Giants select WR Malik Nabers in Mel Kiper’s first 2024 mock draft

The New York Giants hold the sixth overall selection in this April’s NFL draft. They are a team that can go in many directions after a disappointing 6-11 season.

So, which way will they go? Will they abandon the company line and draft over quarterback Daniel Jones? Or, will they double down on Jones and add a player who can support him, such as an offensive lineman or receiver?

Long-time ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. believes the Giants will look to add a weapon such as LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers.

The Giants got just six games out of quarterback Daniel Jones on the way to a lost season that showed some cracks in the foundation. Defensive coordinator Wink Martindale resigned after the season, and the offense under coordinator Mike Kafka struggled with Tyrod Taylor and Tommy DeVito under center. New York’s quarterbacks were sacked a whopping 85 times, the most in the league, and the offense ranked 30th in yards per play (4.5). The Giants used top-10 picks on offensive linemen in 2020 (Andrew Thomas) and 2022 (Evan Neal), but I absolutely could see them doing it again, as tackles Joe Alt (Notre Dame) and Olu Fashanu(Penn State) are still available in this scenario.

Still, I keep coming back to getting Jones more help, as he has never played with a true No. 1 wide receiver. Nabers could be that. He’s coming off an 89-catch, 1,569-yard season catching passes from Jayden Daniels, and he has a rare combination of speed and route-running ability. He led the FBS with 17 catches of 30-plus yards. The Giants had just 15 total 30-plus yard receptions last season, five of which were from rookie third-rounder Jalin Hyatt.

Kiper mocks Nabers to the Giants after predicting the first three players taken will be quarterbacks (Chicago — USC’s Caleb Williams, Washington — Jalen Daniels of LSU, and New England — Drake Maye of UNC) followed by Ohio State wideout Marvin Harrison Jr. (Arizona) and Georgia tight end Brock Bowers.

Will general manager Joe Schoen stick to his guns on Jones and Neal and roll the dice on a wide receiver? It’s possible. Nabers would be a great addition, but if Jones or the offensive line can’t stay healthy it will be like adding a shiny hood ornament to a car that’s always on a lift.