Giants Draft Grades For All Eleven Picks

Joe Schoen’s first draft as the New York Giants’ general manager is in the books. While we won’t be able to properly evaluate this draft class for at least a few years, it’s never too early to assess the value procured with each pick.

Big Blue entered this draft with nine total selections, but thanks to consecutive trade backs in the second round, they left the draft with a gigantic eleven-pick haul. New York hopes all eleven players develop into real contributors and form a foundation for the next era of Giants football. Chances are only a few will actually become long-term Giants, but it’s in these fresh moments after the draft when optimism defeats objectivity.

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So, in an attempt to gauge the quality of Schoen’s maiden draft class, let’s assign a letter grade to each of the Giants’ eleven picks.

Round 1, Pick 5: EDGE Kayvon Thibodeaux, Oregon (6’4″, 254 pounds)

Even with another selection in the top ten, Thibodeaux is the crown jewel of New York’s 2022 draft class. At the beginning of the draft process, the Oregon product was commonly projected as the first-overall pick. Vague concerns about his “personality” and “effort” eventually knocked him off that pedestal, allowing Big Blue to snag him with the fifth pick. Thibodeaux has an incredibly explosive first step, to along with ideal length and athletism for the EDGE position. He has a strong chance to become the next star Giants pass rusher.

Grade: A

Round 1, Pick 7: OT Evan Neal, Alabama (6’7″, 337 pounds)

With no offensive tackles coming off the board in the top-four, the Giants were able to take the best player available at pick-5, knowing they’d get one of Neal or Ikem Ekwonu at pick-7. Ekwonu went to the Carolina Panthers at pick-6, leaving the mammoth Neal for Big Blue. The 2021 first-team All-SEC member will start from day-one at right tackle, combining with Andrew Thomas to form arguably the best young tackle tandem in football. Neal’s physical gifts and advanced technique make both his floor and ceiling very high.

Grade: A

Round 2, Pick 43: WR Wan’Dale Robinson, Kentucky (5’8″, 178 pounds)

The Giants started at 36th-overall in the second round, but after trading down twice and adding two extra day-three picks, they finally grabbed Robinson at pick-43. Robinson was ultra-productive last year at Kentucky after transferring from Nebraska, racking up 104 receptions and 1,334 yards. His quickness and burst make him an exciting gadget player, but his small stature and catch-radius limits his role at the next level. It’ll be fun to watch how Robinson gets deployed in New York’s offense, but it’s hard to justify taking a diminutive slot receiver this early.

Grade: C-

Round 3, Pick 67: OG Joshua Ezeudu, North Carolina (6’4″, 308 pounds)

Ezeudu has quality length, athleticism, and versatility. He played both guard and tackle in college, which was probably attractive to the Giants. He has good mobility and an appealingly aggressive play style, but needs to improve his anchor and technique to reach his potential. He should compete to be the starting left guard right away. It’s hard to argue with the Giants devoting day-two resources to the offensive line, but pick-67 is much earlier than most projected Ezeudu to go.

Grade: C+

Round 3, Pick 81: CB Cor’Dale Flott, LSU (6’0″, 175 pounds)

New York’s final day-two pick addresses the cornerback position, which takes on greater importance in new coordinator Wink Martindale’s defense. Flott is a long and light coverage player that played primarily in the slot in college. He has very good fluidity, speed, and awareness, but will need to add weight in order to match up with the bigger outside receivers in the NFL. It’ll be interesting to see where the Giants play Flott, because he has potential to play multiple positions in the secondary. He’s appropriate value here in the middle of the third round.

Grade: B

Round 4, Pick 112: TE Daniel Bellinger, San Diego State (6’5″, 253 pounds)

The Giants needed to add some young talent to a sparce tight end room, and they finally do so here. Bellinger wasn’t very productive in college, but he has the frame and athleticism to potentially blossom as a pro. He projects as an in-line tight end that can both block and catch once he gets a little more seasoning. Bellinger is a traitsy prospect worth gambling on here in the fourth round.

Grade: B-

Round 4, Pick 114: S Dane Belton, Iowa (6’1″, 205 pounds)

After the departures of Jabrill Peppers and Logan Ryan this offseason, safety suddenly became a legitimate need for Big Blue. Belton is more of a strong safety type that does his best work closer to the line of scrimmage. He has very good ball skills, as evidenced by his five interceptions and seven pass breakups in 2021. In the NFL, he can be used to cover tight ends and help in run support, but shouldn’t be asked to play deep coverage too often.

Grade: C+

Round 5, Pick 146: LB Micah McFadden, Indiana (6’1″, 240 pounds)

The Giants continue to address different positions with every pick, this time targeting linebacker with the undersized but instinctive McFadden. The former team captain at Indiana is at his best reading blockers and shooting gaps to make plays on ball carriers. He lacks the ideal agility and speed to excel in coverage, and his sawed-off frame can keep him stuck on blocks. He’s a good blitzer, however, and brings the required physicality to at the very least contribute on special teams.

Grade: C

Round 5, Pick 147: DT D.J. Davidson, Arizona State (6’3″, 327 pounds)

Once again, the Giants target a different position from the rest of their picks, as they now pick up a nose tackle for the middle of their three-man front. Davidson is your prototypical nose, eating blocks and holding the point of attack while offering little as a pass rusher. For New York, that’s perfectly fine, as nose tackle is a role they need filled following the departure of Austin Johnson in free agency. Davidson should come in and split snaps with veteran Justin Ellis as a rookie.

Grade: C+

Round 5, Pick 173: OG Marcus McKethan, North Carolina (6’6″, 340 pounds)

The Giants go back to the well that is North Carolina’s offensive line by drafting the huge McKethan. The former Tarheel provides excellent size, length, and power, and can definitely move some people in the run game when given the chance. He may struggle against your more athletic defensive lineman, especially in pass protection, and savvier linemen can exploit his aggression. McKethan should be solid guard depth, while maybe getting some run as a jumbo tight end in short-yardage situations.

Grade: C+

Round 6, Pick 182: LB Darrian Beavers, Cincinnati (6’4″, 237 pounds)

Beavers is a hard-nosed, old-school linebacker. He’s at his best coming downhill, engaging and discarding blocks to play the run. Unfortunately, he’s a subpar athlete for the NFL, which means coverage and weakside pursuit aren’t exactly his bag. Beavers can develop into a solid early-down base linebacker, and should provide special teams value right away.

Grade: B-

– 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.