Category: NFL

Did Giants create a QB smokescreen in hopes of drafting OT Joe Alt?

The New York Giants selected LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers with the sixth overall pick in last week’s NFL draft.

Experts have lauded the addition of Nabers as a solid one by the Giants, but was Nabers their first choice?

There’s speculation that had Notre Dame offensive tackle Joe Alt not been selected by the Los Angeles Chargers one spot before the Giants, they would have taken him instead of Nabers or Washington’s Rome Odunze.

At least that’s what ESPN’s Adam Schefter thinks — something he admits is just speculation.

“The Giants wanted Joe Alt to slide to them. That’s my belief,” Schefter said. “That was the hope — that he was going to get to them. I think some of the quarterback talk for the Giants might have been a little camouflage to try to get someone like Minnesota to trade up.”

The point is moot as Alt was not there at No. 6 and the Giants did not use any of their six picks last week on an offensive lineman.

Veteran NFL reporter Mike Garafolo debunks the idea of Alt to the Giants, saying their big swing last week was for UNC quarterback Drake Maye, whom they were unsuccessful in prying away from the New England Patriots.

The Giants ended up with Nabers, who many experts widely consider a player who is ready to compete at the NFL level from Day 1.

Read all the best Giants coverage at NorthJersey.com and Giants Wire.



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Aaron Ross says Odell Beckham Jr. should return to New York Giants

When former New York Giants first-round pick Odell Beckham Jr. was traded away back in 2018, there were mixed reactions from fans.

Given the fact that one of the picks the Giants received would land them Pro-Bowler Dexter Lawrence, it could be argued that New York ultimately won that trade.

Still, the Giants have been lacking a big-play threat at the wide receiver position since Beckham’s departure. Hopes are that’s changed after selecting fellow LSU wide receiver, Malik Nabers, in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft.

But could the Giants use more in the wide receiver room? With Sterling Shepard gone, would they be open to a reunion with OBJ?

One former Giant seems to think it would be a good fit.

“I think his personality matches the New York environment,” former Super Bowl champ Aaron Ross told TMZ Sports. “So I’d love to see that.”

“There’s a few pieces that we need to plug in that will fit the scheme that the offensive coordinator has.”

Beckham has not been the same receiver since departing from the Giants. After his time in Cleveland, he won a Super Bowl with the Los Angeles Rams and after not playing in the entire 2022 season, Beckham returned and played last season with the Baltimore Ravens.

Anytime he is a free agent, there always seems to be ties between Beckham and a possible reunion with the team that drafted him. Only time will tell if Beckham will return to the Giants before he hangs up the cleats.

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2024 NFL draft: Grading each of the Giants' six picks

The New York Giants did not make any trades — up or back — during the 2024 NFL draft, which was a surprise to some. But the real surprise came when they chose not to select either an offensive or a defensive lineman this year. They were the only team in the league not to do so.

That aside, the Giants took six interesting players they had specific plans for. Here are our grades on each pick.

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14 free agents New York Giants could sign following 2024 NFL draft

The New York Giants made six selections in the 2024 NFL draft and have reportedly signed a handful of undrafted players in its aftermath. However, general manager Joe Schoen made it clear that personnel tinkering will continue over the next several months.

“We always have room to grow and always have room to improve. I say it all the time, we don’t play until September, so there’s still time between now and September where we can acquire players, the final cutdown, whatever it may be,” Schoen said.

With that in mind, here are 14 remaining free agents the Giants could potentially look into signing to help bolster their depth and fill out their roster.

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The Giants will add a low-end quarterback or two as they head into rookie minicamp and organized team activities (OTAs), but the likelihood they sign someone to compete with Daniel Jones and Drew Lock is slim. However, if that’s a path Schoen ultimately takes, Ryan Tannehill is the best available.

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The Giants failed to address the trenches during the three-day draft but there are still options in free agency. If they want to add an offensive tackle with experience, David Bakhtiari could be that guy.

