It is in vogue this time of year for those on the inside to mock the plethora of mock drafts that arise in the weeks leading into the NFL Draft. Not Brian Daboll.
“I definitely look at them,’’ the Giants’ head coach said, “because there are probably some people that are communicating with other people and they think this and they think that.’’
Nice of Daboll to admit this, but he goes only so far with all these prognostications.
“I don’t know if a mock draft has ever been 100 percent,’’ he said. “So you trust your work, your evaluation, the people in your building, and then make the best decision for yourself.’’
Daboll and the entire Giants front office has been eyeing and evaluating quarterbacks and there is no doubt the braintrust is seriously considering taking one high in this draft.
For Mock Draft 3.0, we gave the Sportskeeda draft simulator a whirl and, the way the board fell, it did not make sense to link the Giants with a quarterback. Take a look:
Round 1, No. 6 overall: Rome Odunze, WR, Washington
Previous picks: Odunze, J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan
First things first. Three quarterbacks — Caleb Williams Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye — come off the board with the first three picks. Wide receivers Marvin Harrison Jr. and Malik Nabers go Nos. 4 and 5, respectively, leaving the Giants with a decision to make. Do they go with quarterback J.J. McCarthy from Michigan, Notre Dame left tackle Joe Alt or Odunze? There are no sure things, of course, but Odunze is closer to that as a prospect than McCarthy. He has size (6-3, 212), speed (4.45), production (92 receptions, 13 touchdowns this past season) and an uncanny ability to come down with the ball for contested catches. He has been likened to Larry Fitzgerald — not too shabby. Odunze gives the offense what it desperately needs: A true No. 1 target.
Round 2, No. 47 overall: T.J. Tampa, CB, Iowa State
Previous picks: Michael Penix Jr., QB, Washington, Troy Franklin WR, Oregon
For transparency’s sake, QB Bo Nix is already off the board here. Tampa looks the part, a well-built 6-foot-1 athlete with long arms and a physical presence, although he might be better suited to play zone coverage rather than a steady diet of man-to-man. He will come up and put a hit on in run support. This is a spot where need meets value. The roster has Deonte Banks coming off an encouraging rookie year and then … who? Adoree’ Jackson is a free agent and Cor’Dale Flott and Darnay Holmes are more comfortable in the slot. Maybe last summer’s big story, Tre Hawkins, shows marked improvement in year No. 2. Tampa should get a chance to play right away.
Round 3 , No. 70 overall: Trey Benson, RB, Florida State
Previous picks: Kris Jenkins, DT, Michigan, Max Melton, CB, Rutgers
After two years at Oregon, Benson flourished with the Seminoles with 1,896 yards and 24 touchdowns the past two seasons. Rare blend of size (216 pounds) and speed (4.39) with big-play ability and strong ball security (no fumbles in college). Lest we forget, Saquon Barkley now gets paid to run the ball for the Eagles. Veteran Devin Singletary was signed to start but there is not much as far as proven production returning with Eric Gray, Gary Brightwell and Jashaun Corbin. Benson, built like a tank, could emerge as a workhorse.
Round 4, No. 107 overall: Delmar Glaze, OT, Maryland
Previous picks: Cade Stover, TE, Ohio State, DeWayne Carter, DT, Duke
There is a franchise left tackle on the scene in Andrew Thomas and the Giants still hold out hope Evan Neal can be a sidekick at right tackle. Thus far, though, Neal has not come close to living up to his lofty draft status (No. 7 overall in 2022). He will get another shot in Year 3 but veteran Jermaine Eluemunor was signed to compete with Neal in this last-chance scenario. Glaze was a three-year starter for the Terrapins and all-Big Ten the past two seasons. Here’s an added plus: He moved inside and played some guard at the Senior Bowl, applying position versatility to his upside.
Round 5, No. 166 overall: Nelson Ceaser, Edge, Houston
Previous picks: Javon Foster, OT, Missouri, Dillon Johnson, RB, Washington
Sure, the trade for Brian Burns gives the defense bookend pass rushers, with Burns on one side and Kayvon Thibodeaux on the other side. Plus, Azeez Ojulari is back on a contract year, looking to (finally) stay healthy — he gets sacks when he is on the field. A team can never have enough of these guys. Caesar is a compact (6-2, 254) high-energy pass rusher with 17 career sacks and 27.5 tackles for loss. The more, the merrier.
Round 6, No. 183 overall: Dadrion Taylor-Demerson, S, Texas Tech
Previous picks: Isaac Guerendo, RB, Louisville, Ryan Watts, CB, Texas
Xavier McKinney played every snap in 2023 and he’s now with the Packers. Jason Pinnock returns as one starting safety and maybe Dane Belton in his third season is ready for a promotion. Taylor-Demerson is undersized but he is aggressive and has excellent ball skills (10 interceptions in a five-year career).
