Giants add WR in Pro Football Focus' latest mock draft

Heading into the offseason, the New York Giants have several areas for improvement, none more so than wide receiver.

Heading into the 2022 season, the wide receiver room looked to be headed in the right direction. With Kenny Golladay, Wan’Dale Robinson, Darius Slayton and Kadarius Toney set to lead the way, the group seemed positioned for a breakout. But the unit underperformed, with only Slayton topping 700 yards receiving. The Giants traded Toney to the Chiefs at the trade deadline.

Now GM Joe Schoen and HC Brian Daboll must rebuild the group.

With the 26th pick in his latest mock draft, Trevor Sikkema of Pro Football Focus has the Giants drafting Ohio State WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba — a potential WR1.

“Though the Giants would love to get their hands on a go-to outside wide receiver, they simply need better all-around receiving talent. Smith-Njigba didn’t play much this past season due to a hamstring injury, but as a sophomore in 2021, he recorded an 91.2 elite receiving grade with more than 1,600 yards receiving. And that’s with Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave also on the team,” wrote Sikkema.

“He feels like a slot-exclusive player, as more than 85% of his snaps came from the slot over the past two years, but he’s one of the savviest receivers and best route runners in the class,” Sikkema added.

At Ohio State, he looked to be one of the more dominant receiver's in college football. 

During the 2021 season, Smith-Njigba recorded 95 receptions for 1,606 receiving yards and nine receiving touchdowns. This includes a historic performance in the Rose Bowl in which he made 15 receptions for 347 receiving yards and three touchdowns.

Injuries limited Smith-Njigba to three games in 2022. 

A receiving corps of Smith-Njigba, Robinson and 2020 draft pick Isaiah Hodgins could be the perfect foundation for the Giants.