NFL Draft Prospects Giants Must Target After 2023 Shrine, Senior Bowls
The New York Giants had a breakthrough campaign in 2022. After five straight losing seasons, the Giants reached the playoffs and advanced to the divisional round. Rookie head coach Brian Daboll helped turned New York into a contender, and now it's time for the Giants to start building instead of rebuilding.
The first challenge for New York will be figuring out how to bring back quarterback Daniel Jones and running back Saquon Barkley. The next step will be improving a roster that probably overachieved a bit in 2022.
While the Giants are projected to have $44.4 million in cap space, achieving both goals in free agency will be difficult. For New York, the 2023 draft will be extremely important.
Fortunately, the Giants—along with the rest of the league—got an early start on the pre-draft process last week at the East-West Shrine Bowl and the Senior Bowl. Here, we'll examine three standouts from those exhibition games who New York should be targeting heading into next month's scouting combine.
A.T. Perry, WR, Wake Forest
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If the Giants are able to retain Jones and Barkley, their next challenge will be putting more skilled players around those two. New York wasn't exactly loaded with elite pass-catchers this season, and wideouts Sterling Shepard and Richie James are slated to hit the open market.
Wake Forest receiver A.T. Perry, the 29th-ranked prospect on the Bleacher Report Scouting Department's end-of-season draft board, would be a logical Day 1 or early Day 2 target for the Giants.
Perry, who logged 1,096 yards and 11 touchdowns this past season, is a dynamic downfield threat. He's the sort of playmaker at receiver New York has lacked since the Odell Beckham Jr. days, and he did nothing to disappoint during the lead-up to the East-West Shrine Bowl.
"Perry showed off his entire skillset during the one-on-ones out in Las Vegas," Michael Renner of Pro Football Focus wrote. "His ability as a bigger receiver to separate down the field is something that everyone is looking for in the NFL, and it makes him a weapon at all three levels of the football field. He finished as the highest-graded receiver in attendance."
While Perry didn't make a catch in the game itself, his ability to stand out in practices shouldn't go unnoticed. The Giants will likely consider several receivers early, with Perry among their top targets.
Luke Musgrave, TE, Oregon State
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The Giants would also be wise to target a quality pass-catching tight end to serve as Jones' security blanket. While 2022 fourth-round pick Daniel Bellinger flashed some as a rookie, he missed time with an eye injury and finished with just 268 receiving yards.
Oregon State's Luke Musgrave would be a great complement to Bellinger in New York's offense. The 55th-ranked prospect on the B/R board, the 6'6", 252-pound Musgrave has tons of physical upside, but only appeared in two games this past season due to a knee injury.
However, Musgrave appeared to be close to 100 percent during Senior Bowl practices.
"Musgrave—the best of the bunch—improved over the course of the week," NFL Media's Daniel Jeremiah wrote. "He's getting back into football shape after missing all but two games last season due to injury."
With Bellinger in the fold and receiver a much bigger need for New York, the Giants may not target a tight end on opening night. However, a prospect like Musgrave could be the perfect middle-round option for the position.
Aubrey Miller Jr., LB, Jackson State
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Offense may be the biggest concern for the Giants, as they look to build around and continue developing Jones. However, New York cannot afford to ignore its defense over draft weekend.
Specifically, the Giants must address a run defense that ranked 31st in yards per carry allowed (5.2).
This is where Jackson State linebacker Aubrey Miller Jr. comes into play. While Miller is on the smaller side, he has an aggressive style of play and a nose for the football that flashed in the Senior Bowl.
"Jackson State's Aubrey Miller Jr. had a nice week," NFL Media's Eric Edholm wrote. "...His size (5-11, 229) will be considered a detriment. But he certainly showed physicality that should serve him well at the next level, including his tackle of Northwestern RB Evan Hull on the game's first offensive play, the first of his team-high seven stops."
While fans will largely focus on who the Giants will draft early, it's important to remember that late-round prospects can make an early impact too. Miller is one New York should have its eyes on as the draft unfolds.
*Salary cap information via Spotrac.
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