The 2024 NFL Draft class for the New York Giants may not be a big group, but there were some impressive selections made throughout the weekend.
General manager Joe Schoen opted to stay put at each of the team's spots, surprisingly avoiding any trades. Still, the Giants came away with a solid group of draft picks that started with wide receiver Malik Nabers.
After trying to trade up for quarterback Drake Maye, the Giants didn't panic. Instead, they stayed put at No. 6 and grabbed a playmaker who will immediately have an impact in the room.
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The Giants followed that up on Day 2 by addressing some big needs at safety and cornerback with a pair of prospects who should contribute right away.
Wrapping up their draft haul on Day 3, the Giants added tight end Theo Johnson, who is one of the most athletic players to come out of the draft. They also added some depth in the running back room and a linebacker with incredible processing skills.
Here's how the experts around the NFL graded the Giants' draft haul in 2024:
NFL Draft grades 2024: Experts impressed with Giants class
Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News: B-
Nabers and Nubin will be immediate contributing starters, but everything else is rather thin. The Giants, after making such a big deal of thinking about a QB vs. Daniel Jones, didn't go there. Phillips, Johnson, and Tracy were all depth reaches for GM Joe Schoen to boot.
Chris Trapasso, CBS Sports: B+
The Giants' theme was pinpointing big-time athletes in this class. Nabers was my WR1, so fine start there. Phillips was one of the most impressive plant-and-drive corner in the class, and Johnson was the most athletic tight end with his best football in front of him.
Tracy can threaten Devin Singletary for the RB1 and, if he can shore up his tackling, Muasau's play-recognition skills are spectacular. He beats blockers with relative ease, too.
The Daniel Jones haters may not be mollified, but given the team was wed to him contractually this season regardless, GM Joe Schoen and HC Brian Daboll went about the draft the right way. First-round WR Malik Nabers (LSU) should be a field-flipping asset to Jones and/or whomever eventually replaces him. Third-round Kentucky CB Dru Phillips will compete against anybody. Some second-round maneuvering over the past few months netted highly regarded Minnesota S Tyler Nubin and former Panthers pass rusher Brian Burns, who's already signed an extension and now bookends Kayvon Thibodeaux. Solid-plus.
Trevor Sikkema, Pro Football Focus: A-
PFF’s top-ranked safety prospect, Nubin is versatile and impactful. He can be moved all over the secondary and handle the role, as he possesses a high-level football IQ and can stop the run with instincts to cover on the back end. Nubin sported a career-best 90.1 coverage grade in 2023 (first among Power Five safeties) and allowed a 33.0 passer rating in coverage from 2021 to 2023.
This is a small class, but all four of the Giants' top selections should have significant roles this season. Nabers might end up being the most-targeted player on the team.
The Giants ignored the historic quarterback run early on to grab Nabers, an explosive receiver with a game similar to the team's 2014 first-rounder, Odell Beckham Jr. We'll see if sticking with Daniel Jones and Drew Lock instead of taking another QB was the correct move. Nubin and Phillips were fair value in the secondary, where the team needed more talent.
Johnson will be an excellent fourth-round pick if he can fully translate his athleticism to the field. Tracy is an offensive weapon in the making, whether at running back or receiver. Muasau will be a starter in the league despite being picked in the sixth.
For more Giants coverage, check out Kevin Hickey's work on Sporting News.
