The New York Giants could have selected a quarterback with their sixth overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft, but chose to draft an offensive playmaker in LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers, signaling confidence in quarterback Daniel Jones.

Jones is coming off a season-ending ACL injury in 2023 and his play over the last several years as the team’s signal-caller has been inconsistent. The organization is looking for more playoff success after beating the Minnesota Vikings in the 2022 Wildcard matchup. The postseason win was the first time the team made the playoffs since their Super Bowl during the 2011 run.

Prior to the Giants’ selection, three quarterbacks went off of the board in Caleb Williams to the Chicago Bears first overall, Jayden Daniels to the Washington Commanders second overall, and Drake Maye to the New England Patriots third overall. The Arizona Cardinals drafted Ohio State University wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. fourth overall and the Los Angeles Chargers took offensive lineman Joe Alt with their fifth overall selection.

The draft was expected to be dominated by quarterbacks as many were projected to be taken in the first round. The Giants surprised many by not selecting a quarterback with their sixth pick, and the addition of LSU receiver Malik Nabers ultimately gave a vote of confidence in Daniel Jones for the 2024 season when he returns to the football gridiron.

This offseason, knowing that Jones is overcoming a season-ending knee injury, the organization picked up long-time veteran backup and once former starter Drew Lock from the Seattle Seahawks. Lock has never panned out as a true starter in the NFL, but last season with the Seahawks, he showed promise and managed several games quite well, displaying his growth and maturity from his earlier Denver days.

Nabers brings a new excitement to an organization whose offense was dreadful a season ago. A revolving door at quarterback and opposing teams selling out for the run to stop Saquon Barkley, really gave New York fans heartaches as they watched such a dismal football team. This all changes in 2024 with an offensive weapon in Nabers who has the potential to be the best wide receiver in the entire NFL Draft years down the road.

The 20-year-old LSU product played in 13 games last season and caught 89 receptions for 1,569 yards and 14 touchdowns. He averaged 17.6 yards per reception, which is an outstanding feat. His speed, route-running ability, and natural ability to catch contested passes, will help electrify a very stale Giants offense.

Drafting Nabers was the right move for the Giants and if things get bad in 2024, the Giants could always take a quarterback in next year’s draft. However, I believe with the recent offseason additions and the change at the defensive coordinator role, the organization is better off from a season ago and will be in a win now mode rather than a rebuilding year.