New York Giants general manager Joe Schoen has done a great job of upgrading the offensive weapons this offseason. The team locked quarterback Daniel Jones up on a long-term deal and got to work ensuring he has the best chance to succeed in 2023.
The biggest move that New York made was acquiring tight end Darren Waller from the Las Vegas Raiders. It took a third-round pick to land him, as he comes with some injury concerns the last two seasons. However, he is only two seasons removed from dominant back-to-back 1,100+ yard campaigns.
At wide receiver, most of the band is being brought back. Isaiah Hodgins, Sterling Shepard and Darius Slayton were all re-signed. They will be joined by Parris Campbell and Jamison Crowder. The depth and talent at wide receiver have certainly improved, but the Giants are still missing that true No. 1, go-to receiver.
Could that help come via the 2023 NFL Draft? New York’s depth chart is full of possession, slot receiver types; they could use a boundary fit to bring everything together. Currently slated to pick 25th, a few options could be available when the Giants come on the clock.
One player to keep an eye on is Zay Flowers out of Boston College. Flowers doesn’t have the prototypical size of a No. 1 receiver, standing only 5’9” but he plays much bigger. He has experience playing in the slot and on the perimeter, while also being used as a ball carrier.
Getting the ball into his hands in the open field is where he can make an impact. Alas, there are rumors that he is now a lock to be selected inside the top 20 and could even be the first wide receiver off the board.
If not Flowers, another player to keep an eye on is Quentin Johnston out of TCU. Given an Alshon Jeffrey player comp, Johnston would bring some size and big play ability to the Giants’ passing game.
His athleticism is off the charts, and when combined with his size and length, he has the prototypical build you are looking for from a boundary receiver. Alas, he does have some concentration and drop issues, but that is something the coaching staff can help him clean up.
That size and speed, however, is something you cannot teach and will help make a case for him to go in the first round. Jones is one of the more accurate deep-ball throwers in the NFL, which makes him a great fit for Johnston.
