In a recent revelation by NFL insider Peter Schrager, the New York Giants are speculated to be considering a bold move in the upcoming 2024 NFL Draft. According to Schrager’s mock draft, the Giants could potentially trade up to the fourth overall pick, targeting former Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy. This strategy, however, could be a significant misstep for the franchise at a critical rebuilding juncture.
Pursuing J.J. McCarthy at a Costly Draft Pick Exchange
The Giants’ front office is rumored to be considering a trade that would send their sixth and seventieth picks in the 2024 draft, along with a second-rounder in 2025, to the Arizona Cardinals for the fourth overall pick. While acquiring a top quarterback prospect like McCarthy is enticing, the cost appears steep, especially for a team with multiple needs across the board.
Addressing New York Giants’ Needs
New York’s roster showcases glaring gaps that a single rookie quarterback might not be able to fill. The departure of star running back Saquon Barkley to the Eagles has left a void that the team attempted to plug with the addition of Devin Singletary—a serviceable but not game-changing talent.
Furthermore, the team has not made significant enhancements at the wide receiver position, an area that desperately needs attention if they aim to bolster their offensive firepower.
The offensive line also presents concerns. Despite the addition of guard Jon Runyan and tackle Jermaine Eluemunor in free agency, recent draft selections such as center John Michael Schmitz Jr. and tackle Evan Neal have underperformed, ranking among the worst at their positions last season. These issues underline the necessity for comprehensive team-building rather than a narrow focus on acquiring a new quarterback.
In his first mock of the 2024 NFL Draft, @PSchrags has the Giants trading up for QB J.J. McCarthy. Meanwhile, the Vikings come away with a CB, as well as a QB of their own. Check out the full first-round forecast, 1-32.https://t.co/WHzjQeubgG pic.twitter.com/tRm6UehQcX
— NFL Draft (@NFLDraft) April 16, 2024
Defensive Dilemmas and Strategic Alternatives
On the defensive side, the Giants need to solidify their secondary and enhance their depth along the defensive line, despite having a cornerstone player like Dexter Lawrence. These areas could significantly benefit from high draft picks, which would be sacrificed in a trade-up scenario.
Moreover, the draft dynamics could still favor the Giants without them needing to trade up. Teams like the Vikings or Broncos might not be aggressive enough in their bids, possibly leaving McCarthy available at the sixth pick. This scenario would allow New York to retain its draft assets while still possibly securing their quarterback of the future.
The Risks of Repeating History
We saw last year in Carolina with Bryce Young what a young quarterback looks like with inadequate talent around him. New York shouldn’t want to follow that path, but by trading up for McCarthy, it might.
In conclusion, while the allure of trading up in the draft to snag a potential franchise quarterback is strong, the Giants would be wise to focus on a more holistic team-building approach. Retaining their draft capital to address multiple roster issues could offer a more balanced and sustainable path to becoming competitive again.
As enticing as it might be to make a splash with a high-profile draft pick, the Giants should consider whether it’s the strategic move that best suits their long-term goals.
Source: Yardbarker
