New York, NY – As the 2024 NFL Draft approaches, two prominent draft analysts, Dane Brugler from The Athletic and Mel Kiper from ESPN, have reached a consensus on who the New York Giants should select with the sixth overall pick. Both analysts agree that Washington wide receiver Rome Odunze would be the ideal choice for the Giants.
Brugler recently released his second mock draft for the 2024 NFL Draft, in which he ranked the top five picks. According to Brugler, the Chicago Bears would select Caleb Williams, QB from USC, followed by Drake Maye, QB from North Carolina, chosen by the Washington Commanders. The New England Patriots would then pick Marvin Harrison Jr., WR from Ohio State, while the Arizona Cardinals and the Los Angeles Chargers would select Malik Nabers, WR from LSU, and Brock Bowers, TE from Georgia, respectively. Brugler explains that Odunze’s combination of size, speed, and ability to play through contact make him an attractive option for the Giants, who haven’t had a 1,000-yard receiver since 2018.
Kiper, in collaboration with Field Yates, did not release a full mock draft but instead shared a mini-mock draft of the top 10 picks on YouTube. According to Kiper’s mini-mock draft, the Chicago Bears would also select Caleb Williams as the first pick, followed by Jayden Daniels, QB from LSU, chosen by the Washington Commanders. The New England Patriots would then pick Drake Maye, while the Arizona Cardinals and the Los Angeles Chargers would select Marvin Harrison Jr. and Malik Nabers, respectively. Similar to Brugler, Kiper believes that Rome Odunze would be an excellent choice for the Giants due to his consistency, catch radius, and great hands.
While these draft experts agree on the potential of Odunze, there is some debate within the analysis community. Ed Valentine from Big Blue View initially viewed the choice of Odunze at No. 6 as perplexing. However, after closely observing Odunze and Nabers, Valentine acknowledges that there is not a clear distinction between the two receivers at this early stage of evaluation.
Valentine further discusses the possibility of selecting Jayden Daniels as the Giants’ pick in Brugler’s scenario, noting the concerns surrounding Daniels’ frame and occasional accuracy issues. However, he acknowledges the significance of the quarterback position and the uncertainty surrounding Daniel Jones’ future health and potential. The decision to draft a quarterback in the top 10 would ultimately rest with Giants’ ownership.
In Kiper’s scenario, the focus shifts to the Giants’ offensive line needs. Valentine points out that players like Olu Fashanu from Penn State or Joe Alt from Notre Dame could be viable choices, considering the Giants’ potential rebuilding of their offensive line. The Giants recently hired offensive line coach Carmen Bricillo, whose successful work with the Las Vegas Raiders’ offensive line adds to the intrigue of a potential offensive line overhaul.
The 2024 NFL Draft holds many possibilities for the New York Giants. The consensus among analysts suggests that choosing Rome Odunze would address the Giants’ need for a standout wide receiver. However, with the draft fast approaching, only time will tell which direction the Giants will ultimately go in building their team for the upcoming season.