NFL Draft Notebook: Giants' draft class shines, Vikings face major setback

In this week's NFL Draft Notebook, we kick things off by diving into the New York Giants' highly promising 2024 NFL Draft class. While it’s still early in their careers, five of the Giants’ six draft picks are on track to make significant contributions this season. We then turn our attention to the Minnesota Vikings, who suffered a major blow with quarterback J.J. McCarthy's season-long injury, and discuss how the Atlanta Falcons finally addressed their pass-rushing needs with a key trade.

Evaluating the New York Giants 2024 NFL Draft class

Round 1, Pick 6: Malik Nabers, WR, LSU

The Giants are thrilled with their first-round pick, Malik Nabers, selected sixth overall. Nabers has quickly made a name for himself with his polished route-running and knack for creating separation. Expect him to be a primary target in the Giants' offense this season and a strong contender for Rookie of the Year.

Round 2, Pick 47: Tyler Nubin, S, Minnesota

Tyler Nubin's NFL journey began slowly due to a calf injury that sidelined him for the first few weeks. Now fully healthy, Nubin is proving why he was the top-rated safety on my draft board. His ability to quickly adapt and his impressive ball-hawking skills, which led to 13 interceptions during his time at Minnesota, have caught the attention of the coaching staff. Defensive Coordinator Shane Bowen highlighted Nubin's steady improvement and hinted that a starting role could be in his near future.

" He continues to get better. He continues to improve each day. I think the one thing with him is he’s finally out there. He’s healthy. We missed him those first two weeks."

- Giants DC Shane Bowen on Nubin

Round 3, Pick 70: Andru Phillips, CB, Kentucky

The Giants doubled down on defensive backs in the early rounds, snagging Andru Phillips with the 70th overall pick. Like Nubin, Phillips has impressed the team with his aggressive playing style. He is a strong candidate to secure the starting nickel cornerback position, contributing significantly to the Giants' defense this season.

Round 4, Pick 107: Theo Johnson, TE, Penn State

Theo Johnson is another rookie who has shown promise when healthy. After missing the first two weeks of camp with a hip pointer injury, Johnson has returned to full speed, showcasing his ability to stretch defenses. As the likely number two tight end behind Daniel Bellinger, Johnson is expected to see substantial playing time in two tight end formations, and his potential is just beginning to unfold.

Round 5, Pick 166: Tyrone Tracy, RB, Purdue

Tyrone Tracy, the Giants' fifth-round pick, has turned heads with his versatility, particularly his pass-catching ability out of the backfield—a skill honed during his time as a wide receiver at Iowa. Tracy is poised to serve as a change-of-pace back and will likely be a frequent target in the passing game.

Round 6, Pick 183: Darius Muasau, MLB, UCLA

Darius Muasau faces an uphill battle to make the Giants' roster, with his best chance coming on special teams. However, his lack of experience on kickoff and punt teams at UCLA raises questions about his potential in this role. If Muasau wants to secure a spot, he’ll need to prove he can contribute significantly on special teams.

Devastating injury

The Minnesota Vikings are already facing a tough start to the NFL season, and we haven't even hit the regular season yet. The biggest blow comes from losing their first-round pick and likely starting quarterback, J.J. McCarthy, to a season-ending injury. Last week, it was announced that the 10th overall pick in the 2024 draft would miss the entire season due to a full meniscus repair.

This injury is especially devastating considering how well McCarthy was performing in the preseason. In his debut against the Raiders, McCarthy completed 11 of 17 passes for 188 yards and two touchdowns, earning an impressive 84 passing grade from Pro Football Focus.

"I really believe that J.J. has confirmed to me and a lot of our coaches and players that we got the right guy in our building for the future, and he did it in a short amount of time. It’s what makes this news hard. "

- Vikings HC Kevin O’Connell on McCarthy

Now, the Vikings are left with limited options at quarterback, with Sam Darnold being the most likely replacement. However, Darnold's track record is concerning, as he struggled with the Jets and only managed 18 starts over the past three seasons in Carolina and San Francisco, throwing 18 touchdowns and 17 interceptions during that time. The other quarterbacks on the roster, Nick Mullins Matt Corral, and Jaren Hall, don’t inspire much confidence in the Vikings winning many games if they are forced into action.

The silver lining in this unfortunate situation is that the Vikings might secure a higher draft pick in 2025. With only five total picks in the upcoming draft, they could use a top selection. According to Tankathon, the Vikings are currently projected to pick 9th in the 2025 NFL Draft, but with the passing game taking such a major hit, they could be looking at a top-five pick next fall.

NFL Draft News and Notes

Maye shines: In his first significant action of the season, Patriots quarterback Drake Maye delivered an impressive performance despite the team's narrow loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday night. His standout athleticism was on full display as he made off-platform throws and picked up crucial yards with his legs when needed. Maye also demonstrated his versatility by successfully throwing from various arm angles throughout the game. While this performance doesn't guarantee him the starting job, it should end any debate about Joe Milton being the better option, especially after Milton completed just two of seven passes on the night.

Falcons address pass rushing need: One major criticism of the Atlanta Falcons after selecting Michael Penix with the 8th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft was their failure to address their pressing need for a pass rusher, as they finished 21st in sacks last season. However, they recently made a move to rectify this by trading a 2025 third-round pick for New England's Matthew Judon, who has tallied 32 sacks over the past three seasons. Judon’s trade was largely due to his dissatisfaction with his current contract and the likelihood he would have become a free agent after the season.

Rams strike gold: Few NFL teams have excelled at uncovering late-round talent like the Los Angeles Rams have in recent seasons. In 2022, they struck gold with running back Kyren Williams in the fifth round, and last season they found another gem in Puka Nacua, also taken in the fifth round. This preseason, two more of their day three picks taken in the 2024 NFL Draft are showing great promise. Sixth-rounder Tyler Davis has been a standout, making several key plays, including an impressive tackle for loss against the Cowboys. Fellow sixth-round pick Jordan Whittington has also caught the team's attention with his blend of strength and speed, positioning himself as a likely backup wide receiver and a valuable special teams player.

Colts to look at tight ends in 2025 NFL Draft: The Indianapolis Colts are expected to focus on the tight end position early in the 2025 NFL Draft. With no clear number one option at tight end and Kylen Granson set to become a free agent after the season, the need is evident. Additionally, the team has been disappointed with 2022 third-round pick Jelani Woods, who could be on the chopping block. Iowa’s Luke Lachey, currently my second-ranked tight end, could be a strong fit. The Colts have a history of success with Iowa tight ends, notably with former Hawkeye Dallas Clark, who became one of the franchise's best at the position.

Safe pick: One of the safest selections in the 2024 NFL Draft was the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' choice of Graham Barton with the 26th overall pick. Hailing from Duke, Barton was recognized for his toughness, physicality, and football intelligence, traits that suggested he could step in as a rookie starter. He has lived up to this promise during the preseason, earning the highest rookie grade in Week 1 from Pro Football Focus. Additionally, Barton performed well in his recent game against Jacksonville. He appears poised to be the starting center on opening day—a position better suited to his skill set and shorter arms compared to the tackle spot he played in college.