Presented by

Giants Now: Mel Kiper's latest Giants draft prediction

Jan 24, 2024 at 06:00 AM

Matt Citak

Digital Media Coordinator

Mel Kiper Jr.'s latest prediction for Giants at No. 6

With the 2023 season winding down, more and more NFL analysts are revealing their early predictions for the 2024 NFL Draft.

Mel Kiper Jr., ESPN's legendary draft expert, released his first full mock draft of the 2024 cycle this week, in which he predicted the Giants select LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers with the sixth overall pick.

"I keep coming back to getting (Daniel) Jones more help, as he has never played with a true No. 1 wide receiver," wrote Kiper. "Nabers could be that. He's coming off an 89-catch, 1,569-yard season catching passes from Jayden Daniels, and he has a rare combination of speed and route-running ability. He led the FBS with 17 catches of 30-plus yards. The Giants had just 15 total 30-plus yard receptions all of last season, five of which were from rookie third-rounder Jalin Hyatt."

Nabers put together his second consecutive 1,000-yard season in 2023.

The 6-foot-0, 200-pound wideout brought in 72 passes for 1,017 yards and three touchdowns as a sophomore last year. 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.

1 / 26

2 / 26

OT Paris Johnson - Arizona Cardinals (2023)

3 / 26

OT Ikem Ekwonu - Carolina Panthers (2022)

4 / 26

WR Jaylen Waddle - Miami Dolphins (2021)

5 / 26

QB Justin Herbert - Los Angeles Chargers (2020)

6 / 26

QB Daniel Jones - New York Giants (2019)

7 / 26

G Quenton Nelson - Indianapolis Colts (2018)

8 / 26

S Jamal Adams - New York Jets (2017)

9 / 26

OT Ronnie Stanley - Baltimore Ravens (2016)

10 / 26

DE Leonard Williams - New York Jets (2015)

11 / 26

OT Jake Matthews - Atlanta Falcons (2014)

12 / 26

DE Barkevious Mingo - Cleveland Browns (2013)

13 / 26

CB Morris Claiborne - Dallas Cowboys (2012)

14 / 26

WR Julio Jones - Atlanta Falcons (2011)

15 / 26

OT Russell Okung - Seattle Seahawks (2010)

16 / 26

OT Andre Smith - Cincinnati Bengals (2009)

17 / 26

LB Vernon Gholston - New York Jets (2008)

18 / 26

S LaRon Landry - Washington Redskins (2007)

19 / 26

TE Vernon Davis - San Francisco 49ers (2006)

20 / 26

CB Adam "Pacman" Jones - Tennessee Titans (2005)

21 / 26

TE Kellen Winslow - Cleveland Browns (2004)

22 / 26

DT Johnathan Sullivan - New Orleans Saints (2003)

23 / 26

DT Ryan Sims - Kansas City Chiefs (2002)

24 / 26

DE Richard Seymour - New England Patriots (2001)

25 / 26

DT Corey Simon - Philadelphia Eagles (2000)

26 / 26

WR Torry Holt - St. Louis Rams (1999)

Advertising

This Ad will close in 3

While Kiper did go with the LSU wide receiver as his pick at No. 6, he did mention the possibility of the Giants using the selection to address another area of need - the offensive line.

"The Giants used top-10 picks on offensive linemen in 2020 (Andrew Thomas) and 2022 (Evan Neal), but I absolutely could see them doing it again, as tackles Joe Alt (Notre Dame) and Olu Fashanu (Penn State) are still available in this scenario," said Kiper.

Alt declared for the 2024 draft following three strong seasons at Notre Dame. He was named Unanimous first-team All-American this past season after allowing just one sack and five total pressures on 368 pass block snaps. He was also selected first-team All-American in 2022 after going the entire season without surrendering a sack (406 pass block snaps).

Meanwhile, Fashanu had a strong 2022 season in which he was named second-team All-Big Ten after becoming Penn State's starting left tackle. He got even better this past season as he earned first-team All-Big Ten honors along with a selection as Consensus All-American. He was also awarded the Rimington-Pace Offensive Lineman of the Year by the coaches and media of the Big Ten. Fashanu surrendered just one sack across 21 starts for the Nittany Lions.