The New York Giants enter the NFL Draft with a new regime calling the shots following a disastrous 4-13 campaign. Head coach Brian Daboll joins forces with new general manager Joe Schoen to give the G-Men some hope.
New York’s primary goal this offseason has been to acquire two franchise building blocks with the two top-10 picks it boasts in the 2022 NFL Draft. It’s a great way for the Daboll/Schoen pairing to start.
There’s a lot of needs on both sides of the ball. The Giants’ brass spoke well when it comes to quarterback Daniel Jones, but we wouldn’t be surprised if an earlier-round pick is used on that position. Meanwhile, the offensive line will be addressed at some point. Defensively, there’s need at all three levels.
Before we dive into our Giants mock draft, let’s examine the picks they hold — including those two valuable top-10 selections.
Related: Sportsnaut’s 2022 NFL mock draft
2022 New York Giants draft picks
- First round, 5th and 7th overall
- Second round, 36th overall
- Third round, 67th and 81st overall
- Fourth round, 112th overall
- Fifth round, 147th and 173rd overall
- Sixth round, 182nd overall
Let’s dive into our 2022 New york Giants mock draft with regular updates provided throughout the pre-draft process.
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If New York’s brass is sold on Jones for the 2022 season, the draft will prove to be a boon for this organization. It can go a number of different directions with top-end players at other positions within the first seven picks. The team could also potentially look to trade down and acquire more selections as a roster-building method.
Remember, it has two additional picks in the annual event stemming from the blockbuster trade with the Chicago Bears that netted the latter Justin Fields during the 2021 iteration of the NFL Draft. Expect Schoen and Co. to be proactive in that regard.
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1st round, 5th pick: Ikem Ekwonu, offensive tackle, North Carolina State
A top-four pick of the Giants’ previous brass back in 2020, Andrew Thomas has struggled to an extent from a pass-protection perspective. At the very least, it seems like Thomas might be better suited to play right tackle moving forward.
In an NFL Draft class ripe with talent at tackle, there’s absolutely no reason to believe New York won’t avoid that position with one of its two top-10 picks. That’s where Ekwonu comes into play. We’re talking about an elite athlete with a pro-ready blocking skill-set and someone who will start as a blindside protector for Daniel Jones long-term. Get it done, New York!
1st round, 7th pick: Ahmad Gardner, cornerback, Cincinnati
If the New York Giants draft includes them coming out of the top-10 with Ekwonu and Gardner, it would be seen as a home run. Value and need with both top-10 positions.
Our No. 4 overall player in the NFL Draft, Gardner did not allow a single touchdown throughout his three-year college career. He’s already an elite-level boundary corner and a Day 1 starter. With the Giants looking to trade James Bradberry, this becomes an obvious need, too.
2nd round, 36th pick: David Ojabo, EDGE, Michigan
EDGE might not be a huge need for the Giants. But it’s hard for them to pass up on a player who would’ve been a top-10 pick if he didn’t suffer a torn Achilles’ during Michigan’s Pro Day.
Still ranked 31st on our big board, Ojabo recorded 12 tackles for loss, 11 sacks and an absurd five forced fumbles for Michigan last season. Imagine him teaming up with Azeez Ojulari out in the edge for the Giants. That would be something.
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3rd round, 67th pick: Dylan Parham, guard, Memphis
The Giants lost Will Hernandez in free agency, only to replace him with veteran Jon Feliciano. This can’t be seen as sustainable moving forward. They need a youngster to help protect Jones or another quarterback moving forward.
The Giants couldn’t do better here with Parham. We’re talking about an athletic 6-foot-3, 313-pound guard who already boasts plus-level pass-protecting skills. While Parham might have issues in the run game early, providing that type of protection for Jones will be big moving forward.
3rd round, 81st pick: Carson Strong, quarterback, Nevada
As noted above, the Giants will likely use a pick in the 2022 NFL Draft on a quarterback. Here, they get value in the prototypical Strong. At 6-foot-3 and 226 pounds, the small-school product boasts one of the strongest arms in the annual event. He also enjoyed a ton of success at Nevada.
- Carson Strong stats (2021): 70% completion, 4,175 yards, 36 TD, 8 INT
Sure Strong is seen as more of a project, but spending a third-round pick on him might light a fire under Jones moving forward. There’s absolutely no reason why the Giants wouldn’t make this pick if he’s available at 81.
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4th round, 112th pick: Nick Cross, safety, Maryland
Having lost both Jabrill Peppers and Logan Ryan during free agency, the Giants have an obvious need at safety. Julian Love doesn’t seem to be the long-term future next to the impressive Xavier McKinney at strong safety.
That’s where Cross could come into play. He has an ability to play both safety spots, is a willing in-the-box player and showed flashes of coverage ability for the Terps. This is nice value in Round 4.
Filling out remainder of New York Giants needs
- 5th round, 147th pick: Danny Gray, wide receiver, SMU
- 5th round, 173rd pick: Charlie Kolar, tight end, Iowa State
- 6th round, 182nd pick: ZaQuandre White, running back, South Carolina
What do you want to see the New York Giants draft? Let us know below with your comments and feedback.