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Perhaps more than a tackle, the Giants could use another guard with starting experience. Andrus Peat is a potential option and he provides the added versatility of being able to play tackle.

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Dalton Risner is a player many expected the Giants to pursue during the early stages of free agency. He remains available for the taking.

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If Calais Campbell opts to return to the field in 2024, the Giants could make a call. Although he’s nearing the age of 38, the veteran was still productive last season, recording 6.5 sacks for the Falcons.

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

If the Giants want to add a true nose tackle to their roster, Bryan Mone could be an under-the-radar option. He missed last season due to a torn ACL but is still just 28 years old and would be a low-risk, high-reward type signing.

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Xavien Howard has informed teams he’s fully cleared to play (foot injury) and would be willing to take a reduced salary to play for a contender. While the Giants aren’t that, perhaps they could entice him some other way. Adding a four-time Pro Bowler at a position of need would be a plus.

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Stephon Gilmore is another option for the Giants, although he seems destined to return to the Panthers. However, if those talks fall through, Schoen might be willing to put in a call at least.

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The Giants seem done with Adoree’ Jackson but the free agent pool is a bit thin. If they don’t want to overspend, perhaps they can circle back to a familiar face at a lesser cost.

Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

After selecting Tyler Nubin in the draft, the Giants may very well be finished at the safety position. It’s also become obvious that Schoen doesn’t invest heavily there. But if they’re not comfortable and want a veteran with experience, Justin Simmons is still out there.

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The Giants have a solid base with Bobby Okereke and Micah McFadden, who broke out in 2023, but if they want to add another inside guy, Zach Cunningham remains available.

Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

It’s hard to imagine a scenario in which the Giants add another wide receiver to their crowded room but if they do, a low-cost veteran option might be — wait for it — Odell Beckham Jr..

Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

The Giants will go with a running back by committee in 2024 and may not be satisfied with the back-end of their depth at the position. Boston Scott is a long-time Giants killer and they’re very familiar with his game. He’s a solid rotational piece and plays special teams.

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If the Giants want to add another edge rusher — and they should — Bud Dupree is a familiar face to defensive coordinator Shane Bowen.

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What pre-draft scouting reports said about Giants TE Theo Johnson

Johnson’s pure long-range speed can make him difficult to keep leverage against, and he also provides value as a RAC threat in the short range. When schemed touches on swings and screens, he can accrue additional yards with his forward-pressing physicality and leg drive.

As a seam and crosser weapon and as a RAC threat, Johnson’s upside is visible, and he’s also an elite blocker to boot — with stellar technique, leveraging, usage versatility, and finishing ability. But past those categories, Johnson’s translatability is less clear.

Johnson visibly lacks the fluidity, short-area quickness, and hip flexibility to stack brisk direction changes and hip transitions, and he struggles to sink at stems as well. And as a catcher, his hand technique can be very inconsistent, which can source drops.

Johnson’s linear, slow-striding build and lack of sink and corrective mobility will likely constrict his route tree at the NFL level, and he’ll need to shore up his hand technique and coordination before he can be relied upon as a red zone threat.

Nevertheless, Johnson profiles reasonably well as a quality TE2 who fits a niche with his receiving skill set and provides exciting utility as a usage-versatile blocking presence.

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New York Giants land a QB in USA TODAY’s way-too-early 2025 mock draft

The 2024 NFL draft came to a close this past Saturday so that naturally means it’s time to look ahead to the 2025 NFL draft, right?

It’s an annual exercise and that’s not going to change this year.

Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz of USA TODAY has already compiled his way-too-early 2025 mock draft and his projections don’t look good for the New York Giants. He has them picking first overall next year based on ESPN’s pre-draft win projections and ending up with Georgia quarterback Carson Beck.

