Giants Six-Round Mock Draft 1.0

In our first New York Giants mock draft, Big Blue comes away from the first round with help in the trenches. 

It’s officially Draft Month, which means we’re just a few weeks away from the New York Giants’ new general manager Joe Schoen putting his first major set of fingerprints on this team. Big Blue had a fairly uneventful free agency thanks to a constrictive salary-cap situation, so the upcoming NFL Draft represents Schoen’s first real opportunity to make franchise-altering decisions. New York’s stable of nine picks, including two in the top ten overall, makes this draft even more important.

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In order to forecast the Giants’ 2022 draft class, let’s complete our first Giants-only six-round mock draft (New York has no seventh-round picks this year). We’ll be using The Draft Network’s mock draft simulator, so please direct any complaints about there being “no way” a certain player could be available at a certain spot to them.

So, without further ado, let’s mock!

Round 1, Pick 5: OT Ikem Ekwonu, North Carolina State (6’4″, 310 pounds)

With the Giants’ glaring hole at right tackle, this pick should be one of Alabama’s Evan Neal or Ekwonu if one or both are still available. In this simulation, the New York Jets took Neal at fourth overall. That leaves Ekwonu as Schoen’s first draft choice as the Giants’ GM. Fans should be very pleased with this pick. Ekwonu is an already dominant run blocker with the frame and agility to develop into a very good pass protector as well.

Read: Ikem Ekwonu’s Prospect Profile

Round 1, Pick 7: EDGE Kayvon Thibodeaux, Oregon (6’4″, 254 pounds)

If this is how the first round breaks for the Giants on draft night, fans could start weeping for joy. Offensive tackle and pass rush have been New York’s dual Achilles’ Heels for seemingly forever. Addressing both of those areas with elite prospects in one draft would be a dream come true. Thibodeaux, at one point thought to be this draft’s best prospect, is an elite athlete with exceptional burst, length, and hands for the position.

Round 2, Pick 36: LB Nakobe Dean, Georgia (5’11”, 229 pounds)

The top of the second round is a great place to steal first-round value. There’s always at least a couple high-end prospects that slip to day two. In this case, the Giants happily grab Dean, a clear-cut top-two linebacker prospect in this class. The Georgia product fills a need, too, as the starting inside linebacker spot next to Blake Martinez remains a question mark. Safeties Jaquan Brisker and Jalen Pitre were also in consideration here.

Read: Nakobe Dean’s Prospect Profile

Round 3, Pick 67: DT Travis Jones, UConn (6’4″, 325 pounds)

The interior of the defensive line has been a strength of New York recently, but the departures of Dalvin Tomlinson and Austin Johnson the last couple years have made that area vulnerable. Jones represents a useful infusion of young talent at the position. At well over 300 pounds, he profiles as a classic 3-4 nose tackle with very good athleticism for his size. Receivers Calvin Austin III and Jalen Tolbert were potential picks in this spot.

Round 3, Pick 81: TE Greg Dulcich, UCLA (6’4″, 243 pounds)

With the departure of Evan Engram in free agency and the releases of Kyle Rudolph and Kaden Smith, New York’s tight end room needs a complete restock. The signing of veteran Ricky Seals-Jones started that process, but more reinforcements are necessary. Dulcich brings speed and dynamic route-running ability to the position. Given the types of tight ends head coach Brian Daboll and offensive coordinator MIke Kafta deployed in their previous stops, Dulcich gets the nod over a blocking tight end like Cade Otton.

Round 4, Pick 112: RB James Cook, Georgia (5’11”, 199 pounds)

It’s no secret the Giants want to add some young talent at running back with Saquon Barkley entering the final season of his rookie contract. New York has been heavily rumored to have interest in Cook, which would make sense given his ability to contibute in the passing game. Cook is the younger brother of Minnesota Vikings’ Pro Bowl running back Dalvin Cook.

Round 5, Pick 147: CB Coby Bryant, Cincinnati (6’1″, 193 pounds)

Bryant is the “other” cornerback from Cincinnati, as Ahmad Gardner is getting all the first-round hype. He was the one, however, to win the Jim Thorpe Award last season as the top defensive back in college football. Don’t let that hardware fool you into thinking Bryant is an elite prospect, but he’s still a solid, smart player with good ball skills and plenty of experience. If the Giants do decide to trade James Bradberry this offseason, they’ll need another option at outside cornerback.

Round 5, Pick 173: OG Lecitus Smith, Virginia Tech (6’3″, 314 pounds)

The Giants have done a good job supplementing their interior offensive line with low-cost signings. But it’s always smart to add depth and potential to that position. Smith has shorter arms and needs to improve his technique, but he does possess solid stength and athleticism. At this point in the draft, you’re simply looking for players with enough projectable traits to warrant further development.

Round 6, Pick 182: S Reed Blankenship, Middle Tennessee (6’1″, 196 pounds)

The Giants could use more bodies at safety with both Jabrill Peppers and Logan Ryan leaving this offseason. Blankenship certainly won’t come in to start, but he could provide decent depth while contributing on special teams. He’s at his best as an in-the-box safety that can blitz or assist in the run game.

– Ryan Cuneo is the Managing Editor of Full Press Giants. He covers the New York Giants. Like and follow on Follow @ryan_cuneo Follow @FullPressGiants and Facebook.