Giants Six-Round Mock Draft 2.0: Moving on Down

Welcome to the second of three New York Giants six-round mock drafts (New York has no seventh-round picks this year) you’ll find in this space before the NFL Draft begins on April 28th. Last time around, we faithfully mocked each of the Giants’ currently held nine picks, without projecting any trades up or down the board. Today, however, we’re building in a trade-down out of Big Blue’s fifth-overall pick.

This kind of move down the board could very well happen, given New York’s potentially in-demand position directly in front of the quarterback-needy Carolina Panthers. The Giants’ numerous roster holes mean they could use the extra picks garnered in any trade-down, and their already held seventh-overall selection (obtained from the Chicago Bears) allays the sting of giving up such a high-value pick.

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Specifically, this mock involves the Giants trading the fifth pick to the Pittsburgh Steelers for the 20th pick, the 52nd pick, and Pittsburgh’s 2023 second and third-round picks. Realistically, New York should also be able to fetch a 2023 first-rounder in such a swap. For the purposes of mocking just this year’s draft, however, this compensation makes sense.

In order to get a sense of how Big Blue’s 2022 draft could unfold in a potential trade-down scenario, let’s complete a Giants-only six-round mock draft factoring in the aforementioned Steelers deal. For this mock, we’ll be using Pro Football Network’s mock draft simulator.

Let’s get this mock on the road!

Round 1, Pick 7: OT Ikem Ekwonu, North Carolina State (6’4″, 310 pounds)

Just like our last mock, New York starts off by grabbing the incredibly gifted Ekwonu to fill their most glaring hole at right tackle. An imposing force in the run game, Ekwonu possesses every trait you look for in a tackle, including a righteously nasty demeanor. The Giants are fortunate he’s still available at this spot.

Read: Ikem Ekwonu’s Prospect Profile

Round 1, Pick 20: LB Devin Lloyd, Utah (6’3″, 235 pounds)

The Giants use the first of their picks obtained in the Steelers trade to fill one of their most underrated needs. Lloyd is a dynamic second-level defender who excels rushing the passer and crashing the backfield. New defensive coordinator Wink Martindale should have a blast utilizing this versatile playmaker.

Round 2, Pick 36: C Tyler Linderbaum, Iowa (6’3″, 290 pounds)

Such is the fickle nature of draft season. A player Giants fans were once clamoring for in the top-ten now falls to New York in the second round. If this actually transpires during the draft, snagging Linderbaum would be the ultimate no-brainer decision. The Iowa center is an incredibly mobile and athletic lineman that can transform a team’s run game.

Read: Tyler Linderbaum’s Prospect Profile

Round 2, Pick 52: EDGE Boye Mafe, Minnesota (6’3″, 255 pounds)

With their newfound second-round pick following the Steelers trade, Big Blue addresses their need at EDGE by taking the explosive if somewhat raw Mafe. After some necessary refinement, Mafe could become a better NFL player than college player.

Round 3, Pick 67: WR Skyy Moore, Western Michigan (5’10”, 195 pounds)

While not an immediate concern for the Giants, receiver looms as imminent need with Sterling Shepard nearing the end of his contract. Moore could fill Shepard’s shoes nicely, as his shiftiness and competitive streak make him well suited for a slot role. He also represents very good value here in the third round.

Round 3, Pick 81: TE Greg Dulcich, UCLA (6’4″, 250 pounds)

Dulcich is another pick this mock has in common with our last. If the UCLA speedster is still available in this range, it makes too much sense for Big Blue to nab him. He fills a glaring hole for the Giants at tight end, and his pass-catching prowess will make him attractive to Brian Daboll and New York’s offensive braintrust.

Round 4, Pick 112: RB James Cook, Georgia (5’11”, 190 pounds)

This is another pick that stays unchanged from our last Giants-only mock. It’s no secret that Joe Schoen and company are fans of Cook, and the beginning of day three is where a versatile running back like him starts to represent good value. Dalvin’s little brother should hit the ground running as a dynamic pass-catching back.

Round 5, Pick 147: S JT Woods, Baylor (6’2″, 193 pounds)

Like most Baylor products, Woods is an elite athlete that hasn’t yet mastered how to actually play football. In the fifth round, that’s all you can ask for. The former track star can come in and learn from heady players like Xavier McKinney and Julian Love, and hopefully develop into a starter.

Round 5, Pick 173: EDGE Josh Paschal, Kentucky (6’3″, 278 pounds)

Paschal is really good value here in the fifth round. He’s a determined, aggressive player with excellent burst and strength at the point of attack. While not a high-end pass rusher by any means, he can step in immediately as an effective rotational defensive lineman.

Round 6, Pick 182: DT Neil Farrell Jr., LSU (6’4″, 325 pounds)

Big Blue fills an underrated need here with their last pick. Farrell is your prototypical nose tackle, stuffing the run and eating up blockers while offering little as a pass rusher. With the departure of Austin Johnson in free agency, the Giants could use Farrell’s undeniable if limited skill set in the middle of their defensive line.

– 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.