Unlike this point last year with Caleb Williams and Drake Maye, there’s no quarterback out there who looks to be a surefire top-five pick. Beck, however, might be the front-runner to be the highest signal-caller taken – and therefore in the mix for No. 1. The 6-4, 220-pound passer stepped into his first year as a starter and took command, throwing for 3,941 yards while completing nearly 73% of his passes.

Beck’s arm strength can help bring back a big-play element that has long been absent for New York with Daniel Jones at the helm. But the Georgia standout is also a precise and on-schedule operator, which should allow him to form a potent connection with 2024 first-round receiver Malik Nabers, an electric threat after the catch.

With an off ramp to Jones’ contract available after this season, Big Blue could end up moving quickly to admit fault on the extension and change course. Beck might make for an attractive option to which the team could pivot, especially after reports that the team made a serious push to try to move up for Drake Maye.

The same trend of the past three years is developing — quarterback, quarterback, quarterback.

Experts and Giants fans are desperate to move on from Daniel Jones and have beaten that dead horse so thoroughly that only dust remains. This time, however, they may finally get their wish as the Giants have an out in Jones’ contract after this season.

Of course, that only happens if the team struggles and Jones plays poorly. If he somehow remains healthy and can play like he did in 2022, the anti-DJ crowd may not get their wish in the end.

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Giants drafted Theo Johnson with Darren Waller’s uncertainty in mind

Heading into the 2024 NFL draft, the New York Giants were still uncertain about whether or not star tight end Darren Waller would ever play for them again.

Waller is still mulling his options while going through a tumultuous time in his personal life, including a divorce from his wife, WNBA star Kelsey Plum, after only a year.

After the second day of the draft, the Giants still had no clarity on Waller’s status.

“No, nothing’s changed there,” said Giants general manager Joe Schoen. “We’re still giving him space and when he’s ready to make a decision, we’ll have those conversations.”

Those conversations were suddenly rendered less imminent on Saturday when the Giants selected Penn State tight end Theo Johnson — a very Waller-like-looking player — with the 107th overall pick in Round 4.

After the draft, Schoen was asked if the Johnson pick was in direct response to Waller’s situation.

“We had to take that into account for sure,” he said. “But you know, Theo was the top player on our board. I’m trying to think, if there were any of these guys that we took that weren’t the top player on the board at the time…last night we left, he was sticking out for us.  You always think when you come in the next morning, he’s going to go sooner and may not be there and we’re excited to get Theo.”

Johnson did not visit with the Giants during the pre-draft process but said it was “clear” that the Giants had an interest in him. The only association he had with the Giants before Saturday was an interaction with quarterbacks coach Shea Tierney at the Senior Bowl but admitted he had another tie to the club.

“Went to school and worked with Christian Daboll, Brian Daboll’s son, when he was at Penn State,” Johnson revealed. “So pretty early on, they showed a lot of interest and it was clear that this was definitely a potential landing spot for me.”

The 6-foot-6, 257-pound Johnson said he had not yet talked to the Giants about what role he might play. He was also asked if he had watched a lot of Waller, who he has been compared to in several scouting reports.

“I’ve definitely watched Darren Waller,” Johnson said. “I have a lot of respect for his game. You know, he’s someone that has really established himself in the league, and I’m really looking forward to being in the same room as him and just hearing his wisdom from what he’s been through, not only in his career and his life but I’m really looking forward to being his teammate.”

That last part may not come to pass. The Giants, of course, will want a decision from Waller at some point this spring so they can sort out their roster and finances.

Johnson, by continuing to develop, can help the Giants ease into what appears to be Waller’s almost certain departure. He can only look forward, though. And he’s ready to help the Giants in any way he can.

“I think I’m definitely capable of being a tight end that you can’t take off the field with all the attributes that I have and I’m going to work for that,” he said. “I know I have work to do and I’m going to do the work it’s going to take to be a George Kittle and be a guy that you just don’t want to take off the field because I can do every single thing you’re asking your tight end to do.”

