With the NFL headed into Conference Championship Weekend, many experts, analysts, and prognosticators have decided it’s time for mock draft season to begin.
ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. is among them and on Wednesday, he released his first mock of the new year.
With the Giants selecting 25th overall, Kiper has them going out and adding a new target for quarterback Daniel Jones.
25. New York Giants: Jordan Addison, WR, USC
Here’s another team that took a big jump in 2022, as quarterback Daniel Jones took care of the football and the defense played just well enough to keep the Giants in games. Jones’ breakout came with one of the least impressive wide receiver corps in the league, especially as Kenny Golladay has not lived up to his massive free agent contract. Can general manager Joe Schoen get Jones — a free agent who is likely to return — a No. 1 wideout?
Addison put up huge numbers at Pitt in 2021 before dealing with some injuries at USC, and he has the versatility to play outside or in the slot. He just knows how to get open. New York also will get back rookie second-rounder Wan’Dale Robinson, who flashed before tearing an ACL. I like what the Giants are building, but they have to give Jones some help.
Although general manager Joe Schoen dismissed the absolute need for a true No. 1 wide receiver, there’s little doubt the Giants will attempt to upgrade that position this offseason.