As I write this, we are less than a month away from the 2023 NFL Draft.
Draft coverage is at a peak in the NFL media ecosystem. We’ve had a lot of our own draft coverage related to the New York Giants, with Ed creating (and tracking) weekly drafts in addition to Nick’s film analysis and my own drafts.
Formerly at The Draft Network and currently at ESPN, Jordan Reid released a full 7-round mock draft (inSider content). Reid’s draft is sure to raise some eyebrows as it includes players who have already proven divisive within the Giants fan base.
Did the Giants get better in Reid’s draft?
round 1
25. Zay Flowers, WR, Boston College
The Giants have committed this offseason to adding pass catchers centered around quarterback Daniel Jones, who received a four-year extension in early March. Tight end Darren Waller was a high-profile trade target, but Flowers would also be an explosive addition. Despite not being very tall – 5-9, 182 pounds – he is capable of playing from the slot and from the outside.
[Prospect Profile]
Wide receiver was an incredibly popular pick for the Giants in the first round of the 2023 NFL draft. The Giants added safety nets in free agency, but it could still be the “number-one” receiver, a starting cornerback, a Starting EDGE, a starting inside offensive lineman, a starting safety, and another linebacker can be used.
On the plus side, the Giants almost always get a player in the first round who can help them and make the team better.
Flowers should go well with what the Giants like to do on offense. He is a dynamic athlete and a natural separator who can win quickly with his speed. The Giants ran a very risk-averse short-range offense in 2022. Flowers would give them a fiery competitor that can play in outer space.
His (slight) tendency to double catch the ball is a problem and is a bit reminiscent of Wan’Dale Robinson. The Giants have been pretty lucky with turnovers in 2022, and that has been a major factor in many of their wins. However, they need to win on offense if they want to be a consistent threat in 2023 and beyond – and that will likely mean taking a little more risk.
Flowers could well be worth the risk.
round 2
57. Emmanuel Forbes, CB, State of Mississippi
The Giants had just six interceptions last season, which is the worst total in the league. With 14 career interceptions — including an SEC-record six pick-sixes — Forbes is exactly the kind of defenseman the Giants are second-to-none. Primarily a Cover 1 scheme corner, Forbes has the speed and quickness to translate Wink Martindale’s aggressive defense.
[Prospect Profile]
I have a feeling that a certain type of football fan will think something about this draft after the first two picks.
And I understand. At 170 pounds (his per-day weight), he’s even wafer thinner than Cor’Dale Flott of the same height, and Flott’s height was an issue in 2022.
However, Forbes is an elite athlete with great long speed and oily hips and truly top notch ball skills. They don’t randomly get 20 passes defended, 14 interceptions, and 6 defensive touchdowns (3 in two separate seasons).
Taking the ball away is the only surefire way to stop modern attacks, and the Giants weren’t very good at it last year. They forced fumbling but really struggled to generate interceptions. Some of it is just luck – interception totals tend to be quite volatile on both sides of the ball – but having players who instinctively understand how to play the ball at the catch point certainly helps.
Forbes will be a polarizing prospect, but the Giants have also shown a willingness to look outside traditional thresholds for skills that fit their team vision.
round 3
89. Olusegun Oluwatimi, OC, Michigan
The Center Spot has been a revolving door for the Giants since the glory days of Weston Richburg. Six feet tall and 309 pounds, Oluwatimi has the strength and experience to jump in and be a Day 1 starter.
[Prospect Profile]
Before releasing his latest four-round mock draft, Ed asked me if I preferred Luke Wypler or Steve Avila for the Giants. I asked him if Oluwatimi or Ricky Stromberg were still available in the third round. He said yes, but ultimately chose Wypler. Personally, I think Oluwatimi has enough system diversity to allow the Giants to maintain their diverse running game and is also a very good pass protection.
I like that Reid Weston mentions Richburg because Oluwatimi reminds me a lot of Richburg. Neither player is a Mauler, but both are very smart, play with great leverage, know how to use positioning and leverage to their advantage, and have fantastic awareness. Oluwatimi was voted college football’s top center and interior offensive lineman for a reason.
Rounds 4 to 7
Reid doesn’t give all of his thoughts on all of the Day 3 picks, so for the sake of efficiency, after listing all seven of his picks for the Giants, I’ll offer mine.
Overall place 128 – Chandler Zavala (iOL, NC State)
160 in total – Chase Brown (RB, Illinois) [Prospect Profile]
Overall rank 172 – Yasir Abdullah (EDGE, Louisville)
209th overall – via the Kansas City Chiefs – PJ Mustipher (iDL, Penn State)
240 in total – via Baltimore Ravens – Ronnie Hickman (S, Ohio State)
Overall place 243 – Marte Mapu (S/LB, Sacramento State)
Overall rank 254 -Lonnie Phelps (EDGE, Kansas)
Raptor’s thoughts
Overall, it’s no big surprise that Reid keeps coming back on defense for the Giants. It’s going to be a defensive draft and there’s just fantastic depth that side of the ball. Add to that the fact that while Martindale’s squad were able to capitalize on opponents’ mistakes when needed, the Giants’ defense just wasn’t very good.
Still, I think my favorite day three pick is Illinois running back Chase Brown. I would have preferred Isreal Abinikanda (RB, Pittsburgh). [prospect profile]), which goes right after Reid’s selection of Brown for the Giants.
My only major concern is waiting until round seven to draft a safety. The Giants are counting on Dane Belton, Jason Pinnock and Bobby McCain to replace Julian Love and that feels like a downgrade from where the Giants were when Xavier McKinney was injured. Love is closer to the gambler McKinney than the rest of the gambler’s certainties are love. While I definitely agree that the Giants need to keep building their inside offensive line, I would bet on Daniel Scott (S, UCLA [prospect profile]) in 128th overall instead of Chandler Zavala.
I have not studied Abdullah, Mustipher, Mapu, or Phelps thoroughly enough to give detailed thoughts on them. However, I’ve seen enough to be intrigued by them – Abdullah and Mapu in particular. Both are undersized but athletic and versatile players who could make intriguing attacks in Wink Martindale’s defense or at least solid special teams players.
EDGE is an underestimated necessity for the Giants given Azeez Ojulari’s injury issues and the quality of depth behind him and Kayvon Thibodeaux. Hopefully Abdullah or Phelps could be a late-round steal.
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