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Giants’ roster build far from complete after NFL draft

The 2024 NFL draft is over and the New York Giants walked away with an eclectic group of players taken with their six selections.

This draft class was loaded with quarterbacks, offensive and defensive linemen, and wide receivers. Other than their first pick — LSU wideout Malik Nabers — they largely ignored the ‘tenderloin’ of the draft, choosing odds and ends to cover roster needs.

In the first round, it was rumored they had the hots for North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye and were trying to swing a trade with New England to move up from No. 6 to No. 3 to grab him.

Nothing doing. The Patriots didn’t budge and took Maye for themselves. The Giants ended up staying put and taking Nabers at No. 6. If they had any designs on the second-tier quarterbacks late in Round 1 or early in Round 2, those were dashed early on as J.J. McCarthy, Michael Penix, Jr, and Bo Nix were both gone in the first 12 picks.

If anything, general manager Joe Schoen said after Round 1 — without getting into specifics — there was more interest in him moving back than there was in moving up.  He’s content with the quarterback situation as it is…for now.

“I said it in January after the season. Our expectation was Daniel would be our starter and we brought Drew Lock to be his backup and Tommy is a backup, so that’s where we are and that’s how we’ll move forward this season. Daniel is still under contract for three more years,” Schoen said. “As it sits today, that’s where we are.”

It seems like a curious choice for an NFL team that has been dominated in the trenches for so long to not take at least one lineman; one ‘big’ in the draft.

After Nabers, Schoen took a safety (Tyler Nubin), a cornerback (Dru Phillips), a tight end (Theo Johnson), a running back (Tyrone Tracy Jr.), and a linebacker (Darius Muasau).

They are all here to either fill holes or to fit into the new special teams strategies.

The Giants needed to replace Xavier McKinney and Adoree’ Jackson and could be looking for one for Darren Waller. Check, check, check.

The backfield also needed another pair of hands with Saquon Barkley gone and a returner with the new kickoff rules coming into place. Check.

Muasau is just a player they liked. He’s sure to find a home on a team that values their type of players.

The goal was to get good football players in the door after filling many of their immediate needs in free agency.

“I like some of the pieces we have. I like some of the upgrades,” Schoen said. “Again, you can throw Brian Burns in the draft, as well, that pick 39, to bring on a 25-year-old, two-time Pro Bowler as a pass rusher as part of this draft class. I like some of the moves that we made in the off-season.

“We still have work to do and I just think it’s year three and we are just going to continue to build the roster and the team. I think where we are with some of the contract status, like I talked about last night; that you can keep a core group together over a two- to three-year window, and you have another off-season and another draft, and then you look up and there’s some really good pieces on the table.”

Ultimately, Schoen says, more moves are to be expected between now and the start of the regular season.

“We always have room to grow and always have room to improve. I say it all the time, we don’t play until September, so there’s still time between now and September where we can acquire players, the final cutdown, whatever it may be,” he said.

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Andru Phillips wants to get his ‘nose dirty’ with new York Giants

The New York Giants were in dire need of cornerback help entering the 2024 NFL draft and used their third-round selection on Kentucky’s Andru ‘Dru’ Phillips, who may not be the outside corner fans were hoping the team would bring in.

Phillips seems to fit more into the slot and in packages, but according to general manager Joe Schoen, he’s versatile.

“He can play both. He’s got the versatility to play inside, and outside. But we have options because (Cor’Dale) Flott can play inside, and outside as well. If he goes inside, Flott can go outside or vice-versa. The versatility is also attractive for all these guys with the new defense,” Schoen told reporters on Saturday.

Schoen was reminded that Phillips is also not known for creating turnovers, a fact he could not deny.

“Some of these guys that are 5-11, 200, run 4.4 would be playing receivers if they had really good ball skills unfortunately,” said Schoen. “But no, I mean, he’s sticky. He’s in terms of coverage, he’s around the football a lot. And watching him down in the senior Bowl on one-on-ones, he has a lot of traits and those are things we are going to work on. He’s in position, but he just has to finish a little bit better.

