The New York Giants have two first-round picks in the 2022 NFL draft for the second time in four years. New general manager Joe Schoen & Co. are hoping to rebuild a roster that lacks key pillars on both sides of the ball. With two picks in the top seven, the franchise is in position to add two impact players.
The last repeat winner of the NFC East was the Eagles in 2003-04. So the division has proven to be up for grabs every season. Quarterback Daniel Jones enters a pivotal year in which all eyes will be on him, and the franchise seems to be on the same page with letting him play out next season as the starter. New York should focus on building around him.
As it stands, the Giants have glaring holes along the offensive line, and at edge rusher, tight end and linebacker. The strengths of the 2022 draft class align well with these needs, and the Giants should take advantage. Whom should they select with their nine total picks in the draft? Well, I have a few ideas. Below is a perfect Giants seven-round mock draft.
Two rules before we dig in:
There are no trades projected in this mock, even though the Giants are in a great position to potentially slide back in Round 1.
We're keeping this realistic with each selection by drafting players who are ranked near the selection number on my latest Big Board.
Scroll to the bottom to see how ESPN Giants reporter Jordan Raanan evaluates my mock draft. Let's start with the No. 5 pick, where New York has to get a plug-and-play starter:
Round 1, No. 5: Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
Offensive tackle Andrew Thomas made a significant developmental leap in Year 2 for the Giants, but outside of that left tackle spot, this offensive line is in flux. With inconsistent performances across the board, they signed two serviceable interior blockers in Mark Glowinski and Jon Feliciano in free agency. Matt Peart suffered an ACL tear during the final regular-season game last season, so there are major questions at the right tackle spot.
Neal is the ideal match for the Giants with their first pick. Pairing him opposite Thomas gives the franchise two bookend players at the position. Neal is also the only one of the top three tackles in the class with experience on the right side -- he started 13 games at right tackle during his sophomore season at Alabama. Drafting a big offensive tackle gives Jones an adequate amount of protection up front.
Round 1, No. 7 (via CHI): Kayvon Thibodeaux, DE, Oregon
One of the most obvious needs on the Giants' roster is at edge rusher. In the glory days with Michael Strahan, Osi Umenyiora and Jason Pierre-Paul, they consistently generated pressure with a wave of defensive lineman. Despite pouring high-pick draft capital on the defensive line over the past few seasons, it hasn't been able to develop those draftees into guys who can consistently get to the quarterback.
Enter Thibodeaux.
He has little trouble with accelerating and finishing plays in the backfield. Continued progression was the theme of his career with Oregon, as he transitioned from winning solely based on his physical ability to consistently having an effective plan as a pass-rusher during his final season in Eugene.
He finished with the third-highest pressure rate (17.3%) among defenders in the country last season, and he would immediately become the best pass-rusher that the Giants have had in a decade.
Round 2, No. 36: Kaiir Elam, CB, Florida
The status of cornerback James Bradberry remains in question as trade rumors continue to swirl. Behind him, the Giants are thin at the position. Adoree' Jackson is still trying to prove his first-round pick status, while Darnay Holmes, Rodarius Williams and Aaron Robinson are working to get comfortable at the position in the NFL. And in new defensive coordinator Wink Martindale's system, the secondary is extremely important. The Giants should invest at the position in the second round.
Elam is a physical press-man corner who has the skill set to thrive in a scheme that operates with man coverage principles. At 6-foot-2, 191 pounds, Elam ran a 4.39-second 40-yard dash at the combine and looked smooth in positional drills during Florida's pro day last Monday. He is one of the most underrated corners in this class.
Elam is still only 20 years old, and his ability to develop with a roster undergoing a rebuild and fit in the scheme makes him an easy selection at this spot.
Round 3, No. 67: Channing Tindall, ILB, Georgia
The Giants have lacked speed on the second level. Tindall brings that and much more. He's an ideal fit in a 3-4 scheme because of his ability to attack downhill and fill against the run with lots of enthusiasm.
On tape, his explosiveness is among the best in this year's class, and his performance at the combine firmly backed that up. At 6-foot-2, 230 pounds, he ran a 4.47 40 at the combine, jumped 42 inches in the vertical and recorded a 10-foot-9 broad jump. He has the range to track down ball carriers and make plays, but he can also consistently wreak havoc as a blitzer when rushing from either the inside or the outside.
What makes Tindall so appealing here is that he's an ascending prospect still gaining exposure to the position. He never started a game at Georgia -- he was behind Nakobe Dean and Quay Walker on the depth chart -- but still managed to lead the Bulldogs in tackles last season. This Day 2 prospect is a mainstay on special-teams and can wear many hats as soon as he walks through the door as a rookie.
