Giants land a Saquon Barkley replacement in CBS Sports’ 2023 re-draft

The New York Giants traded up one spot to select cornerback Deonte Banks with the No. 24 overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft. However, if they had to do it all over again, Chris Trapasso of CBS Sports believes they’d take a different route.

That’s not a knock on Banks, who had a solid rookie season, but more a reflection of lingering issues elsewhere on the roster.

In his 2023 NFL re-draft, Trapasso has the Giants staying put at No. 25 overall and selecting running back Jahmyr Gibbs.

With the future of Saquon Barkley uncertain, the Giants add a rocket to the backfield in Gibbs, who was sensational as a rookie.

Gibbs was selected 14th overall by the Detroit Lions, who took wide receiver Rashee Rice at No. 6 overall in this re-draft. Banks was not selected in the first round.

As a rookie, Gibbs rushed for 945 yards and 10 touchdowns, averaging 5.2 yards per carry. He added 316 yards and one additional score through the air en route to a Pro Bowl appearance.

With uncertainty surrounding Saquon Barkley and his future, the selection of Gibbs would have provided a solid replacement. However, it would have also left the Giants hurting at cornerback, where they’re already thin.