“But I really like the athlete, like the kid, look forward to him getting here. Told Wan’Dale (Robinson), he’s got to be ready for practice because Dru said he was going to be locking him up. That will be good competition there.

None of that talk will deter Phillips from coming into East Rutherford and proving that Schoen was right about him.

“I’m a competitive player. I want to win down there at that defensive position, whether that’s corner or slot, and I bring a fiery and versatility to the game and a different type of aggression I feel like every defense needs, but also at the same time, I bring that will to win. I want to come in here and help any way I can,” he said.

What exactly was it that the Giants liked about him after his stellar showing at the Senior Bowl?

“They like, one, is my willingness to tackle,” said Phillips. “I know it’s a thing, especially at those corners and now people want to tackle but I’m one of those guys, I want to get my nose dirty. Just my football IQ and just being savvy in it as well. You can be aggressive but then have some finesse to you, as well, and just go out there and win every rep.”

And the Giants do need to tackle better, that is for sure. Last season, teams got too many second chances due to missed tackles.

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Experts dole out grades for New York Giants

The 2024 NFL draft reached its end on Saturday evening and for the New York Giants, they came away with an impressive six-pick haul despite failing to move up for a quarterback in Round 1.

Over the first two days, the Giants selected three potential starters in wide receiver Malik Nabers, safety Tyler Nubin, and cornerback Andru Phillips.

They continued beefing up their roster on Day 3, adding dynamic talent such as tight end Theo Johnson, running back Tyrone Tracy, and linebacker Darius Muasau.

Here’s how NFL experts and analysts graded Big Blue’s full draft haul:

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

What Chad Reuter had to say:

The Giants ignored the historic quarterback run early on to grab Nabers, an explosive receiver with a game similar to the team’s 2014 first-rounder, Odell Beckham Jr. We’ll see if sticking with Daniel Jones and Drew Lock instead of taking another QB was the correct move. Nubin and Phillips were fair value in the secondary, where the team needed more talent.

Johnson will be an excellent fourth-round pick if he can fully translate his athleticism to the field. Tracy is an offensive weapon in the making, whether at running back or receiver. Muasau will be a starter in the league despite being picked in the sixth.

Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

What PFF had to say:

Tracy is a good athlete — he recorded a 4.48-second 40-yard dash and 40-inch vertical jump — and should add some explosiveness to a backfield led by Devin Singletary. Despite being a six-year player in college, Tracy has only one season at running back, and he forced 46 missed tackles on just 114 carries in that 2023 season.

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What USA TODAY had to say:

The Daniel Jones haters may not be mollified, but given the team was wed to him contractually this season regardless, GM Joe Schoen and HC Brian Daboll went about the draft the right way. First-round WR Malik Nabers (LSU) should be a field-flipping asset to Jones and/or whomever eventually replaces him. Third-round Kentucky CB Dru Phillips will compete against anybody. Some second-round maneuvering over the past few months netted highly regarded Minnesota S Tyler Nubin and former Panthers pass rusher Brian Burns, who’s already signed an extension and now bookends Kayvon Thibodeaux. Solid-plus.

Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports

What the Washington Post had to say:

The Giants opted to help Daniel Jones, as the QB returns from his torn ACL in his right knee, rather than searching for his eventual successor. They stayed put at No. 6 overall, passed up the available quarterbacks and chose WR Malik Nabers. He could be a star — if the Giants have a QB capable of getting him the ball. They added the draft’s top-rated safety, Tyler Nubin, in the middle of the second round.

