Giants 2023 NFL Mock Draft: Roundup of B/R Staff, Kiper and Expert Picks
The New York Giants made it to the divisional round of the playoffs this past season, and they're now looking to take their success a step further.
New York extended quarterback Daniel Jones, franchise-tagged running back Saquon Barkley and re-signed the likes of Sterling Shepard and Darius Slayton. They also traded for Darren Waller and added players such as Parris Campbell and Jamison Crowder.
The Giants are already well-positioned to be better than they were a year ago. They can continue improving the roster in next week's draft, in which they have 10 selections, including the 25th overall pick.
It remains to be seen which positions New York will look to improve in the draft, but the experts certainly have their predictions.
Here, we'll examine the latest mock drafts of the Bleacher Report Scouting Department, ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. and NFL Media's Cynthia Frelund to get a bead on what the Giants could be thinking on opening night.
B/R Scouting Department: IOL Steve Avila, TCU
1 of 3
The B/R Scouting Department paired the Giants with TCU offensive lineman Steve Avila at No. 25. It's a logical choice with the goal of supporting Jones and Barkley in mind.
New York appears to have its bookend tackles in Andrew Thomas and Evan Neal. Strengthening the interior of the offensive line would be smart, and Avila could provide the Giants with options.
From Brandon Thorn of the B/R Scouting Department:
"Avila started games during his TCU career at center and both guard spots. ...New York maximized its shaky offensive line outside of left tackle Andrew Thomas last season with extensive play-action and run-pass options but could start to add more true drop-back passes to increase the scheme's unpredictability with Avila as a key piece up front."
Avila is the top-ranked pure interior lineman on the Bleacher Report Scouting Department's big board—ranked only behind Peter Skoronski, who might wind up playing tackle at the next level.
The beauty of drafting Avila is that the Giants could simply pluck him from the draft and find a role for him along the interior after the fact.
ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr.: CB DJ Turner II, Michigan
2 of 3
Kiper went defense in his mock draft, dropping Michigan defensive back DJ Turner II,
Cornerback might not seem like a huge need for the Giants, which ranked 12th in yards per attempt allowed (6.0). But they could use a playmaker in the secondary after generating only six interceptions last season.
Turner, 22, is an extremely talented prospect and a rising one.
"Turner is a hot name in the league right now, largely because scouts and execs went back to the tape after his 4.26-second 40-yard dash at the combine," Kiper wrote. "That was the fourth-fastest time at the combine since 2003. He's in the first-round discussion now."
Turner at this spot feels like a bit of a reach, though. He's the 11th-ranked cornerback on the B/R board and the 89th-ranked overall prospect. In Kiper's mock, Illinois' Devon Witherspoon, Oregon's Christian Gonzalez, Penn State's Joey Porter Jr., Maryland's Deonte Banks and Mississippi State's Emmanuel Forbes were all cornerbacks drafted ahead of Turner.
With that sort of positional run, New York might benefit from targeting a different position and looking at cornerbacks on Day 2. Of course, Turner has the type of speed that is impossible to coach, and if the Giants fall in love with it, he could be the pick.
NFL Media's Cynthia Frelund: WR Zay Flowers, Boston College
3 of 3
Like the B/R Scouting Department, Frelund went with an offensive player in her mock. Instead of going with a lineman, though, she paired New York with a playmaking receiver in Zay Flowers.
Frelund also predicted an early run on cornerbacks, which led to the selection of the Boston College product.
"Corner or WR? WR or corner? That's what these past few picks have been all about. I'm sticking with Flowers as the Giants' pick, with the receiver just edging out the remaining corners," she wrote.
Porter, Banks, Gonzalez and Witherspoon were all off the board by the 25th pick in Frelund's mock. Flowers shouldn't be viewed as just a consolation prize, though.
Despite being a smaller receiver (5'9", 182 lbs), Flowers is a legitimate playmaker who could become a terrific go-to target for Jones. He might not have the size to be an archetypal No. 1 perimeter receiver, but he would immediately become New York's top pass-catching threat.
While New York has upgraded its receiver corps this offseason, it has room for an explosive threat like the Fort Lauderdale, Florida native.
Flowers is the fourth-ranked receiver on the B/R board after TCU's Quentin Johnston, Ohio State's Jaxon Smith-Njigba and USC's Jordan Addison. He was also the fourth receiver taken in Frelund's mock after those three.
.png?w=256)
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
.png?w=480)
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
