Three Draft Prospects to Boost Giants Receivers Corps

Who are the more desirable receivers for the Giants on Days 1-3 of the draft? Coach Gene Clemons gives you some names.

Even after adding a bunch of pass catchers this offseason via free agency, it is difficult to imagine a world where the New York Giants do not take a receiver in the draft.

It will be intriguing if they decide to take a receiver in the first round or wait until Day 2 or Day 3 to address the position. It seems they could use a legitimate outside receiver to go with their myriad of slot receivers and off-ball guys, so let's look at some possibilities.

Day 1: Pick 25

By the time the Giants go on the clock at No. 25, there's a good chance that Ohio State's Jaxson Smith-Njigba and Boston College's Zay Flowers are both gone.

That would not necessarily be a bad development because neither receiver fits the profile of the type of receiver that the Giants may be eyeing. However, there's a good chance that TCU's Quentin Johnston will still be available, and he perfectly fits the profile of an X receiver.

Johnston was one of the top receiving threats in the country. At 6-foot-4 and over 200 pounds, Johnston possesses excellent size and length for a wide receiver. He is a deep threat who can stretch the field and make big plays downfield. He has excellent speed and athleticism and can easily separate from defenders.

He is also a technically-sound receiver who can run crisp routes and make tough catches in traffic. He has strong hands and can make catches in contested situations, making him a reliable target on 50/50 passes. He likely would slide in to the role that free agent pickup Isaiah Hodgins, who was re-signed this past off-season, filled last season for New York.

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Day 2: Picks 57 and 89

This is where the Giants are likely to address receivers. Some intriguing prospects may be available to them in the second and third rounds. Will those receivers be household names? Probably not, but they have a chance to be good players who fit a need for the Giants.

That's why a guy like Iowa State All-American Xavier Hutchinson makes so much sense as a Day 2 pick. He checks many boxes for a player that the Giants would covet at that position. He is big and catches the ball with his hands, which makes him a problem for defensive backs.

At 6-foot-2 and 205 pounds, Hutchinson possesses a traditional X receiver frame. He is a physical receiver and uses his size to his advantage in contested situations. He can also line up inside, making him an even more valuable weapon.

He is an excellent route runner who separates defenders with quickness and footwork. His 4.53 speed is plenty fast, and he plays that fast in pads. He has strong hands and can make catches in traffic, making him a reliable target for a quarterback.

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Day 3: Picks 128, 160, 172, 209, 240, 243, and 254

There will be talent at receiver on Day 3, but if the Giants are still looking at measurables, they may need to snatch a receiver early on Day 3. If they have not addressed the pairings to this point or if they took another receiver with more Z or slot credentials, they could still look to add a big-bodied pass catcher.

No more intriguing Day 3 prospect fits the Giants' needs than West Virginia receiver Bryce Ford-Wheaton. Ford-Wheaton is a big (6-foot-4, 221 lbs.) receiver and fast (4.38 forty-yard dash).

So why is he a Day 3 prospect? It's because his production does not match his measurables. Once again, this is what Day 3 is for. At worst, the Giants pick up an ultra-athletic developmental project; at best, they find a full-time X.

Yes, Ford-Wheaton's route tree is limited, but just like D.K. Metcalf, to whom he's been compared, he knows how to get the ball deep, and he's hard to bring down with a head of steam.

Check in on Draft Day for a look at No. 2 and No. 1 of my top five position groups the Giants need to address in the draft. 

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