There are three big surprises in the Giants’ 2024 NFL Draft class.
General manager Joe Schon didn’t use any of his six quarterback picks, didn’t mention the offensive or defensive lines, and didn’t trade up or down at any point during the seven rounds. His last two points are a big departure from his strategy in his first two drafts with Shane in charge.
The Giants were faster and more athletic on both sides of the ball, evenly split between three offensive and three defensive players.
Below is the ranking of the Giants’ draft class according to the Post.
Round 1, 6th overall: Malik Nabers (WR, LSU) (A-)
The Giants wanted quarterback Drake Maye, but a trade package to move up to No. 3 was rejected by the Patriots.
It wasn’t a bad pivot, with some teams reportedly grading Nabors as the No. 1 receiver and No. 2 overall player. The Giants ranked receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. higher than Neighbors, but Harrison went No. 4.
Nabers, the all-time leading receiver in a program that produced Odell Beckham Jr., Ja’Marr Chase and Justin Jefferson, should be the high-volume No. 1 target the Giants have been searching for since trading Beckham. is. He should be a playmaker to watch in Saquon Barkley’s first year on the job.
Nabors also checks two boxes that head coach Brian Daboll looks for in a receiver: He gets easy separation and he has inside/outside versatility.
For Schoen, Nabers’ reputation for not missing practice or games even when injured is especially important since the Giants have had the most injured players missing games in the past decade, according to various analysis sites. It seems like it was big.
Nabors is notorious for demanding the ball, so one wonders if he would get frustrated if the Giants’ passing attack sputtered, as it has for most of quarterback Daniel Jones’ career.
The only reason for withdrawing this pick is the amount of time spent scouting top quarterbacks. Shane has to hope that Michael Penix Jr. (Falcons No. 8), JJ McCarthy (Vikings No. 10) and Bo Nix (Broncos No. 12) come back and don’t give him a hard time.
Round 2, 47th overall: Tyler Nubin (S, Minnesota) (B+)
New defensive coordinator Shane Bowen’s system emphasizes ball-hawking safety. Enter Nubin, who has 13 interceptions in his career.
Nubin is the definition of the motto preached by Shane and Daboll: “Smart, Tough, Dependable.” Name him as a starter.
Would the Giants have preferred a starting cornerback here? Probably, but four of the seven picks went in before the deadline expired. This is reminiscent of when the Giants gave the Panthers a second-round pick in a package for pass rusher Brian Burns, keeping them at No. 47, including No. 39.
Nubin helps with downhill running, but his man-to-man coverage speed is questionable. Time will tell if that’s because he was playing with a torn meniscus that required offseason surgery.
Round 3 70th overall: Drew Phillips (CB, Kentucky) (C+)
For the second time in three seasons, the Giants have taken a cornerback spot in the third round (Cordale Flott in 2022).
What was really needed was an outside cornerback to start across from Deonte Banks.
The job is currently held by special teamer and super sub Nick MacLeod. Perhaps the plan is to try to move Flott again or sign a cheap veteran now that the draft is over.
Phillips has zero interceptions in 38 games in his career despite appearing in more than 600 coverage over the past two seasons, but as a big hitter “he’s going to bring an edge,” Daboll said. He had two-way security as the top 30 players visited the team facility before the draft.
Round 4, 107th overall: Theo Johnson (TE, Penn State) (C-)
The Giants are preparing for the retirement of Darren Waller.
But if Johnson is going to surpass Daniel Bellinger in snap counts, he’ll need to become a bigger passing threat than he was in college, when he had 77 catches for 938 yards in his career. It’s possible given his size (6 feet 6 inches), catch radius, and athleticism, but most of his receptions came down the field, not down the field.
Johnson’s blocking also needs improvement.
Interesting choice – perhaps forcing a need? – even though Johnson gained some traction in the third round.
Round 5, 166th overall: Tyrone Tracy (RB, Purdue) (C)
After playing receiver for five seasons (four at pass-challenged Iowa), Tracy switched positions and averaged 6.3 yards per carry and eight touchdowns.
Schoen predicted that the NFL’s new kickoff rules could change the way teams draft on Day 3. Yes, Tracy felt like a special teams pick after finishing second in the Big Ten with 428 kickoff return yards on 17 attempts. Touchdown.
It may have been a premature pick for a returner, but the Giants lacked a threat in that area for what felt like forever until Gunner Olszewski arrived midway through last season. Tracy also stood in kickoff and punt coverage.
Round 6, 183rd overall: LB Darius Muasau (LB, UCLA) (C)
Muasau was a tackling machine, scoring 440 points (40 of them in losses) and starting 51 career games at Hawaii and UCLA. He was named Hawaii’s special teams MVP as a freshman and was named all-conference four times, according to The Athletic.
Will he be able to give third-year pro Micah McFadden more playing time in the rundown next to stud inside linebacker Bobby Okereke?
Another example of the theme of durability in draft classes: He played in 63 consecutive games.
