The New York Giants believe they have another impactful draft class that they hope will help them become winners again. All six of their 2024 picks played significant roles as rookies.
This year’s seven-man class has a little bit of everything, including a possible franchise quarterback in Jaxson Dart. While Dart isn’t expected to start this year, some of the others could start right away, or early on in the season.
Dalton Wasserman of Pro Football Focus recently compiled a list of rookies who are poised to start in Week 1. For the Giants, first round pick Abdul Carter was identified as an immediate starter, a “virtual lock.”
Top-five selections Abdul Carter and Mason Graham were brought in to New York and Cleveland, respectively, to change the dynamic of those teams’ defensive lines. The same can be said, at least in run defense, for Mykel Williams in San Francisco and Kenneth Grant in Miami.
That’s a bold choice considering we don’t know how the Giants will deploy Carter. Will he play defensive end or outside linebacker? Will he play ahead of Kayvon Thibodeaux or Brian Burns or will they find him his own spit on the field?
Defensive coordinator Shane Bowen will have to find a place for Carter somewhere. It may not come with a starting role right away, however.
Another player identified under the “could win a competition” category was defensive lineman Darius Alexander, who many believe has Pro Bowl talent. Alexander is seen as a perfect complement to Dexter Lawrence II but he will likely be used in a rotation as first to get his feet wet.
On offense, running back Cam Skattebo, a virtual jack of all trades who thrives on contact, could also win additional snaps as a rookie.
Fantasy owners will be sure to keep a keen eye on the running back situations in Pittsburgh and New York, where Kaleb Johnson and Cam Skattebo, respectively, could feature prominently in the backfield very soon. Johnson is a nice fit in Arthur Smith’s zone running scheme. Skattebo’s ability to break tackles should appeal to Brian Daboll and the Giants early on.
The Giants hope Skattebo develops into a three-down back. He’ll have plenty of company in the backfield with Tyrone Tracy Jr. and Devin Singletary.