Giants Positioned for Major Roster Changes

It seems like the Giants are ready to make some serious upgrades to their roster.

Of course, saying it so casually doesn’t quite capture the tension of the past week, particularly the financial dispute between the team and player. And this isn’t just any player. Dexter Lawrence was arguably the Giants’ best player in recent years, but that’s set to change come 2025. This friction led Lawrence to establish a hard line, prompting the Giants to agree to his request for a trade.

He’s on his way to Cincinnati and the Giants will receive the No. 10 pick in Thursday’s draft. This positions them as potentially significant players on draft night. While six teams have two first-round picks, the Giants stand out as the only team with two within the top 10. They also hold the No. 5 pick, thanks to their poor 4-13 record last season. The Jets are the closest in terms of draft positioning, with picks at No. 2 and No. 16.

Instead of hunting for a single impactful player, the Giants can aim to secure two players who could be immediate starters. This is a tremendous opportunity for new head coach John Harbaugh, as he’s never had two first-round picks in the same draft during his lengthy tenure with the Ravens. To put this into perspective, Harbaugh’s highest draft pick scenario in Baltimore was the No. 6 pick back in 2016, used to select offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley. Now, he can attempt to draft twice in the first round, bringing in elite talent that aligns with his vision of a successful team.

The Giants’ potential may not be boundless, but it’s certainly noteworthy. They could opt to stay at Nos. 5 and 10 to draft two ready-to-play starters, or they might consider trading down to gather additional second-round picks, effectively getting back some of the draft capital lost to acquire Jackson Dart last year.

Now, about Jackson Dart.

The 10th-ranked Giants could bolster their quarterback-centric offense with another weapon, like wide receiver Jordyn Tyson, who’s creating quite a buzz. They might also look at adding a protector, perhaps Olaiba Vega Ioane, who is the top guard in this draft class. This enables the Giants to potentially acquire one player from each side of the ball—or even two from offense.

The draft landscape is changing. Recently released simulations indicate that at No. 10, the Giants could pick from linebacker Sonny Styles, safety Caleb Downs, receiver Makai Lemon, cornerback Jermod McCoy, and offensive tackle Spencer Fano. Just envision if they took running back Jeremiah Love at No. 5 to pair with Ioane. With a single strategic move, Harbaugh could create a formidable rushing attack. Picture Love energizing the offense while either Styles or Downs injects vigor into the defense.

If there were doubts about Malik Nabors making a full recovery from ACL surgery, bringing Tyson into the fold would mean Dart could work with two top-tier receivers. Aside from some fitness concerns, Tyson possesses the skills necessary to be a game changer in the passing game. General manager Joe Schoen met up with Tyson for dinner in Tempe, Arizona, and was on hand for his workout the following day, indicating the Giants are thoroughly vetting his capabilities.

Drafting one of the top cornerbacks at No. 5 seemed excessive, but will it be Mansour Delane or McCoy at No. 10? The value here is promising.

What if they explored the option of trading down from the 10th spot? In one simulation, the Rams offered the 13th pick along with a second-rounder (61st overall). In another scenario, the Chiefs proposed the 17th pick and a second-round pick (50th overall).

This doesn’t guarantee anything, however. The 2022 Giants, despite moving up to secure picks at No. 5 and No. 7, selected edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeau and offensive tackle Evan Neal, expecting them to be foundational pieces. Thibodeau has performed solidly, though he’s faced injuries, while Neal has struggled to find his footing on the roster.

Before parting ways with Lawrence, the Giants were worried that after selecting him at No. 37, he’d languish for far too long until No. 105 to play again. That concern has shifted to the exciting prospect of having abundant options, with help on the horizon.