NFL

Giants seven-round NFL mock draft 4.0: Big Blue takes Malik Nabers, sticks with Daniel Jones

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Published April 23, 2024, 12:58 p.m. ET

Soon enough, the time for mocking will be over and done with and the real thing will be upon us.

The lead-up to an NFL draft is always packed with wild and crazy scenarios and head-scratching conversation and intrigue. That is what makes it so much confounding fun.

In the first three Giants-only mock drafts, we mostly stayed true to the specific simulators and tried to sprinkle in a bit of everything to appease the quarterback crowd and the wide receiver crowd.

We did not do much for the offensive line crowd because that is not a direction the Giants are believed to be headed up high in this draft.

For this final stab at it, we ran simulations from Pro Football Focus, Pro Football Network and Sportskeeda and, when we deemed it appropriate, freelanced a bit based on an instinctual knowledge of how the Giants think about things.

And so (drumroll, please), here is Mock 4.0:

Round 1, No. 6 overall: Malik Nabers, WR, LSU

Previous picks: Rome Odunze, WR, Washington, J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan, Odunze

It is a passing league, right? And so, we are speculating that the first three picks are quarterbacks (Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye) and then there is a trade-up (Vikings? Broncos? Raiders?) into the top five to take J.J. McCarthy off the board. That takes a quarterback out of play for the Giants, but when Marvin Harrison Jr. is selected it leaves Nabers there for the picking. Sure, offensive tackle Joe Alt is tempting but they already have a franchise left tackle in Andrew Thomas. Nabers’ ability to separate and run after the catch is special and he should ascend the depth chart and quickly become WR1 for an offense that needs a top target. He had 89 receptions, 14 touchdowns and averaged 17.6 yards per catch in 2023. Stardom awaits.

Round 2, No. 47 overall: Kamari Lassiter, CB, Georgia

Previous picks: Michael Penix Jr., QB, Washington, Troy Franklin WR, Oregon, T.J. Tampa, CB, Iowa State

This pick fills a huge need and is not a reach at all. Deonte Banks had an encouraging rookie year and he needs a running mate. Lassiter has good size (nearly 6-foot tall) and can excel in man and zone coverages. He played in 44 games in three seasons for the Bulldogs. Lassiter should have a chance to start right away, with returnees Cor’Dale Flott and Darnay Holmes more suited to the slot, Nick McCloud in the mix and Tre Hawkins entering year No. 2 needing to show marked improvement from his rookie showing.

The Giants need a cornerback like Kamari Lassiter to pair with Deonte Banks.
The Giants need a cornerback like Kamari Lassiter to pair with Deonte Banks. Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Round 3, No. 70 overall: Jaylen Wright, RB, Tennessee

Previous picks: Kris Jenkins, DT, Michigan, Max Melton, CB, Rutgers, Trey Benson, RB, Florida State

General manager Joe Schoen would not have taken Saquon Barkley with the No. 2 overall pick in any draft and this is more in keeping with what he wants at the position, as far as draft-equity expenditure and money allocation. Barkley is with the Eagles now and although veteran Devin Singletary was signed to start there has to be other options in the backfield. Eric Gray, Gary Brightwell and Jashaun Corbin are not exactly a proven trio in reserve. Wright averaged 7.4 yards a carry in 2023. He can run (4.38) with big-play potential, is good-sized (5-10, 210) and could develop into a lead back.

Round 4, No. 107 overall: Michael Pratt, QB, Tulane

Previous picks: Cade Stover, TE, Ohio State, DeWayne Carter, DT, Duke, Delmar Glaze, OT, Maryland

Why take a quarterback this deep in the draft? Well, sometimes these guys develop into darn good players (Dak Prescott and Kirk Cousins were fourth-rounders) and even if Pratt’s ceiling is as a backup that fills a roster spot for a few years after this season at a reduced price, compared with the likes of Tyrod Taylor and Drew Lock. Pratt was a four-year starter with 90 touchdown passes and 26 interceptions and is athletic enough to be a running threat. He is someone for head coach Brian Daboll to try to mold and develop.

Michael Pratt could be a developmental quarterback for the Giants.
Michael Pratt could be a developmental quarterback for the Giants. AP

Round 5, No. 166 overall: Javon Foster, OT, Missouri

Previous picks: Foster, Dillon Johnson, RB, Washington, Nelson Ceaser, Edge, Houston

This late in the draft, you look for athletic traits at offensive tackle and Foster has a bunch of good ones. He is 6-5 and 313 pounds, powerful and experienced (three-year starter). The Giants last season for a time ran out of players at this position, with unsightly results. Cannot have too many guys on the roster who can move in at offensive tackle.

Round 6, No. 183 overall: Dadrion Taylor-Demerson, S, Texas Tech

Previous picks: Isaac Guerendo, RB, Louisville, Ryan Watts, CB, Texas, Taylor-Demerson, S, Texas Tech

Taylor-Demerson is not the biggest guy in the secondary but he had seven interceptions the past two seasons and should be considered a ball hawk. Xavier McKinney was a workhorse at safety but he signed with the Packers, leaving Jason Pinnock to start at one spot and possibly Dane Belton moving up on the depth chart. Taylor-Demerson can add to the depth in the room and get snaps on special teams.