Round 3, No. 81 (via MIA): Isaiah Likely, TE, Coastal Carolina
Following the release of Kyle Rudolph and Evan Engram signing with the Jaguars in free agency, the Giants' depth chart at tight end is starved for talent. A strong argument could be made that the position is their top need. Signing Ricky Seals-Jones likely doesn't alter the team's plans of potentially drafting a tight end on Day 2 or in the early portions of Day 3.
At 6-foot-5, 245 pounds, Likely is the best option in Round 3 and provides versatility in the passing game. His 12 receiving touchdowns in 2021 led all FBS tight ends and gives an idea of how dangerous he can be across all formations. He also isn't shy when competing as a run blocker.
The Giants are entering a crucial year in which they must surround Jones with as many outlets to find out what they have in him, and Likely is a viable option who could help in multiple phases of the game.
Round 4, No. 112 (via CHI): Jerome Ford, RB, Cincinnati
You can never have enough running backs. In need of insurance for Saquon Barkley -- who has struggled to stay on the field over the past two seasons -- the Giants signed Matt Breida to a one-year deal. But having a three-man rotation gives them a backup plan in case Barkley's injury issues continue.
Ford is a well-built, hard-nose runner who is at his best when asked to run downhill concepts. Because of his frame and extra layers of body armor, he is great at breaking tackles and has the speed to generate explosive plays.
At 5-foot-11, 210 pounds, he makes subtle movements at the first level and in space when creating pass opportunities. Ford is not a target who will revolutionize a passing game with concepts built around him, but he can be an outlet or last option of a quarterback's progression.
Round 5, No. 147: Luke Fortner, C/G, Kentucky
It's likely that the Giants will double up at offensive line and make two draft selections there. After already drafting Neal with their first selection, Schoen should select an interior blocker who has starter traits. And Fortner can play guard or center.
With Thomas and Neal penciled in as the two starters on the outside, adding Fortner into the mix provides New York with competition along the interior. And Fortner could battle for playing time early on.
Round 5, No. 173 (via KC/BAL): Tyquan Thornton, WR, Baylor
At 6-foot-2, 181 pounds, Thornton is a slender but explosive pass-catcher on the perimeter and thrives in the deep portions of the field. He averaged 15.3 yards per catch during final breakout college season, and his 4.28 40 time at the combine proved the speed that is littered throughout his game film.
Even though wide receiver isn't near the top of the needs list for the Giants, Thornton brings a different dynamic than what's currently on the roster. He would serve as a developmental option who can stress defenses vertically. And he could gain experience as a kickoff return specialist.
Thornton is the type of wide receiver who is worth taking a chance on in the later rounds.
Round 6, No. 182: Jeremiah Moon, OLB, Florida
Late-round picks are usually best spent drafting high-upside prospect who just lacked production or have come along slowly in their development. Moon fits well into the team's 3-4 defensive scheme as an outside linebacker.
At 6-foot-5, 249 pounds, he ran a 4.76 40, jumped 40.5 inches in the vertical jump and wowed with an impressive 11-foot-1 broad jump at the combine. His agility pops up frequently on tape, but Moon has failed to supplement it with any type of consistent pass-rush or run-defender prowess.
The Giants could take this opportunity to develop depth at outside linebacker -- the team already has Azeez Ojulari, Elerson Smith and Quincy Roche -- by using Moon strictly as a designated pass-rusher on late downs or in obvious pass situations.
Jordan Raanan's take
It's hard to argue with Neal and Thibodeaux. They might be the most talent players at their respective positions, and there is little doubt they fill desperate needs. Coach Brian Daboll even hinted at the NFL's annual owners meeting that the Giants are "looking to add" at right tackle, which is where Neal perhaps fits better than the other top options. Thibodeaux would give them the chance to finally add the top-shelf pass-rusher they've been missing since Jason Pierre-Paul was traded upon former general manager Dave Gettleman's arrival.
Elam, meanwhile, seems to fit what the Giants are trying to do defensively, and Tindall would be a nice complement to Blake Martinez in the middle of Martindale's unit. New York needs bodies at tight end. The middle rounds is their expected sweet spot, which is the case here with Likely. He's the kind of red-zone target that would help Jones.
The only complaint is that a running back who can do more on third downs than Ford would make more sense. Still, overall this would be a nice haul. Thornton's speed and ability as a returner (something the Giants haven't had in years) is a nice late-round touch, too.