1st Round Successes

By Ryan “The Goose” Gosike

The 2024 NFL Draft has come and gone. It was a spectacular event held in Detroit, Michigan with around 500,000 fans circulating through the area in 3 days. My partner in crime, Zach Kruk, kindly reminds everyone we will not know if these players will be hits or busts until, at minimum, September and for some, a couple years down the road. He is correct. There is no way to accurately predict a career based on the future. However, it is fun to speculate and predict based on college film and drafted situations. So, let us look into WR Malik Nabers, the NY Giants 6th overall draft selection and Olu Fashanu, an OT from Penn State, drafted by the NY Jets at pick 11. As mentioned in last week’s article, the Giants had several options to look at and movement potential. They were linked to trying to trade up to pick 3 and draft QB Drake Maye. New England was unwilling to give up the pick. I fully endorsed Joe Alt, the OL out of Notre Dame, which would have been the perfect, safe pick for the Giants. Alt was selected 5th overall to the LA Chargers. With the options remaining, the Giants could stay at #6 and draft Nabers or trade back. They could not find a trade partner and took the best player available in Malik Nabers. He is an LSU product who increased his statistical output in each of his 3 years in Baton Rouge. Last season, he caught 89 passes for 1,569 yards, and 14 touchdowns. A dynamic playmaker for Daniel Jones who is down to his final chance as the starter for the NY Giants. Across town, the Jets had the luxury of not needing any defensive help, so they were solely focused on the offensive side. Offensive tackle and tight end were the two positions to watch. They traded back from pick 10 to 11 as the Minnesota Vikings jumped up to take a quarterback. GM Joe Douglas made the correct pick in Olu Fashanu. Do not listen to those that are aggravated they did not select Brock Bowers, the premier tight end from Georgia. He would have been the highlight-reel pick. Their needs remain on the OL and Fashanu did not allow a single sack last season at Penn State in 382 pass blocking snaps. Overall, both fanbases should be thrilled with their selections. Both players have extremely high ceilings. Time will tell if they can remain healthy and play right away. Nabers is instantly the #1 WR on the Giants while Fashanu is not projected to start the year, but the Jets OL is bound to break and sustain an injury. His services will be required this season. Rejoice NY football fans.  Check out my sports show: “Game Time with The Goose” every Saturday from 8:00 to 9:00 AM on WTBQ AM 1110 FM 93.5 and on WGHT Radio with co-host Zach Kruk, Sports Director of WTBQ and WGHT!