2022 NFL Draft: New York Giants 7-round mock
New GM Joe Schoen has a lot of work to do to rebuild the New York Giants. Here’s a look at what his first NFL Draft could look like.
There may not be an NFL franchise with less going for it than the New York Giants, who have lost 100 games in the past decade while going from a proud organization to a laughing stock. The Giants did finally clean house this winter, firing Dave Gettleman and Joe Judge while hiring Buffalo Bills’ assistant GM Joe Schoen to succeed Gettleman as the franchise’s new architect.
Gettleman left the Giants with a salary cap mess but he did give Schoen a few extra draft picks thanks to some savvy trades last season. As a result, the Giants have the second richest collection of picks in this year’s draft, giving Schoen plenty of ammunition to begin rebuilding his roster. Let’s take a pre-free agency look at what Schoen’s first draft could look like.
New York Giants Mock Draft – First Round
Scouting Report. Ikem Ekonwu. 5. OT. NC State. player. 31. Pick Analysis
The biggest area of need for the Giants is their offensive line, which has only Andrew Thomas as a long-term starter right now. Evan Neal, the draft’s top offensive line prospect, will likely be off the board by the time the Giants pick at five but landing Ikem Ekonwu out of NC State isn’t a bad consolation prize.
A 6-foot-4 tackle, Ekwonu uses his massive frame to bully defenders in the run game, which could be an asset if the Giants retain Saquon Barkley next season. New York also has the option to kick Ekonwu inside if they want but he should be a good answer at right tackle with Nate Solder set to walk in free agency and 2020 third-round pick Matt Peart failing to seize the job over the past two seasons.
Scouting Report. Utah. 7. 31. Pick Analysis. LB. Devin Lloyd. player
This pick comes from the Chicago Bears, who sent it to New York last April to move up nine spots and select Justin Fields. Schoen will likely look to shop it if there isn’t a top edge rusher available but if the Giants stay put they should be able to add a beast to their linebacking corps in Devin Lloyd.
The Utah star has drawn favorable comparisons to Tampa Bay’s Devin White, which would make him a valuable weapon in the Giants’ defense. Given the team’s questions at linebacker after Blake Martinez was lost to a season-ending injury, adding Lloyd would help New York add a long-term starter to the middle of its defense.