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5 players Giants should draft in the first round

By Mike Phillips

Giants Co-owner, Steve Tisch, Giants General Manager, Joe Schoen Giants Head Coach Brian Daboll, and Giants Co-owner, John Mara, pose for a photograph, in East Rutherford, NJ. Monday, January 31, 2022
Giants Co-owner, Steve Tisch, Giants General Manager, Joe Schoen Giants Head Coach Brian Daboll, and Giants Co-owner, John Mara, pose for a photograph, in East Rutherford, NJ. Monday, January 31, 2022 /
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MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA – OCTOBER 23: Ikem Ekwonu #79 of the North Carolina State Wolfpack in action against the Miami Hurricanes at Hard Rock Stadium on October 23, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA – OCTOBER 23: Ikem Ekwonu #79 of the North Carolina State Wolfpack in action against the Miami Hurricanes at Hard Rock Stadium on October 23, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /

1. Players the New York Giants should draft in Round 1 – Ikem Ekwonu

This choice goes back to the offensive line, which isn’t surprising given how badly New York’s front five have struggled over the past few years. The good news for the Giants is that there are three top offensive tackles in this draft so they should end up with one of Ikem Ekwonu, Evan Neal and Charles Cross at No. 5.

The best-case scenario for the Giants would be to see NC State’s Ekwonu fall to them. Ekwonu is a massive lineman who can excel as both a run-blocker and pass protector, which would be music to the ears of Giants fans who have seen poor line play wreck their past few seasons.

Schoen would also love to have Ekwonu land in New York thanks to his positional versatility. The Wolfpack used Ekwonu at both tackle and guard, which makes him a valuable chess piece as the Giants begin to assemble their ideal offensive line.

Ekwonu can start at either tackle spot, giving the Giants options to better utilize Thomas, or kick inside to guard if New York finds another tackle it likes in the short term. Landing an offensive lineman at No. 5 seems like the mission statement for Schoen and Ekwonu falling to the Giants would be a home run.

Next. New York Giants 7-round mock draft. dark

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