Mock draft season has now gone into overdrive with projections and prognostications coming from every direction. That includes from our friends over at Draft Wire, who recently released their post-combine three-round mock.
At No. 5 overall, the Giants miss out on North Carolina State offensive lineman Ikem Ekwonu, who goes first overall to the Jacksonville Jaguars. But that doesn’t sting too bad as Big Blue gets a solid consolation prize: Alabama offensive tackle Evan Neal.
The Giants have bigger needs on defense, but it’s hard to pass up a franchise tackle, especially when one as talented as Neal falls into your lap. A massive mauler with rare athleticism for his size, Neal would pair up with Andrew Thomas to give the Giants a talented young tandem to protect Daniel Jones.
The Giants have no bigger needs than along the offensive line. Sure, they have some areas of concern defensively, but they’ll enter the new league year in search of four new starters along the O-Line. And Neal, once a consensus No. 1 overall pick, is about as good as it gets.
And the real bonus? The Giants address their defense and their need for an edge rusher just two picks later, snagging Jermaine Johnson II from Florida State.
After addressing their biggest need on offense at No. 5, the Giants do the same on the other side of the ball with this pick. Johnson backed up his impressive film with a dominant week at the Senior Bowl, followed by a strong showing the combine that should put him in the top-10 conversation.
Making the pick of Johnson look even better is what the Giants do at No. 36 overall. Still in need of talented defenders, Draft Wire has the Giants landing Alabama linebacker Christian Harris.
36. New York Giants | Alabama LB Christian Harris
Now we’re talking.
With their next two picks — each in the third round — the Giants land a new starting tight end and some depth at wide receiver.
67. New York Giants | Coastal Carolina TE Isaiah Likely
81. New York Giants (from MIA) | Boise State WR Khalil Shakir
The argument can most certainly be made that the Giants should have sought out a guard with one of their third-round picks, but Isaiah Likely is a potential steal and long-term starter, while Khalil Shakir gives Brian Daboll a little more to work with offensively.
