Which Draft Underclassmen Would Be Ideal Fits for Giants?
On Tuesday, 34 underclassmen were granted special eligibility for the 2024 NFL Draft. This list isn’t final, however, as the deadline to declare is January 15, but an earlier date of January 5 was set to help with underclassmen now being allowed to participate in college all-star games.
That list is full of players that the New York Giants and other NFL teams will be very interested in. The top five names that grab my interest for the Giants are below, in no particular order, as follows:
North Carolina QB Drake Maye
Since the beginning of the draft evaluation process, Drake Maye has been considered one of the premier quarterback prospects alongside Caleb Williams, who was not on the list of 34 players released, presumably because he has no intention of participating in college all-star events.
Maye should hear his name called early during the first round of the NFL Draft this spring. Depending on who you ask, Maye can land anywhere from QB1 to QB3 in the draft with Williams and Jayden Daniels. It’s possible that if the Giants want to get involved here, a trade-up may be necessary.
Notre Dame OT Joe Alt
Joe Alt has been expected to enter the NFL Draft since before the season, and we’ve talked about him before in mock drafts. He is an elite athlete with technical prowess at left tackle; the question here would be whether he can successfully transition to right tackle, which I think he could.
Given his franchise tackle potential, Alt will hear his name early on Day 1.
Utah DB/RB Sione Vaki
Utah’s Sione Vaki won’t be drafted very early, but he’s arguably the most versatile weapon in the 2024 NFL Draft. Vaki’s film at safety is solid, as he plays with an intensity that few can match and versatility that had him playing throughout the secondary.
What makes Vaki that much more interesting is his dual-threat ability after injuries forced him to play running back this season. Vaki made the move halfway through the season and had 42 carries for 317 yards and two touchdowns, averaging 7.5 yards per carry while adding another 203 receiving yards and three touchdowns on 11 receptions.
I’m curious to see if a team will draft him to play offense and defense rotationally or will have him commit to one side of the ball, and if so, which side will that be?
Penn State EDGE Chop Robinson
First off, Robinson has an elite name for an edge rusher. Second, Robinson will be in the conversation as the first edge rusher to be selected in the draft.
The Giants desperately need help off the edge. Kayvon Thibodeaux’s film is strong at the position, but with impending defensive coordinator changes and a lack of a secondary option, Robinson would be a welcome presence on the roster.
Like a stereotypical Penn State edge, Robinson is an explosive athlete with a few moves in his pass-rush arsenal. He will ultimately need to work on executing those moves, but the traits are there to be an elite pass-rusher at the next level.
Florida State WR Keon Coleman
Talk about an alpha at receiver! Coleman spent his first two seasons at Michigan State before transferring to Florida State before the 2023 season, where his production was inconsistent (as was the rest of the Seminoles receiving corps).
At 6’4’, 215 pounds, Coleman has elite size on the boundary that the Giants have been lacking for years. He ran an NFL route tree at Michigan State and was used mainly as a highball receiver or screen-catcher at Florida State. He’s played at two schools that, with his complete body of work, show his ability to function in various roles and offenses.
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