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What The Ringer had to say:

THE GIANTS DECIDED TO HITCH THEIR WAGON TO DANIEL JONES (AND/OR DREW LOCK) FOR ANOTHER YEAR, eschewing the opportunity to draft a quarterback at no. 6 to instead take electric receiver Malik Nabers. The former LSU pass catcher is speed personified, giving the team a much-needed no. 1 receiver to build the offense around. The team then turned around on Day 2 and bolstered its secondary, grabbing my top-ranked safety Tyler Nubin in the second round before adding feisty cornerback Andru Phillips in the third. Both could start from the get-go. In the fourth round, New York selected a highly athletic tight end in Theo Johnson, who is raw but well built and versatile and provides depth if and when Darren Waller retires. I liked the Tyrone Tracy addition in the fifth round, too—the former receiver-turned-running back who adds an explosive element to the team’s running backs group and gives the team a potential change-of-pace and pass-catching option on third downs.

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What CBS Sports had to say:

The Giants’ theme was pinpointing big-time athletes in this class. Nabers was my WR1, so fine start there. Phillips was one of the most impressive plant-and-drive corner in the class, and Johnson was the most athletic tight end with his best football in front of him. 

Tracy can threaten Devin Singletary for the RB1 and, if he can shore up his tackling, Muasau’s play-recognition skills are spectacular. He beats blockers with relative ease, too. 

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What Sports Illustrated had to say:

The hope is that Nabers is everything he’s been billed to be. The comparisons for him pre-draft were incredibly glowing, but the Giants have been here before. A star receiver out of LSU wants the ball and an underperforming quarterback is struggling to get it to him. If Nabers lifts Daniel Jones into perpetual above-averageness, then this was worth the major swing. It’s also smart to continue rebuilding this secondary post-Wink Martindale as the Giants prepare for something a little less guerilla style. 

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What the Associated Press had to say:

WR Malik Nabers (6) fills a major void. Boosted the secondary on Day 2 with S Tyler Nubin (47) and CB Andru Phillips (70). RB Tyrone Tracy Jr. is raw but has potential.

Matthew Hinton-USA TODAY Sports

What Mel Kiper Jr. had to say:

The Giants were on the clock at No. 6 overall Thursday night, faced with a fascinating decision: Would they take quarterback J.J. McCarthy — which would have been an admission that they regret the Daniel Jones extension from the 2023 offseason — or would they get a true No. 1 wideout for Jones in either Rome Odunze or Malik Nabers? They could start fresh under center or they could give Jones another year with the playmaker he has never had.

Ultimately, I think they made the right call, prioritizing a pass-catcher in Nabers (6), who is electric with the ball in his hands. Jones had a disappointing start to last season and then tore his ACL, but he showed his talent in 2022, when New York made a surprising run to the playoffs. Now he’s going to have one more year to prove he’s the guy, or the franchise will move on in 2025.

I would have taken a few other safeties ahead of Tyler Nubin (47) in Round 2, but you can’t deny his playmaking ability; he had 13 career interceptions for the Golden Gophers. Dru Phillips (70) is a late riser who played a lot of slot coverage snaps in his career. With Darren Waller’s future up in the air, I liked the pick of Theo Johnson (107) early on Day 3. He’s my fourth-ranked tight end in the class.

This is a small class, but all four of the Giants’ top selections should have significant roles this season. Nabers might end up being the most-targeted player on the team.

Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports

What Doug Farrar had to say:

When your quarterbacks are Daniel Jones and Drew Lock, does it matter what else you do in the draft? We’re about to find out. At least the Giants gave their middling quarterbacks the best receiver in this class in Malik Nabers, who’s kind of a faster Steve Smith in his playing personality. Penn State tight end Theo Johnson will also help. And while I’m not as high on Kentucky cornerback Andru Phillips are, he’s a competent slot defender. Getting Tyler Nubin in the second round should ease the pain of losing Xavier McKinney in free agency.

The sleeper here — and one of my favorite running backs in this class — is Tyrone Tracy Jr., the former Iowa receiver who may have had the most insane run in the NCAA last season. The Giants got a lot of talent in this draft, but again… how much will it matter?

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