Daniel Jeremiah updates Giants' pick in latest mock draft
The NFL offseason is moving along as we are now less than one week away from festivities kicking off in Indianapolis for the 2024 Combine.
Before the NFL world converges in Indy, NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah released his second mock draft of the year, in which he changed his pick for the Giants at No. 6 to LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels.
"I don't make trade projections in mock drafts this early in the process, which is why Daniels is still available at No. 6," wrote Jeremiah. "I wouldn't rule out the Giants trying to move up for a quarterback, but in this scenario, Daniels falls into their lap."
Daniels put together a stellar redshirt senior season at LSU, one that led to him winning the Heisman Trophy.
The 23-year-old completed over 72 percent of his passes for 3,812 yards, 40 touchdowns and just four interceptions. The 6-foot-4, 210-pound quarterback was also a weapon in the run game, finishing the season with 1,134 yards and 10 touchdowns on the ground while averaging 8.4 yards per carry.
In addition to winning the Heisman, Daniels' 2023 accolades include AP College Football Player of the Year, Johnny United Golden Arm Award, the Davey O'Brien Award, SEC Offensive Player of the Year, Consensus All-American and first-team All-SEC.
"Daniels is a tall/lean quarterback with exceptional accuracy, decision-making and speed," Jeremiah said in his top 50 prospects list. "He is very poised and comfortable in the pocket. He likes to use a rhythm bounce at the top of his drop before settling his feet into the ground and smoothly transferring his weight to throw. He has an extremely quick release and beautiful throwing motion. He throws with anticipation, touch and accuracy. He flashes the ability to manipulate safeties with his eyes to create separation downfield.
"When he gets pressured, he doesn't hesitate to explode out of the pocket. He has elite suddenness. He is more of a linear/speed runner than a break-down/make-you-miss type of ball-carrier. He needs to do a better job of protecting himself, though, as he took some huge hits in the games I studied. Overall, Daniels took a massive leap in 2023 and now offers both a high floor and ceiling."
In the first version of his mock draft released last month, Jeremiah had the Giants picking Daniels' No. 1 target this past season - wide receiver Malik Nabers.
Nabers put together his second consecutive 1,000-yard season in 2023, finishing with 1,569 receiving yards. The 6-foot-0, 200-pound wideout brought in 72 passes for 1,017 yards and three touchdowns as a sophomore the year before. He followed that up with a dominant campaign that saw him lead the FBS in receiving yards and rank No. 2 in receiving touchdowns at the conclusion of the regular-season while racking up 89 receptions.
Nabers led the country this past season in 10+ yard plays, 20+ yard plays and 30+ yard plays, and finished his collegiate career as LSU's all-time leader in receptions and receiving yards. He was named Unanimous All-American and First-Team All-SEC for his standout 2023 campaign.
Nabers, who doesn't turn 21 until July 28, is one of the youngest players currently projected to go in the first round of this year's draft.
NFL Media analyst Daniel Jeremiah released his updated ranking of the top 50 prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft.
View photos of every NFL player selected with the sixth overall pick since the first draft in 1936.