Dynasty fantasy football is a year-round affair. A sharp manager will always think about all aspects of the dynasty season. Managers keen enough to look ahead will be the ones who can grab themselves an edge. This article is about the surprising New York Giants, who shocked many last year in Coach Brian Daboll’s first year as head coach. He led the team to the playoffs for the first in many years and helped quarterback Daniel Jones have a breakout year. There are higher expectations and hopes for the 2023 season, especially after Danny Dime’s big contract extension.
Most of the dynasty off-season will be spent discussing incoming rookies and the related topic, the NFL draft. It is easy for us to fall in love with the next workhorse running back or prototypical alpha wide receiver, but a manager in tune with the entire draft class will find themselves ahead of the game. Whether it is the next road-paving interior offensive lineman or genetic freak edge rusher, we can find ourselves at quite the advantage in April by building an entire picture of how the 2023 class will play out. Those that prepare ahead will not often be surprised at the outcomes. Look at the Chiefs or Eagles. They have a ton of depth. This allowed them to outlast the rest of the competition and compensate for any injuries.
The draft order used in this article reflects the order following the Super Bowl. Credit for the mock draft simulation goes to The Draft Network. Team needs are generated from this site.
2022 Season Recap
Under Daboll, the Giants experienced major success for the first time in many years. They saw contract-year quarterback Daniel Jones experience his best year as a pro while Saquon Barkley quieted all doubters with his impressive play. Despite lackluster play in the secondary and linebacker, the Giants’ defense proved it could be a force. Kayvon Thibodeaux made the Giants proud they selected in the first round last year. Plus, the team finally had its offensive line healthy and saw key contributions from their highly-selected tackles. About everything went right for the Giants, who snagged a Wild Card spot in the playoffs.
They went on and shocked the NFL world by beating the Minnesota Vikings. Unfortun them, they fell victim to the Philadelphia Eagles’ buzz-saw, yet no one could say the Giants under-performed this season. If there were one position that was a massive let-down for the New York Giants, it would be at wide receiver. Once again, the team saw little to no contributions from that spot, forcing Danny Dimes to make bad decisions or throw to his tight ends and running backs. Kenny Golladay proved that he was a one-year wonder. Darius Slayton and Isaiah Hodgins were the only semi-reliable players at wide receiver after Wan’Dale Robinson tore his ACL. If the Giants want Danny Dimes to take the next step, they must upgrade at that spot in 2023.
2023 Free Agents
The Giants finally got rid of Kenny Goladay but saw some key contributors sign elsewhere in free agency. They lost their center, Jon Feliciano, to the 49ers and starting safety Julian Love to the Seahawks. Another key lineman, Nick Gates, was lost to the Commanders. Plus, they have over a dozen depth players in free agency. However, they managed to extend Jones and Franchise Tag Barkley, which means the team’s two most important players will return for year two in the Daboll era. They added a crucial piece at defense with the addition of Bobby Okereke, who will lead the team’s defense at his linebacker spot.
The team also re-signed Darius Slayton, giving Jones some continuity at the wide receiver position, and added veteran Jamison Crowder. One other big move was snagging Parris Campbell at wide receiver. He could be set for a major breakout year after finally escaping Indianapolis, so long as he is healthy. Campbell will be relied upon to impact the wide receiver position in a huge way and to elevate Daniel Jones’ play. Another major move this off-season was the acquisition of tight end Darren Waller. He will be one of the team’s main weapons on offense. The New York Giants are finally giving Daniel Jones and Saquon Barkley some weapons on offense.
2023 Draft Picks
The team needs a new cornerback, interior offensive line, especially at center, linebackers, and most of all, wide receiving help; that’s the biggest issue. Another running back would be helpful as well, especially if Saquon doesn’t sign an extension.
1.25 – Jordan Addison, WR USC
There are plenty of rumors that Addison could slip to the Giants’ position in the first round, which would be huge for the New York team. It’s no secret they are eyeing a wide receiver in the first round this year, and a potential trade-up for Jaxson Smith-Njigba certainly can’t be ruled out. However, here they get the WR2 in the draft without having to move up. There are size concerns about him, but they’re laughable. He’s proved how talented he is in college, especially after winning the Biletnikoff Award two years ago. Addison had a terrific NFL Combine. He’s a superb inside/outside wideout that can run routes on all three levels of the field.
Addison is eerily similar to Tyler Lockett, which would be a huge boon to the Giants’ mediocre wide receiving room. The team knows that Jones needs an elite wide receiver to truly take that next step in his development and prove that his extension was worth it. Addison’s got athleticism in spades and knows how to use his footwork to gain extra separation. He’s everything you want in a wide receiver, minus the size. In dynasty, Addison’s a lock for a first-round rookie pick and has the upside to be a dynasty WR1 with the Giants. Don’t be afraid to draft him in the mid-first and see him become the New York Giants’ Garrett Wilson.
