New York Giants Mock Draft Roundup 3.0
Throughout the year and leading up to the 2022 NFL Draft, we will update our New York Giants Mock Draft Roundup showing picks for the New York Giants from several prominent sites and draft analysts.
The following are picks in recent mock drafts for the Giants:
CBS Sports - Chris Trapasso (1/20)
5. Malik Willis, QB, Liberty
Willis has the most magnificent traits in this draft class, and the Giants could keep him on the sideline for at least half a season with Daniel Jones still under contract.
7. Ikem Ekwonu, OT, North Carolina State
Ekwonu is a nasty but balanced blocker who will start at right tackle for the Giants.
ESPN - Mel Kiper (1/19)
5. Ikem Ekwonu, OT, North Carolina State
There has been a lot of recent buzz around Ekwonu, whose stock is rising. He dominated at left tackle for the Wolfpack this season after playing some guard earlier in his career. Based on the 2021 tape, there's not much separating Ekwonu from Evan Neal, and I wouldn't be surprised if Ekwonu was the top tackle off the board in April. He has All-Pro potential as a run-blocker and as a pass-blocker.
For the Giants -- who haven't yet replaced coach Joe Judge or general manager Dave Gettleman -- this would be top-five tackles in two of the past three drafts, but even though Andrew Thomas played better this season, the right tackle spot is far from settled. They just have to get better up front, and taking Ekwonu is a step toward that. Like the Jets, they have two top-10 picks, and they could go offense with the No. 7 selection.
7. David Ojabo, EDGE, Michigan
It's always tough to project for teams that haven't hired new general managers, so here's my thinking for this pick, which comes from the Bears in the Justin Fields trade up last year: The Giants have some solid options on defense, but it's fair to say they underperformed as a unit in 2021. The best way to get better as a whole? Pressure the quarterback, which helps every level of the defense. Rookie second-round pick Azeez Ojulari had a nice season, leading the team with eight sacks, but they don't have another top-tier edge rusher on the other side.
Ojabo can help the pass rush immediately. He had an incredibly impressive season, racking up 11 sacks and five forced fumbles while playing opposite my projected No. 1 pick, Aidan Hutchinson. He doesn't have Hutchinson's all-around game -- he has to get better against the run -- but as a pure pass-rusher, he has a very high ceiling. With these two top-seven selections, New York can get high-end starters on both sides of the ball.
The Athletic - Dane Brugler (1/19)
5. Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
Slowly but surely, Andrew Thomas is progressing at left tackle, but the right tackle spot was a glaring weak spot for the Giants this past season. Nate Solder has likely played his last snap with the franchise, and Matt Peart hasn't done enough to keep the Giants from finding an upgrade this offseason.
Neal has functional experience at guard and both tackle spots and would be an immediate improvement on the Giants' offensive line depth chart. His balance will fade as the play progresses, but he has a rare mix of size, athleticism and flexibility to make plays in pass protection and the run game.
7. Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame
Safety isn't the most glaring need on the Giants' depth chart, but with a new general manager and head coach, they will be looking to draft impact players, above everything else, in the top 10. And Hamilton might be the most talented player in the draft, regardless of position.
At 6-3 and 218 pounds, Hamilton is a super-sized safety with the range and length to be a matchup weapon in the NFL. Though his physical traits stand out, it is his football IQ that is most impressive, sensing what is about to happen and being disruptive.
PFF - Austin Gayle (1/17)
5. Ikem Ekwonu, OT, North Carolina State
At 6-foot-4 and 320 pounds, Ekwonu has guard-tackle versatility but earned a legitimate shot to start his NFL career at offensive tackle after his spectacular 2021 campaign at left tackle with the Wolfpack. He earned a 91.6 overall grade and 93.8 run-blocking grade across more than 800 offensive snaps this season, the latter of which ranks sixth among all single-season marks for Power Five tackles since 2014. He's a true road grader in the run game with improved polish and footwork in pass protection. A player with his kind of skill set shouldn't fall past the first 10 picks in the draft.
7. George Karlaftis, EDGE, Purdue
Karlaftis will get tagged as just a lunchpail type with a high motor in a lot of lazy analysis this draft season, but he's so much more than that. The 6-foot-4, 275-pounder was extremely productive for Purdue this season and should surprise with his athletic testing at the combine.
Karlaftis, another Feldman Freaks List member, reportedly recorded a 10-foot-1 broad jump, 37.5-inch vertical and 4.69-second 40-yard dash at just over 270 pounds this offseason. Boilermakers head coach Jeff Brohm also raved about Karlaftis' efforts on and off the field in a Tailgate interview before the season.
