Latest NFL.com Three-Round Mock Draft Goes Outside the Box for Giants
The New York Giants have the No. 6 overall pick in this year's NFL Draft. It will be their fourth top-seven pick in the last five seasons, and this year's draft will be pivotal for the franchise's future.
The Giants have many holes on their roster that need to be filled and can probably ill-afford to be too cute or creative in how they fill the holes. That said, NFL.com draft analyst Chad Reuter put together an outside-the-box three-round mock that goes against what almost every draft analyst has projected for the Giants.
Let's break down Reuter's picks for the Giants.
R1, No. 6: Edge Jared Verse, Florida State University.
The Giants need edge rushing help, no question about it, as all they have in that department is Kayvon Thibodeaux.
But to put an edge rusher ahead of the offensive line, quarterback, and receiver? That's what you call a bold move.
Still, Reuter believes Verse could be a steal at No. 6, noting:
Will Anderson Jr.’s production dropped in his final year at Alabama (34.5 tackles for loss, 17.5 sacks to 17 and 10), but he proved his combination of power and speed was NFL-ready. I expect to see the same from Verse, who was no less of a problem for offensive lines in 2023 than he was in the previous season, even if his numbers were slightly less impressive in ‘23 (17 TFL, 9 sacks in ‘22; 12.5 and 9 in ‘23).
Verse is a very good player and a first-round prospect. But with the top offensive tackles and receiver Malike Nabers still on the board, the decision to go with Verse looks like a headscratcher.
R2, No. 39: RB Jonathan Brooks, Texas
A running back this high? Really? Are we talking about the next Barry Sanders or Christian McCaffrey?
No, that's not meant to be a diss on Brooks, who has the potential to be a bellcow back for his next team. Brooks, who can also return kickoffs and who played a little at punter and defense in high school, stepped into a starring role in 2023 following the departures of Bijan Robinson and Roschon Johnson.
In his junior season, he played in 11 games, logging 1,135 yards on 187 attempts (6.1 yards per carry) and ten touchdowns to one fumble. As a receiver out of the backfield, he had 25 receptions for 286 yards.
Overall, Brooks, who projects as the third-best running back prospect in this class according to CBS Sports, is a good player, but considering he's had just one college season as the future back, he tore his ACL in November. Projecting him to go this high in the draft order seems like the worst kind of reach one might make.
Nov 11, 2023; Berkeley, California, USA; Washington State Cougars defensive back Jaden Hicks (25) before the game against the California Golden Bears at California Memorial Stadium.
Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports
R2, No. 47: S Jaden Hicks, Washington State
With their second pick in Round 2, the Giants, in Reuter's mock draft, pluck safety Jayden Hicks out of Washington State. The versatile Hicks is 6'3 and 202 pounds, offering the type of versatility that new defensive coordinator Shane Bowen might want, especially if the Giants aren't able to retain Xavier McKinney in free agency.
Hicks recorded 155 total tackles, eight tackles for losses, three and a half sacks, ten passes defended, and three interceptions (two of which came in 2023), splitting time as a box and deep safety.
He is of good size and well-built, possessing acceptable ball-hawking skills and solid tackling ability. The main drawback to his game is he doesn't move as well as you'd like for the next level, nor does he have desirable speed. Still, as a potential Day 3 prospect (not Day 2), Hicks has some upside.
R3, No. 70: WR Roman Wilson, Michigan
In Reuter's mock draft, he finally has the Giants dipping into the deep receiver group by taking Michigan's Roman Wilson, a player whose stock appears to be rising thanks to his showing at the Senior Bowl.
“He’s quick, he’s fast, he’s sturdy, he plays big on the ball for a little guy,” Senior Bowl director Jim Nagy told MLive.com. “That’s why the Tyler Lockett comparison. I was lucky to be around Tyler for five years in Seattle. I think they’re similar players.”
Wilson finished with 1,707 yards on 107 receptions (16.0 average) and 20 touchdowns. While that's not necessarily eye-popping stats, Nagy believes Wilson is solidifying his status as to where he might land in the draft.
“Other people might not have seen Roman as a Day-2, top-100 level player going into the week, but I think they certainly see that now.”
NFL talent evaluator Ryan Roberts lauded Wilson's Senior Bowl showing, noting, "At 5’10 ½” and 186 pounds, he isn’t going to look like a dominant passing game weapon on the hoof. Then the pads got on, and Wilson morphed into arguably the top wide receiver on either side in Mobile."
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