2.57 – Joe Tippman, C Wisconsin
The New York Giants lost Feliciano to free agency, which means they now have a gaping hole at center. Luckily, this is a solid draft to get some interior offensive line players, especially at center. Tippman has all the ability and potential to become a plus-starter in the NFL. He started in the Big Ten two years in a row and garnered All-Big Ten Conference awards. Plus, his agility and athleticism are out of this world despite being 6’6″. If he had better hands, he could move to tight end. Tippman is an elite zone-blocker that is able to easily swing outside and block. He’s got strong hands and feet that allow him to block without losing ground, and his length is absurd. He’s easily within reach of either guard spot to help block. Tippman will be an excellent center in the NFL and could become the Giants’ Jason Kelce.
3.89 – Garrett Williams, CB Syracuse
The Giants have needed a new cornerback since cutting James Bradberry prior to last season. Here, they get a player who should’ve gone far higher in the draft, but dropped due to a torn ACL he suffered last year. He should be ready to go for this year or training camp. Yet, because of how deep this cornerback class is, he’s falling down draft boards. In only half a season, Williams still accrued 36 tackles, two interceptions, and three pass breakups. He’s an outside corner with the ability and athleticism to stick there long-term. Garrett fills a massive need for the Giants and allows them to get a cheap and young player at a critical position in the wide receiver heavy NFC East division.
4.128 – Cam Jones, LB Indiana
Yes, the New York Giants made a big splash and signed stud linebacker Okereke, but that doesn’t mean they don’t still have a need at linebacker. With Okereke here, though, the Giants can afford to take a developmental linebacker with star potential. That’s Jones, who is elite at rush defense and makes strong tackles. Jones is not afraid to play tough and violent despite his lack of ideal size. He would bring toughness and motivation to the Giants’ defense and special teams. Plus, in a year or so, he might develop into a good starting linebacker opposite Okereke.
5. 160 – Caleb Chandler, G Louisville
No NFL team can have enough interior offensive linemen, especially one that loses multiple key guys in one off-season. That’s why the Giants take another backup with potential and who loves to bully defenders in the rushing game. Chandler struggles in the passing game too much due to mainly technique. That can be fixed with strong coaching, which the Giants have. Plus, the Giants know that they must protect Barkley and Jones if this team is to have success in 2023. There’s no such thing as too much depth in the NFL. Just look at the Chiefs and Eagles.
5.172 – Evan Hull, RB Northwestern
Hull does everything well, but nothing he does is overwhelming or excellent. He’s a strong contact runner that maintains his strength and balance. Hull’s a great route runner and pass-catcher with excellent hands. Despite his size, he’s not afraid of contact and willing to rush north-south. Plus, he’s got good speed. Despite that, Hull is not super agile or a great pass-blocker. However, he would give the Giants a dependable backup running back with the potential to become a starter should they not keep Barkley for any reason. Hull’s a running back that will do everything he can to help the New York Giants win, but they won’t win because of him. Still, it’s an excellent pick for a team short on running back depth.
6.209 – Ronnie Bell, WR Michigan
The New York Giants need receivers, and grabbing Bell in the sixth helps accomplish that. He’s a proven veteran wide receiver that helped lead Michigan to the college football playoffs. Bell showed his skills and speed intact after a torn ACL in 2021. Plus, he’s an excellent run-blocker which provides further value to the Giants. Overall, Bell needs some help on his route running, but he’s an excellent zone receiver and knows how to make catches in tight spots. He would give the Giants quality depth in a position of need.
7.240 – Richard Gouraige, T Florida
Gouraige has a ton of sneaky upside. He’s not being mentioned nearly enough but has the potential to develop into a long-term starter at either guard or tackle. He’s not the most athletic big man, but he plays with excellent technique and understands what defenders are trying to do. The Giants can never have enough offensive linemen, and Gouraige provides quality and cheap depth at a spot where the team has lost multiple players. Overall, he could move into a starting role a year or two down the line.
7.243 – Brandon Hill, S Pittsburgh
The Giants lost Julian Love and got a developmental safety towards the end of the draft in Hill. He’s an above-average coverage safety that needs further seasoning when it comes to playing against the run. However, Hill could develop into a strong free safety tasked with more coverage than playing up in the box. Brandon Hill helps fill out the secondary in New York’s growing defense.
7.254 – Nesta Jade Silvera, IDL ASU
The Giants can never have enough defensive linemen, especially with Whig Martindale as their DC. In this case, they take a projectible defensive tackle in Silvera, who got Honorable Mention All-Pac-12 honors this past season. He isn’t going to excite anyone, but he’s reliable depth that can provide coverage for any injuries.
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