MOBILE, Ala. — Offseason? What is off-season?
For the Giants coaches and front office staff, the end of the regular season ushered in a new phase without players in the building.
First, we analyzed what went well (not enough) and what went wrong (too much) to produce a 6-11 record.
A concerted effort was then made to ensure that these failures do not cause a reversal in 2024. That leads to plans this week for Giants players to train and scout NFL draft prospects at the Senior Bowl.
The event follows the East-West Shrine Bowl in Frisco, Texas, the first scheduled All-Star Game for college draft prospects.
While the Shrine Bowl and Senior Bowl do not include the top talent selected in the first round on April 25th, there are more than a few quality players who will remain on NFL rosters.
Here are some stories about the Giants’ time on Alabama’s Gulf Coast.
become defensive
It’s almost time for the Giants to select and hire a new defensive coordinator. It feels as if Denard Wilson is the favorite, but now that the Ravens are out of the playoffs, the path to bringing him in is clear. Wilson, 41, completed his first year in Baltimore as the defensive backs coach. He previously coached defensive backs and was the passing game coordinator with the Eagles, and before that he held those roles with the Jets.
Wilson has already met twice with head coach Brian Daboll, and a final decision between Wilson and possibly another candidate could be made this week. The Rams and Titans also have interest in Wilson. Wink Martindale has yet to be traded to another team after an unpleasant mutual split with the Giants.
The Giants will not lose an assistant general manager, as Brandon Brown did not take the general manager job with the Chargers. On Monday, Ravens director of player personnel Joe Horitz was reportedly hired for the role. Brown interviewed twice with the Chargers and also met with the Panthers for the GM job given to Dan Morgan. If Brown had left for the general manager job, the Giants would have received additional third-round draft picks in 2024 and 2025. Brown came to the Giants from the Eagles in 2023.
Check out QB
No, Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, and Jaden Daniels are not here. These three, probably in that order, are considered the top quarterbacks in this draft, and if the Bears, Commanders, and Patriots all go that route, they’ll probably go first, second, and third in the first round. It may come off. Most of the next tier quarterbacks will be competing at the Senior Bowl and showcasing their skills.
The Giants have the No. 6 overall pick. If they choose to find and select an eventual replacement for Daniel Jones, they may show interest in Oregon’s Bo Nix. Other quarterbacks in the Senior Bowl include Michael Penix Jr. (Washington), Sam Hartman (Notre Dame), Spencer Rattler (South Carolina), or Joe Milton (Tennessee).
Keep in mind that there are multiple rounds in the draft, and the Giants could be in the quarterback market on Day 2 (Rounds 2 and 3). The Knicks can expect his stock to rise with a solid week here based on his physical skills.
gain an advantage
Mobile’s top overall candidate this week is probably UCLA edge rusher Laiatu Latu. Wouldn’t you know, the Giants have a clear need at that spot, and no other defender other than Kayvon Thibodeau (11.5 sacks) in 2023 comes close to double digits in sacks.
Is number 6 too expensive for Latu? That’s probably true, but the Giants will likely keep an eye on a player who had 13 sacks and a whopping 21.5 tackles for loss last season.
Latu is looking to be the first edge rusher off the board in a three-way competition with Dallas Turner (Alabama) and Jared Verse (Florida State).
protection plan
You can’t get past the Giants’ list of failures without a high-flying offensive line. This unit was truly offensive in 2023, recording a franchise-record 85 sacks.
They are set with Andrew Thomas at left tackle, but there is no way this team can go into next season with Evan Neal as the starting right tackle without increasing competition. That’s how disastrously bad (and injury-riddled) Neal, the No. 7 overall pick in 2022, was in his second NFL season.
The top offensive tackle in this draft will not be playing in the Senior Bowl. The best player here is Talese Fuaga from Oregon State, who is expected to advance to the first round. His fit in the NFL: Right tackle.
upward mobility
This week will be an opportunity for two members of Daboll’s staff to move up a notch in their roles with the Giants. Giants quarterbacks coach Shay Tierney will serve as the national team’s offensive coordinator.
Mike Adams, the Giants’ special teams assistant coach, will become the USA team’s special teams coordinator. Tierney and Adams will fill those roles throughout the week of practice and Saturday’s actual game. T
This is the second year the Senior Bowl has implemented a “coach up” format. Head coaches and general managers of all non-playoff teams and wild card teams will be given the opportunity to nominate assistant coaches for these promotions, with candidates selected by a group of NFL executives and General Manager Advisory Committee representatives. Ta.
