This time of year, it’s popular among insiders to mock the plethora of mock drafts that take place in the weeks leading up to the NFL Draft. Not Brian Daboll.
“I’m definitely watching them,” the Giants head coach said. “Because some people are probably communicating with other people, and they’re thinking this and thinking that.”
It’s nice to see Daboll admit this, but there’s a limit to how far he fits into all these prophecies.
“I don’t know if a mock draft has ever been 100 percent,” he said. “That means trusting your work, trusting your ratings, and trusting the people in your building to make the decisions that are best for you.”
There’s no doubt that Daboll and the entire Giants front office are watching and evaluating quarterbacks, and their brain trust is seriously considering taking the No. 1 pick in this draft.
In Mock Draft 3.0, I tried out Sportskeeda’s draft simulator, and the way the board was falling, it didn’t make sense to connect the Giants with the quarterback. Please look:
Round 1, 6th overall: Roman Odunze, WR, Washington.
Previous selection: Odunze, JJ McCarthy, QB, Michigan State
First of all. Three quarterbacks, Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye, will be left out with the first three picks. With wide receivers Marvin Harrison Jr. and Malik Nabors going No. 4 and No. 5, respectively, the Giants have a decision to make. Will they go with Michigan quarterback JJ McCarthy, Notre Dame left tackle Joe Alto, or Odunze? Nothing is certain, of course, but Odunze is closer to the prospect than McCarthy. Probably. He has size (6-3, 212), speed (4.45), production (92 receptions, 13 touchdowns last season), and an uncanny ability to bring the ball for contested catches. have. He’s been likened to Larry Fitzgerald, but not too shabby. Odunze gives the offense what it desperately needed: a true number one target.
Round 2, 47th overall: TJ Tampa, CB, Iowa State.
Previous selection: Michael Penix Jr., QB, Washington; Troy Franklin WR, Oregon
For the sake of transparency, QB Bo Nix has already been removed from the roster. Tampa looks like a well-built athlete at 6-foot-1 with long arms and physical presence, but may be better suited for zone coverage plays than a steady diet of man-to-man . He will come out as base running support and get hits. This is where needs and values meet. The roster has Deonte Banks coming off an encouraging rookie year, but after that…who? Adoree’ Jackson is a free agent, and Cordale Flott and Darnay Holmes will be more comfortable playing in that slot. Arguably the big story of last summer, Tre Hawkins has shown significant improvement in his second year. Tampa should get a chance to play right away.
Round 3, 70th overall: Trey Benson, RB, Florida State University
Previous selection: Kris Jenkins, DT, Michigan, Max Melton, CB, Rutgers
After two years at the University of Oregon, Benson starred for the Seminoles, rushing for 1,896 yards and 24 touchdowns over the past two seasons. His rare combination of size (216 pounds) and speed (4.39 pounds) coupled with his big-play ability and strong ball security (no fumbles in college). Lest we forget, Saquon Barkley is currently getting paid to run the ball for the Eagles. Veteran Devin Singletary was signed to start, but doesn’t have much of a track record returning alongside Eric Gray, Gary Brightwell and Ja’Sean Corbin. Built like a tank, the Benson could emerge as a workhorse.
Round 4, 107th overall: Delmar Glades, OT, Maryland.
Previous selection: Cade Stover, TE, Ohio State University, Dwayne Carter, DT, Duke University
They have a franchise left tackle in Andrew Thomas, and the Giants still hold out hope that Evan Neal can be a sidekick at right tackle. But so far, Neal is far from living up to his lofty draft status (7th overall in 2022). He will get another chance in his third year, but veteran Jermaine Elemunor was signed to compete with Neal in this last chance scenario. Glaze was a three-year starter for the Terrapins and was named All-Big Ten the past two seasons. Here’s an added plus: He moved inside at the Senior Bowl, playing a guard role and applying the position’s versatility to his turn.
Round 5, 166th overall: Nelson Caesar, Edge, Houston
Previous selection: Javon Foster, OT, Missouri State, Dillon Johnson, RB, Washington
Indeed, the Brian Barnes trade would give them a defensive bookend pass rusher with Barnes on one side and Kayvon Thibodeau on the other. Additionally, Azeez Ojulari is back in his contract year and looking to (eventually) keep him healthy. He gets sacked when he’s on the field. You can never have enough of these guys on your team. Caesar is a compact (6-2, 254) high-energy pass rusher with 17 career sacks and 27.5 tackles for loss. The more the better.
Round 6, 183rd overall: Dadrion Taylor Demerson, S, Texas Tech
Previous selection: Isaac Gerendo, RB, Louisville, Ryan Watts, CB, Texas
Xavier McKinney played every snap in 2023 and is currently with the Packers. Jason Pinnock returns as the starting safety and Dane Belton, likely in his third season, will be ready for a promotion. Taylor Demerson is small but aggressive and has good ball skills (10 interceptions in his five-year career).
