The New York Giants will need to address multiple positions in the 2022 NFL draft in order to fill out their roster ahead of organized team activities and minicamps.
Perhaps chief among those is right tackle, which many anticipate the Giants the Giants will focus on early. That includes ESPN draft expert Mel Kiper Jr., who has them taking NC State offensive lineman Ikem Ekwonu with the No. 5 overall pick in his latest mock draft.
If the board shakes out this way, the Giants would have to be thrilled to get their pick of the top two offensive tackles. I have Ekwonu just slightly over Evan Neal, but it’s tough to go wrong with either — they are my Nos. 2 and 3 prospects in this class. Ekwonu answered every question about his pass-protection ability last season. If left tackle Andrew Thomas keeps improving, these two could form one of the NFL’s best bookend pairings.
Two picks later, Kiper believes the Giants will finally address their pass rush problem. But with Kayvon Thibodeaux already off the board, Big Blue lands on Florida State defensive end Jermaine Johnson II instead.
The Giants can get their tackle at No. 5 and then focus on their defense, which allowed 4.7 yards per play last season (31st in the NFL). Johnson had 12 sacks last season and was one of the most impressive prospects at the Senior Bowl in January. He already has a few veteran pass-rush moves and can be an instant starter. He also played a lot of outside linebacker for the Seminoles, so he will have some versatility in Don Martindale’s defense. And if you’re keeping track, this makes four edge rushers in the top seven picks.
And finally, in the second round, Kiper has the Giants nabbing Baylor safety Jalen Pitre.
This makes five safeties off the board in the top 36 picks. Pitre was stellar against the run last season; he had 20 run stops, according to ESPN Stats & Info, which were the most by any FBS defensive back. He impressed teams at the Senior Bowl. The Giants could target a wide receiver here, depending on how the board falls. The 6-foot-3 George Pickens (Georgia) could make sense.
How would you feel about this trio, Giants fans? It addresses three areas of need but from a mock draft standpoint, it’s really more of the same. The Giants are very predictable going into this draft and the mocks have become redundant.
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