This one gets a ‘Kudos’, and a ‘Wet Willie’
If I was grading, and I guess I am, a new two-round mock draft from The Athletic from a New York Giants’ perspective, the first-round pick of Miami quarterback Cam Ward would get a ‘Kudos’. The second-round pick of North Carolina running back Omarion Hampton? That’s a no-doubt ‘Wet Willie’.
Let’s get into it.
This mock is from Nick Baumgardner and Scott Dochterman. Baumgardner, making the odd picks, made the Ward selection. Dochterman, making the even picks, the Hampton one.
The Ward selection comes in what turns out to be a fantastic scenario for the quarterback-desperate Giants. The Tennessee Titans, who have indicated they would not pass on a generational talent, take Penn State edge defender Abdul Carter at No. 1. The Cleveland Browns, with the ball and chain of the DeShaun Watson contract weighing them down, take Colorado wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter.
That leaves the Giants with their choice of Ward and Shedeur Sanders of Colorado. Baumgardner chooses Ward. He writes:
I’m still torn between Ward and Sanders for QB1, and there are days it feels like Sanders is more ready right now to lead a successful offense. But, long-term, Ward — who improved every day of his lengthy college career — could have the higher ceiling.
Valentine’s View: In this scenario, I think this is also what I would do. The pure physical tools likely give Ward a higher ceiling than Sanders, and for me that is a swing worth taking. For Brian Daboll and Joe Schoen, Sanders might be the safer play because he is more likely to be capable of playing solidly in 2025.
The fly in the ointment here is that I would guess that if the Titans are not taking a quarterback they play enough games to force the Giants to move up to No. 1 if they are truly committed on Ward or Sanders.
Now, the second-round pick. Dochterman makes this pick at No. 34, and it is done without explanation. Here is a scouting report from 33rd Team on Hampton:
North Carolina Tar Heels RB Omarion Hampton is a dynamic but physical running back who should be afforded opportunities as a primary ball carrier in the NFL. Few running backs are doing more with less than Hampton, whose offensive line has not afforded him the space of many of his peers.
Hampton gets by with good vision, surprising versatility as a runner, and explosive finishes to earn hard yards. Oftentimes, he’s rewarded with missed tackles on these reps, which allows him to pop chunk gains into the secondary. Hampton has a viable every-down skill set, although many teams will likely have a better passing option on the roster as a part of their platoon. The ceiling is here for 250+ NFL touches per season, however.
Valentine’s View
I could not hate this pick more. Considering the needs on the Giants’ roster and the players available here, there is no chance I would take a running back. Knowing Schoen’s belief in positional value I don’t think he would make this pick, either.
Without going too far down the list, I think there are a handful of players selected in the next few picks who would be more likely — and useful — choices for the Giants. Those include:
Benjamin Morrison, CB, Notre Dame (No. 36, Jacksonville Jaguars); Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan (No. 39, Chicago Bears); Wyatt Milum, OL, West Virginia (No. 41, Bears).
Your thoughts, Giants fans?
