American Football

Giants news, 1/30: BBV mock draft 1.0, Darius Slayton, Xavier McKinney, more headlines

January 30, 2023

New York Giants headlines for Thursday

Ed’s mock draft 1.0: A big-play wide receiver in Round 1 for the Giants

With the season over, Giant fans now begin to cast their eyes on the area of needs and who can fill those gaps through the draft. BBV’s Ed Valentine recently posted his first three round mock draft, picking a Boston College wide receiver, a cornerback from Syracuse, an Iowa linebacker and a center from TCU.

The first pick is Zay Flowers, a smaller wide receiver then Valentine wants but believes fits head coach Brian Daboll’s offense.

I really would love to find a big, physical wide receiver right here, but TCU’s 6-foot-4, 215-pound Quentin Johnston is long gone….I know that Flowers seems to duplicate Wan’Dale Robinson, but the way the Giants used stack and bunch formations in 2022 I’m not all that concerned about it. I’m concerned about adding playmakers, and that’s what I think this pick accomplishes.

The next two picks are CB Garrett Williams at No. 57 and LB Jack Campbell at No. 89, looking to shore up two positions on the defensive side of the ball that were glaring needs for anyone that watched the Giants this year.

With the 100th pick of the draft, BBV has Big Blu taking the 6-foot-4, 330-pound center Steve Avila. The pick makes sense as the middle of the offensive line was a concern last year and as Valentine points out “there is no long-term answer on the Giants’ roster” at center.

Other Giant observations

Should Giants’ Joe Schoen trade for Bengals’ Tee Higgins | nj.com

Higgins was a second-round pick in 2020, so he will be eligible for a second contract this offseason, after Year 3. He’ll also be entering the final year of his rookie deal, since only first-round picks can be slapped with the fifth-year option. Because of that, expect Higgins to push for an extension this offseason, especially if the Bengals win the Super Bowl.

The Bengals figure to pay quarterback Joe Burrow (drafted in 2020) big money this offseason and do the same for receiver Ja’Marr Chase (drafted in 2021) next offseason. They probably won’t be able to also pay Higgins. So why not get something for him in a trade, sooner rather than later?

Could Giants pay Wink Martindale more to keep him in New York? | The Record

There’s no guarantee that Martindale, who has been very public about his desire to become a head coach, would pass on the opportunity for a raise. But it is an option and one the Giants might explore should they come to that bridge.

They may have the upper hand in this scenario because Martindale has also been open about how he views the Giants and his role with the organization, as he considers co-owner John Mara a friend and clearly has a good relationship with head coach Brian Daboll.

McKinney: We just need a couple more pieces and we’re going to be rolling

Giants 2022 rookie recap: Are there building blocks beyond Kayvon Thibodeaux? | The Athletic

Ill health was the dominant headline for his first rookie class. Even the players who managed to make it to the regular season spent some time recuperating from one injury or another. Still, GM Joe Schoen said, overall he was pleased with the picks.

“When healthy, I think there’s going to be some really good contributors out of the class, then some other guys that will be really good depth players for us,” he said. “But smart, tough, dependable players that we’re happy we have.”

Re-Drafting the 2022 NFL Draft | Bleacher Report

The Giants would still choose Edge Kayvon Thibodeaux as the fifth pick overall. But instead of RT Evan Neal at 7, the choice would be Ohio St. WR Garrett Wilson.

Mike Francesa gives Giants some Saquon Barkley free agency advice | ESNY.com

“If the Giants move on because they don’t want to put that kind of money in a second contract for a running back, do not ever get annoyed with them,” the WFAN legend said on his BetRivers podcast. “Because that might be the smartest thing they can do. I do not believe in loading up second contracts for a running back with incredible money. If he’s going to ask for the sun, the moon and the stars? He can move on. They can move on without him.”

The reaction from WR Darius Slayton had us ROTFL

1. This post is cap but more importantly 2. Ide chop both his legs off before i let him get to date Margot before me https://t.co/3OlRf4fMGa

— Darius Slayton (@Young_Slay2) January 29, 2023

Broncos begin researching other potential coaching candidates | ProFootballTalk

Reports indicate the Broncos have recently done research on other candidates as well as re-engaging with Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh, in the event that the need to expand their coaching search. One candidate, per the report, is Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka.