Way-too-early New York Giants 2023 NFL Draft preview

The 2023 NFL Draft is April 27-29 in Kansas City. Here is the projected first-round order, per Tankathon.

2022 record: 9-7-1 | Projected first-round pick: No. 23 | Team needs: WR, LB

Snapshot: In 2021, the Giants gave WR Kenny Golladay a four-year, $72 million deal. On Sunday, he scored his first receiving TD with the team. New York can save more than $13 million against the cap if it releases him after June 1. The Giants also have six receivers hitting free agency. Clearly, the position is a major need. 

Potential first-round picks: Rashee Rice, WR, SMU; Jalin Hyatt, WR, Tennessee; Trenton Simpson, LB, Clemson

Per Draft Network, Rice is the 28th-best player overall and fourth-best receiver in the draft. He played 2022 with a broken toe and still had 96 catches for 1,355 yards with 10 touchdowns. In four years at SMU, he had 3,111 yards receiving and 25 TD catches.

With strong hands, long arms and a large catch radius, some see him as a possession receiver, but with 4.36 speed and the ability to make defenders miss, Rice has big-play ability.

Hyatt is the first Tennessee player to win the Biletnikoff Award as the nation’s top receiver. After mediocre freshman and sophomore years, Hyatt broke out this season with 67 catches for 1,267 yards and 15 touchdowns. 

After three years in a spread offense, he’ll need time to adjust to the NFL. Many see Hyatt as a WR2, but his ability to work downfield and underneath could be just what the Giants need.

If GM Joe Schoen looks to address wide receivers through free agency, as he did when he worked in Buffalo's front office, linebacker could be the pick in Round 1. 

The Draft Network ranks Simpson as the top linebacker and 46th-best player overall. He started 27 of his 37 games at Clemson. In three years, he had 187 tackles, 12.5 sacks and three forced fumbles. Per ESPN Stats & Information, Simpson allowed a reception on only 18.8% of attempts this season in coverage.