take a look at some mock draft scenarios.

These mocks will mostly be based on what I would do in this scenario if these players were available. I used Pro Football Network’s mock draft simulator for this, and while trades are possible, I generally avoid making trades on in-season mock drafts.

Round 1, Pick 5: Penn State OT Olu Fashanu

This isn’t a situation in which I’m saying it’s over for Evan Neal and that the Giants should cut bait. The fact of the matter, however, is that Neal has struggled to adjust to the NFL level to this point. One of the reasons I was a fan of drafting Neal early was that he had experience playing both tackle spots and left guard while he was at Alabama.

This 2023 season, every pass-rusher has found success against this horrid Giants offensive line. Guards on this Giants line have allowed 44 pressures so far, which is less than ideal for any quarterback.

In this scenario, the Giants would bump Neal to the interior and play him back at left guard. Is that the spot where he finally puts it together? Maybe, maybe not, but it’s been evident to this point that right tackle isn’t working. There’s still time to bounce back, but at this point, things aren’t working.

I considered adding to the cornerback room here, but Kool-Aid McKinstry was selected already. I don’t prioritize EDGE in this class because of the expected strong edge rusher free agency group and deep draft class.

Round 2, Pick 36: Oregon QB Bo Nix

Daniel Jones is dealing with a neck injury that could keep him out for a long time, even potentially the rest of the 2023 season. This is the second time in his NFL career that Jones has had a neck injury to cause him to miss time. Even without the injury, though, the Giants should be looking into drafting a quarterback early in the 2024 NFL Draft. Allow me to introduce you to Oregon QB Bo Nix.

Nix is one of the most experienced quarterbacks in college football, and over the past two seasons, he’s established himself as a dynamic dual-threat who’s made progress. Earlier in his career, Nix struggled immensely with pressure, holding onto the ball too long and forcing throws that were dangerous passes.

Since arriving in Oregon, not only has Nix been operating in an offense that allows him to thrive, he’s taken genuine strides in his development. Nix has almost eliminated the turnovers and has just ten turnover-worthy plays in his season and a half in Eugene.

The Giants can get out of Jones’ contract after the 2024 season and save themselves some cap room while also looking toward the future. In a world with trades in the mock draft, I would trade up to the back end of the first round to take Nix and secure a fifth-year option.

Round 3, Pick 67: Missouri LB Ty’Ron Hopper

Wink Martindale’s favorite coverage is Cover 1--it always has been. In recent weeks, Martindale’s called some more conservative game plans to help this offense and to help this secondary, but at his core, Wink will likely look to get back to his bread and butter.

In this draft class, there’s a player who can be looked at as a perfect fit for Martindale’s defense in Missouri linebacker Ty’Ron Hopper. Hopper’s a tremendous athlete on the second level and played for the Florida Gators and Missouri Tigers. Both of those defensive systems required him to play plenty of Cover 1.

Where Hopper has also shown promise as an off-ball blitzer. One of the best traits an off-ball linebacker can have as a blitzer is a quick first step, and there are few with a first step as quick as Hopper in the nation right now, not just in the NFL Draft.

Adding Hopper would be great value here and give the roster more versatility with their front seven. A combination of Okereke, Simmons, and Hopper would give Martindale a linebacker trio that can line up in multiple spots, operate in coverage, rush the passer, and defend the run.

Round 4, Pick 102: Michigan IOL Zak Zinter

Remember how I said the Giants offensive guards have allowed 44 pressures this season, so the Giants can consider bumping Evan Neal to left guard? Let’s address the right guard position on Day 3.

There’s a very large man up in Ann Arbor who’s been completely dominant in Zak Zinter. Zinter’s allowed just four pressures this entire season so far, including three against a Michigan State defense that blitzed at an absurd rate.

Zinter has found his rhythm in the run game as well, working in a Michigan offense that operated both zone and gap-blocking schemes, making him a strong candidate to be a scheme-versatile offensive lineman in the NFL.

Drafting Zinter would allow the Giants to have him as either an immediate contributor or developmental option, depending on his personal development and any decisions the Giants make about Mark Glowinski. Glowinski’s contract expires after 2024, but the Giants have wiggle room with his contract after this season.

Round 5, Pick 133: UCLA WR J. Michael Sturdivant

For the past few years, the Giants have struggled to find consistent production out of the wide receiver spot. It isn’t for lack of trying; the Giants have used the draft and free agency to try and improve the position, but they haven’t been able to find any success.

In the fifth round, this leaves the door open for the Giants to add another receiver to the room in J. Michael Sturdivant. Sturdivant presents a size and athleticism profile that the Giants haven’t had on the boundary in years. Still, he also works out of the slot in this UCLA defense on about 25% of his snaps, showing inside-out versatility that Brian Daboll could use as a weapon.

Production hasn’t been there for Strudivant or any other UCLA receiver, but he’s shown on film his ability to get vertical and win contested catches. At his previous stop at Cal, Sturdivant made the most out of nothing and has continued to put out strong film at his new landing spot.

Round 6, Pick 164: Kentucky RB Ray Davis

Raise your hand if you have ever felt personally victimized by Kentucky Wildcats running back Ray Davis. As the host of Locked On Gators, it was an absolute pain to watch the performance that Davis put on against the Gators.

Ray Davis vs Florida: 26 carries, 280 rushing yards, three rushing touchdowns, 216 yards after contact, 11 broken tackles, eight carries of 10+ yards, and a 9-yard touchdown on his only catch of the game.

Davis has been pummeling defenses in his entire career, specifically this season. Davis has high-level power, above-average vision, and the speed to create explosives on the ground.

As a pass-protector, Davis shows effort and the ability to identify his assignment. His technique needs work, but the effort and IQ are there, so with Saquon Barkley and Matt Breida approaching impending free agency, a back that can function as pass protection is needed.

Even if Barkley is extended long-term, Davis would present a physical style that can be relied upon to give Barkley some more rest and keep him fresh.