Giants' Top 2023 NFL Draft Targets

The New York Giants have a clear objective in the first round of the 2023 NFL draft: To emerge from Thursday with either a cornerback or wide receiver.

Brian Daboll's team needs to make upgrades at both positions to chase down the Philadelphia Eagles at the top of the NFC East.

Cornerback seems like the more likely position for the Giants' first-round selection with so many teams in need of wide receivers before the No. 25 overall pick.

The second tier of cornerback prospects features a few intriguing players, including one who had a nose for the ball in his final collegiate season.

Whichever position is not targeted by the Giants at No. 25 should be the focus of the team's picks in the second and third rounds.

Emmanuel Forbes, CB, Mississippi State

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STARKVILLE, MS - OCTOBER 01: Mississippi State Bulldogs cornerback Emmanuel Forbes (13) returns an interception for a touchdown during the game between the Mississippi State Bulldogs and the Texas A&M Aggies on October 1, 2022 at Davis Wade Stadium in Starkville, MS. (Photo by Chris McDill/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Emmanuel Forbes should be one of two cornerback targets for the Giants at No. 25.

The Mississippi State product could have the edge over Maryland's Deonte Banks because of his interception totals.

Forbes produced 14 interceptions in three collegiate seasons and returned six of those picks for touchdowns. He also had 20 passes defended and 6.5 sacks during his time with the Bulldogs.

New York did not have any player record more than two interceptions in the 2022 season.

The Giants need more aggressive playmakers in the secondary to take away the threats posed by all three NFC East rivals.

Adoree' Jackson is the only notable cornerback on their current depth chart. Forbes could slot into a starting position right away in his rookie season, and he may be the Giants' version of what their cross-town rival has, per Matt Miller of ESPN.

"I didn't see any lack of strength in his actual tape," one AFC area scout told Miller. "He's lean, but so was Sauce Gardner."

Deonte Banks, CB, Maryland

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STATE COLLEGE, PA - NOVEMBER 12: Deonte Banks #3 of the Maryland Terrapins is called for pass interference against Mitchell Tinsley #5 of the Penn State Nittany Lions during the second half at Beaver Stadium on November 12, 2022 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)

Deonte Banks is the other logical choice at No. 25 if the Giants want to pursue a first-round corner.

The top three corners, Devon Witherspoon, Christian Gonzalez and Joey Porter Jr., should be off the board long before New York is on the clock.

Mel Kiper Jr. of ESPN detailed why the Giants should look into Banks at No. 25.

"Banks has the size, speed and instincts to be a No. 1 corner," he wrote.

Size may actually matter for the Giants because of all the physical wide receivers they have to deal with in the NFC East, starting with A.J. Brown in Philadelphia and Terry McLaurin in Washington.

Banks weighed in 31 pounds heavier than Forbes at the NFL combine. He also has a larger hand size at 9⅜ inches compared to Forbes' 8½ inches.

Both players are listed at a similar height and arm length, but Banks' physical presence could convince the Giants to pick him.

The 22-year-old only had two interceptions in his career, but he did have eight passes defended last season and 83 total tackles during his time with Maryland.

Forbes is the flashier CB pick because of the interceptions, but Banks might be the more practical choice for the Giants due to his physical play on the outside.

Quentin Johnston, WR, TCU

Set Number: X164269 TK1

College Football: Fiesta Bowl: TCU Quentin Johnston (1) in action, runs with the football vs Michigan at State Farm Stadium. Glendale, AZ 12/31/2022 CREDIT: John W. McDonough (Photo by John W. McDonough /Sports Illustrated via Getty Images) (Set Number: X164269 TK1)

New York needs to come away from the draft with at least one new target for Daniel Jones.

The Giants enter the selection process with Isaiah Hodgins, Parris Campbell, Darius Slayton, Jamison Crowder, Wan'Dale Robinson and Sterling Shepard on their wide receiver depth chart.

None of those players are No. 1 wideouts in the NFL, and a handful of them have dealt with injury issues throughout their careers.

The Giants need a fresh, young wide receiver to help Jones and take some offensive pressure off Saquon Barkley's shoulders.

Quentin Johnston will likely be available in any scenario that unfolds in front of New York.

The needs of other teams could take away the possibility of landing Jordan Addison or Zay Flowers, but most of the recent projections have Johnston being available for the Giants.

The Baltimore Ravens at No. 22 and Minnesota Vikings at No. 23 could select wide receivers. The former needs added help for Lamar Jackson, and the latter must replace Adam Thielen.

Kiper and Todd McShay have Johnston as the No. 26 pick, Miller has him at No. 27, and Dane Brugler of The Athletic has the TCU product at No. 33 overall.

Johnston exploded on the collegiate scene with 60 receptions, 1,069 yards and six touchdown as the Horned Frogs advanced to the National Championship Game.

He is the big-play wide receiver the Giants need, and one who could relegate the current WRs into more familiar supporting roles in the offense.