Giants land top edge rusher in latest NFL Network mock draft

In the 2024 NFL Draft, the New York Giants are slated to select sixth overall, and most predict general manager Joe Schoen will select an offensive lineman, wide receiver, or quarterback with that pick.

For various reasons, all three of those professions are necessary, but there are other positions that aren’t to be taken lightly.

The Giants’ most successful teams in the past have been those that prioritize defense. especially their defensive line and front seven, on which they have significantly relied and stacked with excellent depth.

Their defense, which has won them all four Super Bowl victories, is an area where the current team glaringly falls short.

As the offseason approaches, the Giants’ top need continues to be edge rush.

While the other positions steal the spotlight and command the most debate, edge rush remains a dire need — something compounded by the arrival of defensive coordinator Shane Bowen, who relies more on organic pressure than his predecessor, Wink Martindale.

NFL Network’s Chad Reuter kept that in mind during his most recent mock draft and has the Giants selecting Florida State defensive end Jared Verse at No. 6 overall.

Will Anderson Jr.’s production dropped in his final year at Alabama (34.5 tackles for loss, 17.5 sacks to 17 and 10) but he proved his combination of power and speed was NFL-ready. I expect to see the same from Verse, who was no less of a problem for offensive lines in 2023 than he was in the previous season, even if his numbers were slightly less impressive in ‘23 (17 TFL, 9 sacks in ‘22; 12.5 and 9 in ‘23).

Some could argue that Alabama’s Dallas Turner is the premiere edge rush prospect in the draft but many believe Verse has the highest upside. UCLA’s Laiatu Latu is also very much in the conversation.

No matter who you believe is the top edge rusher in the draft, the fact remains: The Giants need one of them, and don’t be surprised if that’s the route Schoen ultimately takes.

Note: In Round 2, Reuter has the Giants taking Texas running back Jonathon Brooks and Washington State safety Jaden Hicks. In Round 3, he goes with Michigan wide receiver Roman Wilson.