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LSU Tigers quarterback Jayden Daniels. Matthew Dobbins-USA TODAY Sports

Three potential 2024 NFL Draft targets for Giants

By Colum Dell | Last updated 11/29/23

At 4-8, the New York Giants are simultaneously vying for a playoff spot and a top-five pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. There's still time to make an improbable playoff push, but it's also an appropriate point in the season to examine some potential first-round picks who could be available at their current draft slot.

According to Tankathon, the Giants are projected to pick sixth overall in next April's draft. Here are three targets the team could consider selecting after playing their way out of the running for Caleb Williams, Drake Maye and Marvin Harrison Jr.

Jayden Daniels, LSU quarterback

Height: 6-foot-4 Weight: 210 pounds

Although GM Joe Schoen told reporters during his bye week news conference that the "expectation" is that Daniel Jones will be the Giants' starter when healthy, he left the door open to drafting a potential replacement. New York will select the best player available, and with the top two quarterback prospects presumably out of reach, Daniels is the most intriguing option if the team wants to reset at the position.

A likely finalist for the Heisman Trophy, Daniels has shown significant improvement in all areas of his game during his second season with the Tigers. Daniels leads all FBS quarterbacks in nearly every major statistical category, including passing (40) and total touchdowns (50), as well as rushing yards (1,134) and total yards per game (412.2). With his dual-threat prowess, Daniels is an ideal fit to run HC Brian Daboll's offense, which has seen signal-callers such as Jones and Buffalo's Josh Allen thrive on the ground.

Being an older player and only having one season of elite production may hurt Daniels in the pre-draft process, but there was another LSU quarterback prospect with a similar resume not too long ago who turned out alright.

Jayden Daniels breaks an 85-yard touchdown run!

Give this man the Heisman Trophy. pic.twitter.com/QCNWD75j92
— Matthew Brune (@MatthewBrune_) November 12, 2023

Rome Odunze, Washington wide receiver

Height: 6-foot-3 Weight: 215 pounds

The Giants haven't found their true No. 1 wideout since trading Odell Beckham Jr. away in 2019, but could find their answer in the first round. The 2024 class looks loaded with high-upside receiving talent, giving plenty of options for the Giants to improve their 32nd-ranked passing offense. While Daniels' LSU teammate Malik Nabers, the nation's leader in receiving yards, is a contender for WR2 in the class, he may be better suited as a primary slot receiver in the NFL, which the Giants don't desperately need.

What New York needs most is a premier X receiver like the big-bodied Odunze, whose presence on the field complements the skill sets of second-year wideout Wan'Dale Robinson and rookie third-rounder Jalin Hyatt. Odunze was instrumental to the Huskies' undefeated regular season, ranking fourth in FBS in receiving yards (1,326) and catching 14 touchdown passes, tied for the second-most nationally. For his efforts, Odunze was named a finalist for the 2023 Biletnikoff Award and has climbed into the top five of ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper Jr.'s prospect rankings.

Yeah, this was absolutely sick from Odunze pic.twitter.com/lbeUOTTv9A
— Trevor Sikkema (@TampaBayTre) November 19, 2023

Laiatu Latu, UCLA edge-rusher

Height: 6-foot-5 Weight: 265 pounds

OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux has emerged as a Pro Bowler in his second season and should be a consistent double-digit sack producer for the foreseeable future. However, considering Azeez Ojulari's extensive injury history, the Giants could benefit from a more reliable pass-rusher who can make Thibodeaux and DT Dexter Lawrence's lives easier.

Latu, who briefly retired from football due to a neck injury before transferring to UCLA, has been a consistent contributor for the Bruins over the last two seasons and is perhaps the most well-rounded edge-rusher in the draft. After posting 10.5 sacks last season, Latu has been even more productive in 2023, as he leads the nation in tackles for loss (22) and total pressures (64) while ranking fourth in sacks (13).

Already boasting a well-honed set of pass-rushing moves and having great hands, Latu should have a smoother transition to the NFL. An instant-impact player like Latu would be an ideal fit for the Giants defense, as the team needs immediate production if it has any hope of returning to the playoffs next season. And since Latu is Kiper's 10th highest-rated prospect, it's possible the Giants can land the Bruins star even if they string together a few more wins.