The New York Giants walked away from the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft with a day-one starter in CB Deonte Banks out of Maryland. As the team prepares for day two of the draft, there is still a well of talent from which Big Blue can draw in rounds two and three. Here are the top three targets for the Giants on day two of the 2023 NFL Draft.
1. OC John Michael-Schmitz, Minnesota
John Michael-Schmitz is considered the best center in the 2023 NFL Draft class. Many analysts believed Schmitz could be a first-round draft pick. The Giants frequently selected the Minnesota center at 25 in mock drafts. Instead, Schmitz fell into the second round, creating an opportunity for New York to walk away with him in addition to an elite CB talent from round one.
New York was reportedly “locked onto” Schmitz during the pre-draft process. They brought him in for a top-30 visit and seemed interested in taking Schmitz at the end of the first round. With Schmitz still on the board to begin day two, it’s unlikely he will last until the Giants’ next pick at 57.
If the Giants want to draft JMS, they will likely need to trade up to the top of the second round to grab him. Making this move, however, would land New York a day-one starter on their offensive line.
However, if a trade-up for Schmitz is too rich, New York could target other prospects at the C position, such as Joe Tippman (Wisconsin), Luke Wypler (Ohio State), and Ricky Stromberg (Arkansas).
2. WR Jalin Hyatt, Tennessee
There are a number of wide receiver prospects the Giants could target tonight, but Jalin Hyatt stands out as a prospect that many believed would be drafted in round one. New York hosted Hyatt on a visit earlier this month, indicating they had significant interest in drafting the 2022 Biletnikoff Award Winner.
Like with Schmitz, if the Giants want to draft Hyatt, they likely need to trade up early in the second round to grab him. Hyatt will be a hot commodity early in the second round after posting 1,267 yards and 15 touchdowns in his final season at Tennessee.
Hyatt is an instantly credible WR2 with the ability to make a huge impact, but production could be erratic due to the limitations of his game.
Lance Zierlein of NFL.com
If the Giants do not trade up for Hyatt, other prospects to keep an eye on at the WR position on day two include Jonathan Mingo (Ole Miss), Marvin Mims (Oklahoma), and Rashee Rice (SMU).
3. EDGE BJ Ojulari, LSU
A family reunion could be possible on day two of the draft. BJ Ojulari, younger brother of Giants EDGE Azeez Ojulari, is still on the board and expected to be drafted in the second round like his older brother was in 2021.
New York has reportedly been interested in many of this draft class’s top pass-rushers. Despite having Azeez Ojulari and Kayvon Thibodeaux on the roster, the Giants are interested in adding more depth to the position. BJ Ojulari could fill that need.
Ojulari is a fast, lanky pass-rusher who totaled 25.5 sacks across his three collegiate seasons at LSU. He has the potential to make an impact as a rotational pass-rusher during his rookie season. The Giants could fill a big need on defense by reuniting BJ and Azeez Ojulari on day two of the draft.