Baltimore Sun - C.J. Doon (1/14)
5. Ikem Ekwonu, OT, North Carolina State
The Giants will have a new general manager and coach to guide their draft after parting ways with Dave Gettleman and Joe Judge following a disastrous 4-13 season. The 6-4, 320-pound Ekwonu, a dominant run-blocker, would immediately upgrade a porous offensive line. He recorded the most big-time blocks in the country over the past two seasons, according to PFF.
7. George Karlaftis, EDGE, Purdue
If the Giants want to get back to the playoffs for the first time since 2016, they need to start winning in the trenches. The 6-4, 275-pound Karlaftis can line up anywhere on the line of scrimmage and beat blockers with power and technique.
Athlon Sports - Bryan Fischer (1/13)
5. George Karlaftis, EDGE, Purdue
The G-Men have to improve along both lines and Karlaftis' incredible motor and ability to line up all over will earn him high marks in the draft process. The versatility he brings in a division full of mobile quarterbacks is definitely a factor too.
7. Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
General manager Dave Gettleman may no longer be picking for the franchise but his love for the big men can continue for another draft as they land one of the rare tackles who truly can play either side without missing a beat. Few players are built like Neal is and the new Giants head coach will benefit greatly from the improved protection up front.
San Diego Union Tribune - Eddie Brown (1/13)
5. George Karlaftis, EDGE, Purdue
Passing on Micah Parsons could haunt the G-Men for years. Karlaftis has been one of the most consistent pass rushers in the nation during his three seasons in West Lafayette. His inside-outside versatility, overwhelming power and special athleticism could make him a star at the next level.
7. Ikem Ekwonu, OT, North Carolina State
The Giants need to add toughness and athleticism to their offense and Ekwonu was the most dominant run-blocking tackle in the country this season -- it really wasn't close. I envision him thriving at tackle or guard in the NFL.
USA Today - Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz (1/12)
5. Ikem Ekwonu, OT, North Carolina State
Call it a Dave Gettleman tribute pick, as the outgoing general manager would surely admire the team taking one of his beloved "hog mollies." After proving himself this season to be a skillful pass protector in addition to a bully in the run game, Ekwonu looks like just the kind of blocker Big Blue needs to bring on to stabilize a perpetually underperforming line that offers little long-term hope beyond left tackle Andrew Thomas.
7. Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame
Opting for safety this high might seem a bit of a luxury for a Giants team that has finally embraced a full rebuild. But Big Blue needs to stock up on top-tier talent where it can get it, and Hamilton surely fits that bill. At 6-4 and 220 pounds with massive range both in coverage and as a tackler, the two-time All-American can be utilized in an array of different manners. Pairing him with emerging standout Xavier McKinney would give the Giants a formidable tandem on the back end of their defense.
For The Win - Charles McDonald (1/12)
5. Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
The Giants have Andrew Thomas locked in on the left side, here's a running mate to really improve their offensive line.
7. David Ojabo, EDGE, Michigan
The Giants have needed pass rush for what feels like a decade. Ojabo has speed off the edge the Giants are desperately lacking in their defense.
The Draft Network - Joe Marino (1/10)
5. Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
One of the best-kept secrets in the NFL in 2021 was the growth of left tackle Andrew Thomas, who had his share of struggles as a rookie. He is developing nicely and looks to be the answer for the Giants at left tackle but the need to find a bookend opposite of him remains for an offense that appears to be facing a do or die season in 2022.
Evan Neal is experienced at right tackle and brings a rare blend of size, power, and mobility to the table. He can jumpstart the run game for the Giants and improve the pass protection in a make-or-break season with plenty of promise to be a long-term fixture.
7. David Ojabo, EDGE, Michigan
The Giants thought the defense would be reliable in 2021, but that was far from the case and now needs abound on both sides of the football. With that in mind, it's always smart to invest up front when needed to elevate a unit, so after investing in the offensive line with the first pick, it's the defensive line that gets a boost with the second first-rounder.
David Ojabo is the "other" edge rusher for Michigan, but he's an exceptional prospect in his own right. He features plenty of length, burst, and fluidity to be an impact defender in the NFL. His ability to string together counters is impressive and he can pair with Azeez Ojulari to provide the Giants with an exciting young duo of edge rushers.
MORE TEAMS: All NFL Team Mock Draft Roundups
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