Giants news, 3/23: J.J. McCarthy, Rome Odunze, Malik Nabers, more headlines

New York Giants news for Saturday

Good morning, New York Giants fans!

Giants mock draft tracker: A three-way race at No. 6
As far as the NFL mock draft world is concerned, it is a three-horse race for who the New York Giants should select with the No. 6 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Those three are Washington wide receiver Rome Odunze, LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers and Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy.

For the first time since we began posting these trackers a few weeks ago, it is Odunze drawing the most support at No. 6. He was selected in 20 of 55 mocks used this time (36.4%). Nabers was selected in 18 mocks (32.7%). That means that 38 of 55 mock drafters (69.1%) think the Giants should take the best wide receiver on the board.

Twelve of the 55 mock drafts (21.8%) have the Giants selecting a quarterback. Ten of those mock drafts (18.2%) give McCarthy to the Giants with their first selection.

From Big Blue View

• Giants’ GM Joe Schoen skips Michigan Pro Day
• NFL free agency: Giants re-sign WR Isaiah Hodgins
• NFL free agency: Giants agree to terms with OT Matt Nelson
• 2024 NFL Draft prospect profile: Xavier Worthy, WR, Texas
• 2024 NFL Draft prospect profiles: Who will be Giants?
• 2024 NFL Draft pro day tracker: Who are the Giants watching?

Other Giant observations

As NFL quarterback carousel spins, which recent moves were upgrades and downgrades? | The Athletic

New York Giants sign Drew Lock Verdict: Upgrade

After a career reset in Seattle, Lock showed promise while filling in for an injured Geno Smith last season. Daniel Jones, who is coming back from a season-ending ACL tear, seemingly is in his last days as Giants starter. After an encouraging 2022 campaign, the turnover woes and lack of effectiveness that have plagued him for much of his career resurfaced, stoking frustrations within the organization. Lock has a chance to capitalize and offer the Giants a fresh start at the position.

Ex-Giants coordinator is getting a big paycheck | NJ.com

After parting ways with Brian Daboll, former Giants defensive coordinator Wink Martindale took the same job with Michigan and is already doing pretty well for himself.

According to Austin Meek of The Athletic, Martindale inked a deal with the Wolverines that makes him the highest-paid assistant coach in college football with a base salary of $2.3 million in 2024, going up to $2.5 million in 2025 and $2.7 million in 2026.

1 Word to Describe Every Team’s 2024 NFL Offseason After Early Free Agency | Bleacher Report

New York Giants: Indecisive — Are they trying to contend or are they accepting that a rebuild is around the corner? With Brian Burns and Jon Runyan in but Saquon Barkley and Xavier McKinney out, it’s very difficult to tell.

Cowboys Acquire Khalil Herbert, Zach Wilson Gets Moved, and More Potential Pre-Draft Deals | Pro Football Network

Giants acquire: S Richie Grant Falcons acquire: Conditional 2025 seventh-round pick

Richie Grant’s role as a starting Falcons safety was in peril at the end of last season, when the veteran defender was briefly benched for seventh-round rookie DeMarcco Hellams. If the Falcons roll with Hellams or find another safety, Grant could be on the Giants’ radar. New York lost free agent safety Xavier McKinney to the Green Bay Packers. Although Big Blue signed Jalen Mills to play alongside incumbent safety Jason Pinnock, Grant could give the Giants optionality.

New York Giants have 6th-most expensive offense in NFL | USAToday.com

Currently, the Giants’ offense is slated to cost over $148 million in 2024, according to NFL analyst Warren Sharp, who cites Over the Cap’s figure. That total is the sixth-highest in the NFL. Daniel Jones takes up the most space (as he should), but behind him is Andrew Thomas, whose 2024 cap hit is less than half Jones’.

Also per Over the Cap, the Giants’ offense takes up over roughly 63% of the team’s spending. Of that amount, roughly 22% goes to the offensive line.

Around the league

Cowboys seem to be willing to let Dak Prescott hit the market in 2025 | Pro Football Talk

Odell Beckham Jr.’s has positive meeting with Dolphins, per report | CBSSports.com

Joe Flacco ‘definitely grateful’ to have spot with Colts, ‘little bit’ surprised he’s not back with Browns | NFL.com

Could Sam Howell be more than Seahawks’ QB2 behind Geno Smith? | ESPN.com

Jaguars new QB Mac Jones explains what led to him being traded from Patriots | CBSSports.com

Bears’ DJ Moore excited for Keenan Allen addition: It might be a race to 1,000 yards | NFL.com

Welsh rugby player Louis Rees-Zammit to visit Browns, Jets in bid for NFL career | Pro Football Talk

Steelers’ Patrick Queen eager to prove he can be ‘that guy’ without former Ravens teammate | CBSSports.com

2024 NFL free agency: Experts debate best, worst deals | ESPN.com

Joe Hortiz: Teams “are gauging my interest” in trading No. 5 pick | Pro Football Talk

Michael Penix Jr.’s draft ceiling: What film shows about Washington QB’s NFL potential | The Athletic

Rich McKay declines to share Competition Committee’s position on delay of trade deadline | Pro Football Talk

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