It’s almost over, folks. Mock draft season, that is. In a little more than a week, we’ll have the real NFL draft to kick around but for now, let’s talk about what the Giants will do with their two top 10 picks next week in Las Vegas.
The Draft Network’s Kyle Crabbs has the right idea by using the fifth and seventh overall selections to upgrade the Giants’ ability to protect their quarterback and get after their opponents.
Round 1, Pick 5: Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
Why I would do it: Neal has played right guard, right tackle, and left tackle over the last three seasons. In an offense that desperately needs everything on the line outside of left tackle Andrew Thomas, Neal having that kind of versatility and experience gives him plenty of paths to success. Ideally, you don’t draft a lineman here to not play left tackle but this is a decade-long investment, not a one-and-done.
Good points. Neal could certainly end up at left tackle — or even at guard — if needed but for now, adding him to the right tackle spot gives the Giants a nice pair of bookends to help Daniel Jones reach his potential as a franchise quarterback.
Round 1, Pick 7: Travon Walker, edge rusher, Georgia
Why I would do it: Walker’s rise as a prospect has been surreal. There’s a lot of buzz that he could go even higher than this but I like the “sweet spot” here for a defense that had a good add in Azeez Ojulari last season in Round 2. Walker, along with the stout interior defenders, gives New York plenty of defenders to dictate the point of attack.
The Giants love players from Georgia and they will love this kid, too. He has what it takes to succeed at the pro level and can lift the Giants’ front seven into elite status. New defensive coordinator Wink Martindale will find ways to generate pressure on the quarterback but Walker will not need schemes to free him up. He’ll be leading the charge.
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