Big Blue View
Still no quarterback, but a different first-round pass catcher for New York
The New York Giants are in Germany preparing for the Carolina Panthers before their Week 11 bye. We’re at the point in the season for reflection, and Jay Busbee of Yahoo Sports delivered by re-drafting the 2024 NFL Draft.
There are several takeaways that may pique the interest of a Giants’ fan. Let’s start by going through Busbee’s first five picks:
1. Chicago Bears: QB Jayden Daniels. (Actual pick: QB Caleb Williams)
2. Washington Commanders: QB Caleb Williams. (Actual pick: QB Jayden Daniels)
3. New England Patriots: QB Drake Maye. (Actual pick: Same)
4. Arizona Cardinals: WR Malik Nabers. (Actual pick: WR Marvin Harrison Jr.)
5. Los Angeles Chargers: DE Jared Verse. (Actual pick: OT Joe Alt)
Jayden Daniels leapfrogged Caleb Williams, the Drake Maye pick was the same, and Rams’ edge defender Jared Verse earned a top-five slot. More interestingly, Malik Nabers was selected by the Cardinals over Marvin Harrison Jr.
The Malik Nabers vs. Marvin Harrison Jr. debate long proceeded the season, albeit the latter received more attention as the ‘top prospect’ at the wide receiver position. Here are their rookie statistics so far:
Nabers has missed two games with a concussion and Harrison Jr. only played eight snaps in Week 6. The return on investment favors Nabers, who is the fulcrum of the Giants’ offense.
The Giants are up next with the sixth pick, so Marvin Harrison Jr. it is right? NOPE! Busbee gave the Giants Georgia tight end Brock Bowers. Here’s his reasoning:
6. New York Giants: TE Brock Bowers. (Actual pick: WR Malik Nabers) With Nabers off the board, the Giants go for another already-proven commodity, and Bowers has already established himself as one of the league’s top tight ends. Daniel Jones gets his bailout.
I’m a huge Bowers fan and his production is already at an elite level. The 21-year-old has 57 catches on 70 targets for 580 yards with two scores. He has more catches and yards than both Nabers and Harrison Jr. He leads all tight ends in catches and yards as a rookie.
Bowers is more than just a tight end. He’s a skilled pass-catcher who will likely reset the tight end market when it’s his time to get paid. Bowers aligns in the slot at a 56% rate, with a 19% wide snap share. He’s not a wide receiver, but he’s one of the best pass-catching tight ends one will find.
One small gripe with the Bowers pick would be his contract. Bowers would make $7.3-million average annual salary if he was picked sixth. That would place him in the top 20 of tight ends around the league with a total-value of around $29-million, ranking him 13th in the NFL. Nabers doesn’t even sniff the top-30 at his position with that price tag.
It’s interesting that Busbee didn’t give the Giants a quarterback with the conversation around the position and the mediocre play New York has received....
