NY Giants draft grades 2024: Analysis for every pick, including Malik Nabers
EAST RUTHERFORD - The New York Giants had a lot at stake at this weekend's NFL Draft in Detroit.
The festivities will likely define the Joe Schoen and Brian Daboll era, much like the pairing of Ernie Accorsi and Tom Coughlin made their bold move 20 years ago.
That, of course, was when the Giants traded for Eli Manning, despite initial pleas from owner Wellington Mara to stick with Kerry Collins and the cries from fans that the organization gave away too much to the Chargers in the deal that sent Philip Rivers and three picks to San Diego.
In hindsight, the trade is remembered for the stroke of genius Accorsi had to sell out for Manning, an eventual two-time Super Bowl MVP and the best quarterback in franchise history. At the time, it was a huge gamble.
The Giants and this regime, in the end, decided not to force a quarterback Thursday night despite a historic run with six QBs going in the first 12 picks. Here's how we grade what Schoen and Daboll did:
Malik Nabers NFL draft grade
Grade: A
Why: Nabers, the LSU star, immediately becomes the one player on the Giants' offense that puts defenses on their heels. He's explosive and his separation rate is through the roof. Odell Beckham Jr. is the last 1,000-yard receiver for the Giants in 2018, and Nabers, 20, brings that element of playmaking ability. An absolute home run hitter on the field with the No. 6 overall pick.
Nabers said it: "It's just second nature, me being an athlete, me being a dog. Just going out there and always being that person a quarterback can rely on, giving the ball to, having that confidence in myself and the quarterback. When the ball is in the quarterback's hands, Malik is going to be open."
Tyler Nubin NFL draft grade
Grade: B+
Why: Nubin, the star from Minnesota, oozes confidence and leadership. He was the first safety selected with the No. 47 overall pick in the second round and the Giants considered him the best at the position in the Class of 2024 as well. A true ball hawk with 13 career interceptions, Nubin should step in for Xavier McKinney and be one of the key performers on the back end at safety with Jason Pinnock and Dane Belton.
Nubin said it: "I'm an everything player. I feel like I'm a guy that can do it all on the field. I like to call myself a Swiss Army knife. I can move around everywhere. I can blitz. I am come down and hit the box, I can play over the top. Anywhere on the field I'm comfortable."
Andru Phillips NFL draft grade
Grade: B-
Why: I'm higher on Phillips, the cornerback from Kentucky, than some. Been pounding the table for him since the Combine, and the Giants nabbed him with the No. 70 pick in the third round. He's got a great combo of toughness and coverage ability. Might be more of a slot than a boundary corner, but his experience there in a secondary that presents opportunities for younger players puts Phillips in position to have an earlier than expected impact.
Phillips said it: "In coverage, I'm sticky. I'm going to get the ball off dudes. I'm going to do my job in the back end."
Theo Johnson NFL draft grade
Grade: B+
Why: The Giants have to prepare as if Darren Waller is going to retire, even though Waller told NorthJersey.com on Friday afternoon that he has not officially made his decision. The 6-foot-6 Johnson earned rave reviews from the Giants in the pre-draft process and with his smooth skill set as a receiver, he should have a chance to step up in the role they envisioned for Waller. He visited with the team and was their selection with the No. 107 pick in the fourth round Saturday.
Johnson said it: "I think I'm definitely capable of being a tight end that you can't take off the field with all the attributes that I have and I'm going to work for that."
Tyrone Tracy Jr. NFL draft grade
Grade: B-
Why: Tracy has played a lot of college football and he'll turn 25 in November. Sometimes you have to give up something to get something good, and an overlooked part of the Giants' trade with the Carolina Panthers was the swap of their fifth-round picks. That moved Big Blue from No. 141 to No. 166, and in between the Giants' fourth and fifth round picks, there was a significant run on backs, including Notre Dame's Audric Estime. So the Giants went with Tracy, who spent four years at Iowa before playing the last two at Purdue.
This is an eye-popping stat and may speak to the Giants' interest in Tracy and his raw gifts: according to Pro Football focus, his 23.1% explosive run rate is the best in this year’s class and in the 97th percentile among all prospects since 2018.
The converted receiver could end up as a return specialist with the Giants, especially with the new kickoff rules. Tracy blew up the Combine and there may be some untapped upside to his game. If he has an impact on special teams right away, this grade could skyrocket. Tracy had a 98-yard kickoff return for a TD at Purdue and ranked second in the Big 10 in kickoff return yardage.
Darius Muasau NFL draft grade
Grade: C
Why: The Giants wanted to add depth to their inside linebacker room and did just that by selecting UCLA's Muasau with the 183rd pick in the sixth round. He led the Bruins in tackles each of the past two seasons. According to The Athletic's Dane Brugler, Muasau is a well-rounded linebacker "with the play recognition and tacklingskills that will translate to any level." His comp: Sione Takitaki, the former Browns reserve now with the Patriots.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: NY Giants draft grades 2024: Analyzing every Giant draft pick
