Back in January, Bleacher Report conducted a re-draft of the 2022 NFL draft. In it, the Giants passed on offensive lineman Evan Neal with their second pick of the first round.
This week, ESPN also conduct a 2022 re-draft and somewhat ironically, they came to the very same conclusion Bleacher Report had previously.
With their first pick (No. 5) overall in Round 1, the Giants stick with edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux.
Let’s stick with the original pick of Thibodeaux. He led all qualifying rookies in pass rush win rate (17.9%) and got better as the season progressed once his knee was healthy. There’s little doubt Thibodeaux will be a good player. The only question is whether he develops into a star.
Two picks later, at No. 7 overall, ESPN has the Giants passing on Neal in favor of wide receiver Garrett Wilson. That’s the exact scenario that played out with Bleacher Report.
This is the kind of No. 1 receiver Daniel Jones and the Giants need. Wilson led all rookie receivers in receptions (83) and yards (1,103) this season, and that was without steady quarterback play for the Jets. He’s going to be a star in New York, but with that other team. Neal gave up 11 sacks in 13 games as the Giants’ primary right tackle.
Neal struggled through injuries in 2022 and looked very much like Andrew Thomas did as a rookie. And while the Giants do need a talented No. 1 wide receiver, they also had a huge need at right tackle. Had they passed on Neal, that would still exist.
If Neal turns things around as Thomas has, these re-drafts are going to look foolish in hindsight.
