Daniel Jeremiah Believes This Position Group (and Giants' Need) is Deep

NFL.com draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah is bullish on one specific position group in this year’s NFL draft class, a position that just so happens to be a significant need for the New York Giants.

That position group happens to be the cornerbacks, for which Jeremiah estimated 20 players to be worthy of grades falling within the first three rounds.

“I think it's a better corner group than the receiver group,” Jeremiah said during a national conference call with reporters Friday.

Jeremiah specifically mentioned Devon Witherspoon (Illinois), Christian Gonzalez (Oregon), and Joey Porter, Jr (Penn State) as among his top cornerback prospects.

Other names he mentioned include Kelee Ringo (Georgia), Deonte Banks (Maryland), Tyrique Stevenson (Miami), D.J. Turner(Michigan), Jartavius Martin (Illinois), Riley Moss (Iowa), and Julius Brents (Kansas State).

“When I talk about those corners carrying top three round grades, I think those guys are all starters,” Jeremiah said. “Whether you want to say he is a No. 2 corner, whatever, he is out on the field when the starting line-up rolls out there. I think there are 20 of those guys.”

The Giants cornerback depth was significantly tested last season, starting with the team being forced to part with veteran James Bradberry due to salary cap reasons. Plans to pair Aaron Robinson and Adoree’ Jackson as the starters on the outside fell apart when Robinson couldn’t stay on the field, first with an appendectomy in Week 2 and then later with a season-ending knee injury.

Jackson also missed a chunk of the season with a sprained knee., leaving the team to roll with Fabian Moreau, Nick McCloud, and rookie Cor’Dale Flott as their three main guys.

Jackson is entering the final year of his contract—he has a voidable year in 2024--and carries a $19 million cap number for 2023. If the Giants were to part with him this year, they could save $8.599 million and take a $10.476 million dead money hit if he’s a pre-June 1 cut versus an $11.588 million savings with a $7.488 million dead money hit this year and a $2.988 million dead money hit in 2024.

While the Giants still need to see what they will be able to do via free agency—that could all hinge on whether they have to use the franchise tag on quarterback Daniel Jones and, if so, for how long—if the Giants are looking to shore up their cornerback group to help the pass rush, this year would certainly be a good one to do so.

Jeremiah also opined that the 2023 draft class was strong in some other areas that align with the Giants’ needs, such as edge rusher, tight ends (of which he called “the best I've seen in the last ten years”), and running backs.

The Giants drafted Daniel Bellinger last year in the fourth round, and he has shown that he can be a solid contributor. Although they signed Lawrence Cager, Dre Miller, and Chris Myarick back to potentially compete for roster spots, it would be surprising if the Giants decide not to dip into the tight end class for a complement to Bellinger.

“I have 11 tight ends that I have top three round grades on, which is a ridiculous number,” Jeremiah said. “It is just a really good group.”

Jeremiah mentioned Dalton Kincaid (Utah) as one of his favorite players to watch in this draft. “I think he is one of the best players in the draft. He is just sudden in everything that he does. He separates. He is outstanding after the catch,” he said.

“You know, he can win on contact over the middle of the field. He is really good after the catch. You know, as a blocker, he is going to more shield you and wall off.”

Other tight ends Jeremiah mentioned include Notre Dame’s Michael Mayer (“a good overall tight end, good blocker”), Georgia’s Darnell Washington (“he is like playing with a sixth offensive lineman in the run game”), Oregon State’s Luke Musgrave (“could go in the first round”); Sam LaPorta (Iowa), Tucker Kraft (South Dakota State), Davis Allen (Clemson), Payne Durham (Purdue), Luke Schoonmaker (Michigan), Brenton Strange (Penn State), and Josh Wiley (Cincinnati).

The Giants probably wouldn’t mind adding to their edge rusher group, where they currently have Kayvon Thibodeaux, Azeez Ojulari, and Elerson Smith under contract, and Jihad Ward and Oshane Ximines set to be unrestricted free agents.

Last season, the Giants edge rushers combined for 14 sacks. Part of that was due to injuries--Ojulari missed ten games with lower body injuries while Smith was sidelined for a second straight season with his own ailments. Regardless, it’s clear that the unit could use some more firepower.

According to Jeremiah, running back is also an interesting and deep position to watch. The Giants remain hopeful of having Saquon Barkley back, but that might hinge on what happens with Jones.

Even if the Giants get Jones signed before the March 7 deadline to use the tag, Barkley, who finally had a healthy season in which he was highly productive, just turned 26, while Matt Breida is set to be an unrestricted free agent. Landing a solid No. 2 running back behind Barkley (assuming he re-signs) on Day 3 would likely be great value for the Giants’ running game.

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