Breaking: Giants target other talented LSU wide receiver in a first-round trade
The No. 6 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft will probably be used by the New York Giants to improve their offense. The Giants certainly require wide receiver help, and in an unexpected move, they may target LSU wideout Brian Thomas Jr.
Could LSU wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. be the Giants’ first-round pick?
Giants Country’s Brandon Olsen presented arguments for and against New York using their first-round selection on the 21-year-old talent, stating among other things:
“Thomas Jr. is undeveloped, but he has demonstrated enough to give a team hope that he can develop into a reliable number-one receiver in their attack. His route running will require a lot of improvement, but he has early playing ability with space to grow because of his ability to get over the top, generate huge plays, and be a quick pitch-and-catch option, according to Olsen.
Well, Thomas Jr. is capable of making big plays over top-notch defensive back coverage. In 2023, the 6 feet 5 inches, 198 pounds pass-catcher averaged an incredible 17.3 yards per reception. He is a desirable alternative in many ways because of his stature and athleticism. To start with, the Giants’ 2023 NFL season passing attempt average of 6.5 yards placed them 27th out of all passing teams.
While he would be an exciting addition to the Giants’ offense, taking Thomas Jr. at No. 6 would be considered a reach with greater wide receiver talents projected to be on the board. However, in a potential trade-down scenario, Thomas Jr. could be a potential home-run selection. Thomas Jr. could help the Giants in the end zone next season Giants tight end Darren Waller’s potential retirement adds to their need for another sizable dynamic option downfield. While he’d remain at wideout, Thomas Jr. would gift Daniel Jones or whoever lines up under center for the Giants next season with a big body to rely on for first downs. Thomas Jr. would help most in red zone opportunities. He did nothing
Red zone opportunities are where Thomas Jr. might be most useful. All he did in the previous season was lead the country in receiving touchdowns with 17.
On draft night, his expected position is among the top 32. It takes until the Giants’ No. 47 overall pick in the second round for them to get on the board again. It might be too late by then for them to find the ideal receiver talent. They will need to determine whether Thomas Jr. would enable them to perform at their best for an offense that is retooling and whether one of their present quarterbacks is worth starting in 2024.
