The Giants.com crew is presented with four statements and must decide whether they are Fact or Fiction.
The first three picks in the draft will be quarterbacks.
John Schmeelk: Fact – It is rare that a draft lines up where there are three legitimate top-10 worthy quarterbacks and the first three teams all have a legitimate need at quarterback. Is there a chance the Bears decide to stick with Justin Fields? Sure, but all reports indicate that is not their current thinking and passing on the talent in this draft would be a tough decision to make. Could the Patriots opt for a trade for a veteran instead of drafting a quarterback? Sure, but with a new head coach and head decision-maker in the front office, it is rare for a team like that to pass on the chance to start fresh with a rookie quarterback. The value-need symmetry also makes it unlikely any of three teams would trade out of those spots.
Dan Salomone: Fact – There is still a long way to go, but the top three seem destined to be quarterbacks. It's just going to be interesting watching the order flip flop over the next two months with Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye jockeying for position behind Caleb Williams.
Lance Medow: Fact – You can make a case for each of the first three teams set to pick in this year's draft needing a quarterback. Although the Bears have Justin Fields, he's dealt with injuries over his first three seasons and will have his third different play-caller in four campaigns in 2024. The Commanders have a new general manager and coaching staff, so Sam Howell's status as the starter is far from a guarantee. The former North Carolina product has potential and dealt with major protection issues in 2023, but whenever there's changes across the board like in Washington and you have the number two overall pick, a new quarterback should be expected. The Patriots had a merry-go-round under center last season and have a new head coach and offensive coordinator. New England needs stability at that position, and the third overall selection may afford them the ability to accomplish that feat.
Matt Citak: Fact – At this point, the only way I could realistically see the first three picks not being quarterbacks is if the Patriots trade a Day 2 pick to the Bears for Justin Fields and then decide to select Marvin Harrison Jr. with the third pick. But even if they did address the QB position by trading for Fields, New England would most likely auction off the No. 3 pick to a team looking to move up in order to take whichever quarterback is left between Drake Maye and Jayden Daniels. A lot can and will change between now and April 25, but as of today, I expect the first three picks to be quarterbacks.
Wide receiver is shaping up to be the deepest offensive position in this class.
John Schmeelk: Fact – Dane Brugler has 17 wide receivers in his top 100 that was released earlier this week. As long as the offensive line is not counted as an entire unit and split into tackles and interior linemen, it is the easy answer. Offensive tackle might be a more popular first-round pick, but that position will not dominate the first three rounds of the draft like wide receiver will. I expect at least five receivers to go in the first round, and for more than that to go in the second. If a team needs to fill out their wide receiver corps, this will be a good draft to do it.
Dan Salomone: Fiction – Even in the quarterback era, this draft feels particularly noteworthy at the position. Daniel Jeremiah has six quarterbacks in his Top 50, ranging from Caleb Williams at No. 1 overall to Michael Penix Jr. at No. 40.
Lance Medow: Fact – Offensive tackle and quarterback have substance, but wide receiver tops the list. You can easily put 10 players at that position in the top 50 and three in the top 10 in Marvin Harrison Jr out of Ohio State, LSU's Malik Nabers and Rome Odunze from Washington. As we've seen with most recent drafts, a handful of teams are going to walk away with gems at wideout in the second and third rounds. Brian Thomas Jr (LSU), Troy Franklin (Oregon), Ladd McConkey (UGA), Devontez Walker (UNC), Keon Coleman (Florida State), Adonai Mitchell (Texas) and Xavier Legette (South Carolina) will likely all hear their names called in the first two nights.
Matt Citak: Fact – In almost any other draft, Malik Nabers or Rome Odunze would easily be the first wide receiver taken. But with Marvin Harrison Jr. all but assured to be the first wideout selected, Nabers or Odunze will have to wait a little bit longer before their names are called. However, both are most likely going to land in the top 10, and will be joined by several other receivers in the second half of the first round. The depth of the position is going to lead to some very talented players dropping to Day 2, which could end up being some of the best value picks of the entire draft. As John referenced above, it's a good draft to need a wide receiver and offensive lineman.
NFL Media analyst Daniel Jeremiah released his updated ranking of the top 50 prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft.
No. 47 Roman Wilson, WR, Michigan
No. 49 Marshawn Kneeland, Edge, Western Michigan
No. 40 Ricky Pearsall, WR, Florida
No. 41 Payton Wilson, LB, N.C. State
No. 46 Ja'Tavion Sanders, TE, Texas
No. 38 Braden Fiske, DT, Florida State
No. 45 Malachi Corley, WR, Western Kentucky
No. 44 Junior Colson, LB, Michigan
No. 34 Ladd McConkey, WR, Georgia
No. 35 Xavier Worthy, WR, Texas
No. 36 Kamari Lassiter, CB, Georgia
No. 49 Jordan Morgan, OT, Arizona
No. 33 Michael Penix Jr., QB, Washington
No. 42 Troy Franklin, WR, Oregon
No. 43 Keon Coleman, WR, Florida State
No. 36 Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama
No. 24 Graham Barton, IOL, Duke
No. 27 Adonai Mitchell, WR, Texas
No. 37 Zach Frazier, IOL, West Virginia
No. 25 Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa
No. 38 Darius Robinson, Edge, Missouri
No. 30 Jackson Powers-Johnson, IOL, Oregon
No. 32 Jer'Zhan Newton, DT, Illinois
No. 20 J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan
No. 29 Bo Nix, QB, Oregon
No. 31 Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson
No. 21 Chop Robinson, Edge, Penn State
No. 28 Ennis Rakestraw Jr., CB, Missouri
No. 19 Byron Murphy II, DT, Texas
No. 26 Edgerrin Cooper, LB, Texas A&M
No. 16 Laiatu Latu, Edge, UCLA
No. 22 Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia
No. 23 Tyler Guyton, OT, Oklahoma
No. 11 Troy Fautanu, OT, Washington
No. 17 Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU
No. 13 Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo
No. 14 Jared Verse, Edge, Florida State
No. 18 JC Latham, OT, Alabama
No. 15 Olumuyiwa Fashanu, OT, Penn State
No. 12 Dallas Turner, Edge, Alabama
No. 10 Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State
No. 8 Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame
No. 9 Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama
No. 7 Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia
No. 6 Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU
No. 5 Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina
No. 4 Malik Nabers, WR, LSU
No. 3 Rome Odunze, WR, Washington
No. 2 Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State
No. 1 Caleb Williams, QB, USC
Cornerback is shaping up to be the deepest defensive position in this class.
John Schmeelk: Fact – Cornerback isn't as deep as wide receiver, but it is the best on the defensive side of the ball. Brugler has 12 cornerbacks in his Top 100 prospects list, and like wide receiver, I could see as many five cornerbacks go in the first round of the draft, but there will still be quality starters left to select on Day 2.
Dan Salomone: Fact – It's a good thing, too. You need the cornerbacks to match the loaded wide receiver class in what is looking like an offensive-heavy draft.
Lance Medow: Fact – Much like wide receiver, if you go through the top 50 players in this year's class, about 10 will be cornerbacks with five making a case to break into the top 25. Iowa's Cooper DeJean leads the pack with Nate Wiggins (Clemson), Terrion Arnold (Alabama), Quinyon Mitchell (Toledo), Kool-Aid McKinstry (Alabama) and Ennis Rakestraw Jr (Missouri) soon following. Teams in need of secondary help will be able to bolster that position over the first two days as Kamari Lassiter (UGA), T.J. Tampa (Iowa State), Caelen Carson (Wake Forest) and Mike Sainristil (Michigan) are also a few names to monitor.
Matt Citak: Fiction – I'm going to go against the group with this one and say that edge rusher is the deepest defensive position in this year's draft. Unlike in previous seasons, there aren't any cornerbacks that many people believe will land at the very top of the draft. Terrion Arnold has the best chance, but even he could struggle to land in the top 10. However, there are several edge defenders that could fight their way into the top 10, from Alabama's Dallas Turner to Florida State's Jared Verse to UCLA's Laiatu Latu. While the talent at the top of the draft is better at edge defender than at cornerback, there is also just as much depth at the position. Dane Brugler has 12 cornerbacks in his list of the top 100 prospects, and right behind CB is edge defender with 11 prospects. There may not be a Will Anderson in this year's draft, but there are some strong pass rushers that will make an immediate impact in the NFL.
There will be more than two defensive players taken in the top 10.
John Schmeelk: Fiction – There might not be a single defensive player taken in the Top 10. The first nine players on Brugler's Top 100 are all offensive players, and those nine are deserving to be there and will be there for most analysts heading into the 2024 NFL Draft. These nine players are going to be tough for a defensive player to leap frog: Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, Jayden Daniels, Marvin Harrison Jr., Malik Nabers, Rome Odunze, Joe Alt, and Olu Fashanu. The Jets select 10th in the draft, and they have a desperate need for an offensive lineman or another weapon outside. There's a good chance the first defensive player is not taken until pick 11.
Dan Salomone: Fact – Remember, the NFL Scouting Combine tends to shake things up. Let's see what comes out of Indianapolis. There is always a handful of defenders who measure off the charts and create some buzz.
Lance Medow: Fiction – I can see three quarterbacks, three wide receivers and two offensive lineman easily go in the first 10 picks. That leaves two potential spots for defensive players. While you're not simply drafting players to contribute in 2024 alone, it's hard to overlook the fact that seven (Commanders, Patriots, Cardinals, Giants, Titans, Falcons, Jets) of the teams picking in the top 10 finished in the bottom 10 of the NFL in scoring this past season. Offensive help is needed across the board.
Matt Citak: Fiction – Some strong performances in Indianapolis could definitely change things, but as of now, it's difficult to see more than one defensive player being taken in the first 10 picks. Of the teams picking in the top 10, the only one that many analysts are projecting to go defense is the Atlanta Falcons. Not only does the top talent of this year's class lean towards the offensive side of the ball, but many of the biggest needs for the teams in the top 10 are also on offense.
View photos of every NFL player selected with the sixth overall pick since the first draft in 1936.
OT Paris Johnson - Arizona Cardinals (2023)
OT Ikem Ekwonu - Carolina Panthers (2022)
WR Jaylen Waddle - Miami Dolphins (2021)
QB Justin Herbert - Los Angeles Chargers (2020)
QB Daniel Jones - New York Giants (2019)
G Quenton Nelson - Indianapolis Colts (2018)
S Jamal Adams - New York Jets (2017)
OT Ronnie Stanley - Baltimore Ravens (2016)
DE Leonard Williams - New York Jets (2015)
OT Jake Matthews - Atlanta Falcons (2014)
DE Barkevious Mingo - Cleveland Browns (2013)
CB Morris Claiborne - Dallas Cowboys (2012)
WR Julio Jones - Atlanta Falcons (2011)
OT Russell Okung - Seattle Seahawks (2010)
OT Andre Smith - Cincinnati Bengals (2009)
LB Vernon Gholston - New York Jets (2008)
S LaRon Landry - Washington Redskins (2007)
TE Vernon Davis - San Francisco 49ers (2006)
CB Adam "Pacman" Jones - Tennessee Titans (2005)
TE Kellen Winslow - Cleveland Browns (2004)
DT Johnathan Sullivan - New Orleans Saints (2003)
DT Ryan Sims - Kansas City Chiefs (2002)
DE Richard Seymour - New England Patriots (2001)
DT Corey Simon - Philadelphia Eagles (2000)
WR Torry Holt - St. Louis Rams (1999)
DE Grant Wistrom – St. Louis Rams (1998)
OT Walter Jones – Seattle Seahawks (1997)
RB Lawrence Phillips – St. Louis Rams (1996)
DE Kevin Carter – St. Louis Rams (1995)
QB Trent Dilfer – Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1994)
DE Eric Curry – Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1993)
QB David Klingler – Cincinnati Bengals (1992)
DT Eric Swann – Phoenix Cardinals (1991)
S Mark Carrier – Chicago Bears (1990)
LB Broderick Thomas – Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1989)
WR Tim Brown – Los Angeles Raiders (1988)
QB Kelly Stouffer – St. Louis Cardinals (1987)
G Jim Dombrowski – New Orleans Saints (1986)
OT Lomas Brown – Detroit Lions (1985)
DB Mossy Cade – San Diego Chargers (1984)
OT Jim Covert – Chicago Bears (1983)
DE Jeff Bryant – Seattle Seahawks (1982)
QB Rich Campbell – Green Bay Packers (1981)
DE Curtis Greer – St. Louis Cardinals (1980)
LB Barry Krauss – Baltimore Colts (1979)
WR James Lofton – Green Bay Packers (1978)
OT Warren Bryant – Atlanta Falcons (1977)
QB Richard Todd – New York Jets (1976)
LB Robert Brazile – Houston Oilers (1975)
DT Carl Barzilauskas – New York Jets (1974)
TE Charle Young – Philadelphia Eagles (1973)
OT Greg Sampson – Houston Oilers (1972)
RB John Riggins – New York Jets (1971)
LB Steve Zabel – Philadelphia Eagles (1970)
WR Ron Sellers – Boston Patriots (1969)
DE Dennis Byrd – Boston Patriots (1968)
RB Floyd Little – Denver Broncos (1967)
K Charlie Gogolak – Washington Redskins (1966)
DT Steve DeLong – Chicago Bears/San Diego Chargers (1965)
DE Carl Eller – Minnesota Vikings (1964)
LB Lee Roy Jordan – Dallas Cowboys (1963)
T Fate Echols – St. Louis Cardinals (1962)
DB Jimmy Johnson – San Francisco 49ers (1961)
RB Jack Spikes – Pittsburgh Steelers (1960)
RB Nick Pietrosante – Detroit Lions (1959)
RB Walt Kowalczyk – Philadelphia Eagles (1958)
RB Jim Brown – Cleveland Browns (1957)
RB Joe Marconi – Los Angeles Rams (1956)
T Frank Varrichione – Pittsburgh Steelers (1955)
DB Stan Wallace – Chicago Bears (1954)
RB Billy Anderson – Chicago Bears (1953)
FB Ed Modzelewski – Pittsburgh Steelers (1952)
C Jerry Groom – Chicago Cardinals (1951)
HB/DB George Thomas – Washington Redskins (1950)
RB Bob Gage – Pittsburgh Steelers (1949)
QB Y.A. Tittle – Detroit Lions (1948)
QB Ernie Case – Green Bay Packers (1947)
RB Johnny Strzykalski – Green Bay Packers (1946)
C Frank Szymanski – Detroit Lions (1945)
HB Billy Hillenbrand – New York Giants (1944)
B Steve Filipowicz – New York Giants (1943)
B Spec Sanders – Washington Redskins (1942)
B George Franck – New York Giants (1941)
QB Doyle Nave – Detroit Lions (1940)
B Bill Osmanski – Chicago Bears (1939)
C Alex Wojciechowicz – Detroit Lions (1938)
QB Sammy Baugh – Washington Redskins (1937)
T Joe Stydahar – Chicago Bears (1936)
