A 6-11 campaign that saw three different quarterbacks combine to contribute less than 3,500 passing yards ensured that the New York Giants entered the offseason with plenty of questions, many of them unanswered before the 2024 NFL Draft. Did they maximize their draft capital in Detroit?
The Giants’ draft grades explain how New York’s 2024 NFL Draft unfolded.
New York Giants NFL Draft Grades
Round 1, Pick 6: Malik Nabers, WR, LSU
One of the more intriguing franchises coming into the 2024 NFL Draft, there was plenty of hype surrounding the Giants and a potential trade up for Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy.
However, Daniel Jones’ contract was always going to be a sticking point for how they went about their business in Detroit, and providing the incumbent quarterback with an explosive receiving weapon that currently doesn’t exist on the roster was always a possibility.
The #NYGiants pass on QB to snag the most explosive receiver in the draft. 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/RU2SBpoTKn
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) April 26, 2024
Malik Nabers has been one of the most explosive weapons in college football in recent years, effortlessly producing in the LSU Tigers offense. He’s fast, explosive, and a reliable pass catcher who instantly upgrades this Giants offense.
There had been plenty of smoke around Nabers’ character leading up to the draft, which could be sorely tested in the New York market, but from a pure football perspective, this is a slam-dunk pick for the Giants.
Grade: A
Round 2, Pick 47: Tyler Nubin, S, Minnesota
After losing Xavier McKinney to free agency, safety was always likely to be an early consideration for the Giants, and they land a playmaker who ranks as the top safety in the class — if you count Cooper DeJean as a cornerback.
MORE: 2024 NFL Draft Grades For All 32 Teams
Tyler Nubin has been a force for the Minnesota Golden Gophers in recent seasons, playing the game with an alluring mix of physicality, athleticism, and football intelligence.
While his ability to read and react gives him a solid foundation, his top-tier ball skills ensure he’s first to the ball in almost all situations.
As the 34th overall prospect on the PFN Big Board, the value in this pick adds to the overall grade for the Giants.
Grade: A-
Round 3, Pick 70: Andru Phillips, CB, Kentucky
After selecting Nubin earlier on Day 2, the Giants return to the secondary to snag Kentucky Wildcats cornerback Andru Phillips.
While Deonte Banks holds down one side of the New York CB spot, the franchise needed to upgrade that room and provide an effective cover man opposite their first-round selection from last year.
Phillips is an insane athlete who has the explosive ability to click and close in an instant, and proves sticky in man coverage with exciting fluidity of movement. He also has some positional versatility.
Grade: B+
Round 4, Pick 107: Theo Johnson, TE, Penn State
The Giants’ commitment to ensuring they fully allow Jones to thrive continues on Day 3 as they provide him another pass-catching outlet in Penn State TE Theo Johnson.
An underrated prospect in the class, Johnson offers value in all phases. While it’s a stellar pick again for the Giants, there were higher-ranked TE options on the PFN Big Board.
Grade: B
Round 5, Pick 166: Tyrone Tracy Jr., RB, Purdue
If you don’t know about Tyrone Tracy Jr., I suggest you find out about him quickly.
The former Iowa and Purdue playmaker is an electric, multi-faceted weapon who has the potential to make an immediate impact in New York.
A former wide receiver, he brings natural pass-catching ability to the running back position and isn’t afraid to get involved as a pass protector.
Throw in his dynamic special teams ability as a returner and there’s plenty to love about his future role with the Giants.
There’s a consistent theme in this New York 2024 NFL Draft class — electric playmakers.
Grade: A
Round 6, Pick 183: Darius Muasau, LB, UCLA
Ranked as the 183rd overall prospect on the PFN Big Board, you could argue that the capital meets the talent for Darius Muasau.
However, the UCLA linebacker brings a level of tenacity to the Giants’ linebacker group and is an explosive athlete who plays bigger than his listed size. While not considered a high-level need, you can never have enough playmaking linebackers, which is exactly what Muasau is.
Grade: B
New York Giants 2024 NFL Draft Summary
The Giants were clearly looking to surround Jones with the talent to either elevate his game or prove, once and for all, that he isn’t long for the roster.
Malik Nabers is the most explosive wide receiver he’s had while with the franchise, and Day 3 picks Theo Johnson and Tyrone Tracy Jr. bolster the offense in their own unique ways.
KEEP READING: Giants UDFA Signings and Rookie Minicamp Invites
The playmakers selected in the secondary on Day 2 should have immediate and apparent impact, but it was somewhat surprising to see the Giants come away from the NFL’s annual selection event without adding any form of offensive line upgrades.
Overall Grade: B+