After adding electric wide receiver Malik Nabers on Day 1 of the 2024 NFL Draft, the New York Giants spent their Day 2 picks filling holes in their defensive secondary.
With their second-round pick, the Giants found a new starting safety to replace Xavier McKinney by selecting Minnesota’s Tyler Nubin. One round later, Giants GM Joe Schoen bolstered the secondary with Kentucky cornerback Andru Phillips.
The Phillips selection is particularly interesting as it seems like the Giants want to play him at nickel. That means they have room to add another cornerback to play outside, opposite of 2023 first-round pick Deonte Banks.
Phillips has versatility, but Schoen said he’ll likely start out working the slot. Would make sense to put him there and flip Flott outside since Bowen’s defense puts an emphasis on run D from the slot.
— Dan Duggan (@DDuggan21) April 27, 2024
One other position to watch for on Day 3 is running back, as Schoen said Friday night they wouldn’t rule out selecting one. And with Darren Waller still mulling retirement, you’d have to think tight end is a consideration.
With that, here are best remaining players who could fit the Giants’ needs. They are listed in order of their ranking on Dane Brugler’s top remaining prospects.
(Notes: The number listed next to each player is their final overall rank on Brugler’s top 300. A * means they completed a Top-30 visit with the Giants.)
55. T.J. Tampa, CB, Iowa State (6-0, 194)
Tampa didn’t work out at the NFL Scouting Combine because of a hamstring injury, but he’s proven reliable before then: His 2024 bowl opt-out was the only game he missed over the past three seasons. He’s got experience lining up as a left outside corner in a zone-heavy scheme. That came over three years as a starter, which would be beneficial to the Giants in search of another outside starter.
*72. Spencer Rattler, QB, South Carolina (6-0, 211 pounds)
Rattler has garnered attention since his high school days as a former five-star recruit. He transferred to South Carolina after a tumultuous tenure at Oklahoma and played well for the Gamecocks. He also was named the MVP of the 2024 Senior Bowl game. Brugler noted he’s got the “arm talent, self-confidence and work habits” to help him climb an NFL depth chart. He and Tulane’s Michael Pratt are the last of the quarterbacks who could make sense for the Giants if they want some upside at the position.
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80. Theo Johnson, TE, Penn State (6-6, 259)
The Giants still don’t know if Waller is going to play this year. It makes sense, therefore, for them to operate as if he isn’t returning. Even if he does, Waller will be 32 soon, so investing in a young tight end is wise. Brugler said that while Johnson is a work in progress, he’s a worthy long-term investment for an NFL team, which sounds exactly the kind of prospect the Giants could use.
97. Braelon Allen, RB, Wisconsin (6-1, 235)
Despite his big fame, Allen isn’t as nasty as you’d want, Brugler said. However, he has solid vision and agility, along with some third-down potential. He could serve as a good complement to starter Devin Singletary. Allen has the distinction of being the youngest player in this draft class (he’ll be 20 years old his entire rookie season) which has to be appealing for front offices thinking about running back value and career longevity.
*98. Audric Estime, RB Notre Dame (5-11, 222 pounds)
Estime led the Fighting Irish in rushing each of the past two seasons (6.2 yards per carry) and has excellent after-contact ability (averaged 4.27 yards after contact in 2023, fourth best in the FBS). He’s also got pass-catching potential — he caught all 26 of his career targets in his career — which would be a useful skill in Daboll’s offense.
101. Cade Stover, TE, Ohio State (6-3, 247)
Again, amid the uncertainty with Waller, it wouldn’t hurt to invest in another right end. Stover might never be a top-tier blocker, but he is solid in all phases. According to Brugler, “with his defensive mentality, offensive skills and special-teams experience, he projects as an NFL role player with starting upside and valuable versatility.”
104. Michael Pratt, QB, Tulane (6-2, 217)
It still feels unlikely the Giants would use a later-round pick on a quarterback. Schoen was asked about the idea of drafting a QB in the later rounds recently, and he said, “The hit rate at that position in (late) rounds is not high.”
Still, Brugler selected Pratt with the Giants’ fourth-round pick in his seven-round mock, and it had us intrigued. Brugler reasoned that taking a swing on a promising passer outside the first round makes sense. Keep swinging until you get it right.
166 Justin Eboigbe, DL, Alabama (6-4, 297 pounds)
The biggest question about Eboigbe is health after he missed most of the 2022 season with a herniated disk. But Eboigbe returned in 2023 to make first-team All-SEC, and if he’s cleared by NFL teams, he could provide scheme-versatile depth. That sounds like exactly what the Giants could use on their line.
*195. Tyrice Knight, LB, UTEP (6-0, 233 pounds)
Inside linebacker is one position the Giants have covered thanks to starters Bobby Okereke and Micah McFadden. But if the Giants want more depth, a late-round pick like Knight could make sense. Knight has instincts and play personality that led directly to production, Brugler said, which could make him an appealing pick.
*265. Chigozie Anusiem, CB, Colorado State (6-1, 200 pounds)
Anusiem will be a 24-year-old rookie, but he plays with an edge and has the measurables coveted by NFL teams, Brugler said. He projects as a rotational press-man corner with zone experience. The Giants need a starting corner, and that may be too much to ask of Anusiem early. However, he can provide secondary depth while being a special teams contributor.
(Photo of Braelon Allen: David Berding / Getty Images)
