Still no quarterback, but a different first-round pass catcher for New York
The New York Giants are in Germany preparing for the Carolina Panthers before their Week 11 bye. We’re at the point in the season for reflection, and Jay Busbee of Yahoo Sports delivered by re-drafting the 2024 NFL Draft.
There are several takeaways that may pique the interest of a Giants’ fan. Let’s start by going through Busbee’s first five picks:
1. Chicago Bears: QB Jayden Daniels. (Actual pick: QB Caleb Williams)
2. Washington Commanders: QB Caleb Williams. (Actual pick: QB Jayden Daniels)
3. New England Patriots: QB Drake Maye. (Actual pick: Same)
4. Arizona Cardinals: WR Malik Nabers. (Actual pick: WR Marvin Harrison Jr.)
5. Los Angeles Chargers: DE Jared Verse. (Actual pick: OT Joe Alt)
Jayden Daniels leapfrogged Caleb Williams, the Drake Maye pick was the same, and Rams’ edge defender Jared Verse earned a top-five slot. More interestingly, Malik Nabers was selected by the Cardinals over Marvin Harrison Jr.
The Malik Nabers vs. Marvin Harrison Jr. debate long proceeded the season, albeit the latter received more attention as the ‘top prospect’ at the wide receiver position. Here are their rookie statistics so far:
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Nabers has missed two games with a concussion and Harrison Jr. only played eight snaps in Week 6. The return on investment favors Nabers, who is the fulcrum of the Giants’ offense.
The Giants are up next with the sixth pick, so Marvin Harrison Jr. it is right? NOPE! Busbee gave the Giants Georgia tight end Brock Bowers. Here’s his reasoning:
6. New York Giants: TE Brock Bowers. (Actual pick: WR Malik Nabers) With Nabers off the board, the Giants go for another already-proven commodity, and Bowers has already established himself as one of the league’s top tight ends. Daniel Jones gets his bailout.
I’m a huge Bowers fan and his production is already at an elite level. The 21-year-old has 57 catches on 70 targets for 580 yards with two scores. He has more catches and yards than both Nabers and Harrison Jr. He leads all tight ends in catches and yards as a rookie.
Bowers is more than just a tight end. He’s a skilled pass-catcher who will likely reset the tight end market when it’s his time to get paid. Bowers aligns in the slot at a 56% rate, with a 19% wide snap share. He’s not a wide receiver, but he’s one of the best pass-catching tight ends one will find.
One small gripe with the Bowers pick would be his contract. Bowers would make $7.3-million average annual salary if he was picked sixth. That would place him in the top 20 of tight ends around the league with a total-value of around $29-million, ranking him 13th in the NFL. Nabers doesn’t even sniff the top-30 at his position with that price tag.
It’s interesting that Busbee didn’t give the Giants a quarterback with the conversation around the position and the mediocre play New York has received. This is likely due to J.J. McCarthy’s injury and Michael Penix’s position on the bench. One may make the argument for Bo Nix, but Bowers was the selection.
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Nix remained the Denver Broncos pick at Pick 12. Busbee had the Minnesota Vikings drafting QB Micahel Penix Jr. at 10, and McCarthy was selected by the Miami Dolphins at Pick 21 over Chop Robinson, who Busbee had falling to the Arizona Cardinals at Pick 27.
There are several interesting changes throughout the Yahoo Sports article, and I encourage everyone to click the link. There’s one more key takeaway for Giants’ fans — Dru Phillips squeaked into the first round of this re-draft.
19. Los Angeles Rams: CB Andru Phillips. (Actual pick: DE Jared Verse) Tough for the Rams to lose a player as talented as Verse, but they opt to replace him with third-rounder Phillips, who’s been one of the (few) pleasant surprises for the Giants this season.
The Phillips hype is real and well earned. Defenses in the NFL constantly look for players like Phillips who — not only can cover — but can be reliable overhang defenders against the run that allow defenses to play more nickel personnel.
A defensive coordinator that can confidently match certain 12 personnel packages with nickel can allow the Giants to maintain speed, mitigating the chance for mismatches, while remaining gap sound as a run defense. The presence of Phillips provides the defense flexibility.
Phillips can deconstruct and avoid blocks, while forcing STOPs at the line of scrimmage due to his instantaneous burst and quick eyes. Not to mention he possesses all the necessary coverage traits to be sticky in man.
According to @PFF, Dru Phillips has 17 STOPs at the line of scrimmage.
That’s tied for the sixth most of any CB in the NFL. Every defense is the NFL is looking for a player like Phillips.
Someone who can — not only cover — but can be a reliable overhang defender against the… pic.twitter.com/dWSlcX0lyK
— Nick Falato (@nickfalato) November 8, 2024
The Giants inability to stop the run this season is due to explosive runs and a lack of depth on the interior defensive line.
Final thoughts
Yahoo Sports had the Giants passing on three first-round quarterbacks: Penix Jr., McCarthy, and Nix — just like in the actual draft. New York could not select Nabers, as the Cardinals passed on Harrison Jr., and selected the LSU star. The Giants had a shot at Harrison Jr., but opted to go with Bowers. The selection of Bowers in this alternate universe would have changed the Giants fourth-round selection of Theo Johnson. It’s a fun exercise; let us know what you think in the comments below.
