New York Giants Mock Draft Roundup 4.0

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:

SI - Kevin Hanson (2/17)

5. Ikem Ekwonu, OT, North Carolina State

Ekwonu is in the mix to be the first pick, and he would be an easy choice for the Giants here, if available. Even with left tackle Andrew Thomas playing much better in 2021 than he did as a rookie in '20, the Giants had one of the league's worst offensive lines last season, and several of their starters are impending free agents, including right tackle Nate Solder. Dubbed "Mr. Pancake" (with 67 syrup bottles to represent each of his pancake blocks), Ekwonu is a mauler in the run game with the traits to continue to develop as a pass blocker and the experience and versatility to play either tackle or guard.

7. David Ojabo, EDGE, Michigan

Second-round rookie Azeez Ojulari led the Giants in sacks (eight) in 2021, but the team still ranked 30th in pass-rush win rate last season. Relatively raw, Ojabo began playing organized football as a junior in high school and was only a one-year starter at Michigan. That said, he recorded double-digit sacks (11) last season. While he can start his career as a situational pass rusher, his length, explosiveness and bend give him as much upside as any pass rusher in this class.

Yahoo! Sports - Eric Edholm (2/17)

5. Ikem Ekwonu, OT, North Carolina State

"Ickey" isn't perfect, technique-wise, but he has the frame, the play strength, finishing ability and temperament to be a bulldozer up front. The Giants could make him a right tackle and pair Ekwonu opposite emerging left tackle Andrew Thomas or kick the rookie inside, where he also could be a star. The Giants need more physical tone setters and land one of the best available here.

7. Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah

In Bills GM Brandon Beane's first draft in Buffalo, the banner move was trading up for Josh Allen. But Tremaine Edwards also was a player the Bills targeted with their second first-round pick in 2018 for his length, athleticism and third-down ability, and Lloyd could check off those same boxes for new Giants GM Joe Schoen -- Beane's former understudy in Buffalo -- in his maiden draft in New York.

Draft Wire - Luke Easterling (2/17)

5. Ikem Ekwonu, OT, North Carolina State

If Brian Daboll is going to work any magic with Daniel Jones like he did with Josh Allen, the offensive line needs huge improvements. Drafting Ekwonu would be a big step in the right direction, adding a pro-ready blocker who earned all-conference honors at both guard and tackle.

7. David Ojabo, EDGE, Michigan

After addressing the offensive trenches with their first selection, the Giants use their additional top-10 pick to land an impact player for their defensive front. While Hutchinson grabbed more headlines in 2021, Ojabo was just as impressive, and deserves to be one of the first players off the board.

ESPN - Todd McShay (2/16)

5. Kayvon Thibodeaux, EDGE, Oregon

Yes, the Giants need offensive linemen, but with a second top-10 pick on deck and the top two linemen off the board, we're pivoting to the other massive weakness: pass rush. And wouldn't you know it, Thibodeaux falls right into the Giants' lap here. He has great quickness, a good arsenal of pass-rush moves and plenty of versatility. His tape is up and down, hence a slight slide to No. 5, but he'd immediately elevate a New York pass rush that had 34 sacks (tied for 22nd) last season. And he'd perfectly complement Leonard Williams and Azeez Ojulari, the team's 2021 second-rounder who led the defense with 8.0 sacks in his rookie year.

7. Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State

As I mentioned above, I'm not totally sure Cross is a top-10 pick. But he handles speed rushers well and plays with patience, and I see good angles on tape in the run game. He's the next best tackle on the board, and after landing Kayvon Thibodeaux at No. 5, New York can afford to reach a little bit here. With a new GM, head coach and offensive coordinator, the Giants are going to give quarterback Daniel Jones every chance to succeed in 2022 before making a decision on their future under center. Jones has taken a lot of hits, and though left tackle Andrew Thomas rounded into form in 2021, the line remains a glaring problem. Cross, who gave up one sack on 683 pass-block snaps last season, helps.

Fox Sports - Rob Rang (2/16)

5. Ikem Ekwonu, OT, North Carolina State

With first-round picks spent on their quarterback (Daniel Jones), running back (Saquon Barkley), wide receiver (Kadarius Toney) and tight end (Evan Engram), the Giants have invested far too much in skill position players to have scored an NFL-worst 22 touchdowns last season.

Okwonu is a bit raw, but he is a brawler who would help restore some of the girth and nastiness missing up front for Big Blue.

7. Derek Stingley Jr., CB, LSU

As their roster is currently constructed, the Giants have significantly bigger needs than cornerback. Veteran James Bradberry is viewed as a potential cap casualty, however, as he is coming off a disappointing season and is due for a massive salary bump to just under $22 million.

Having played just 10 games (with zero interceptions) in the two years since he dominated college football as a true freshman for the national champion LSU Tigers, Stingley is a scary evaluation for some. The tape shows a dominant player, though. At this point in the draft, he's too good to pass up -- especially considering the receiver talent in the NFC East.

USA Today - Nate Davis (2/15)

5. Ikem Ekwonu, OT, North Carolina State

If the new regime is as committed to QB Daniel Jones as it claims, then it's time to protect him. The 6-4, 320-pound Ekwonu, who typically manned the left side for the Wolfpack, would make a formidable bookend to LT Andrew Thomas or could kick to guard, where he played significant snaps in 2020. A dominant run blocker, Ekwonu could also help the Giants unleash RB Saquon Barkley once again.

7. Nakobe Dean, LB, Georgia

When you need help at the second level as badly as the G-Men do, what better way to go than a national championship-minted leader who's also one of the smartest, rangiest players coming out of college? Bonus: Dean, the 2021 Butkus Award winner as college football's top linebacker, was a teammate of 2021 Giants rookie OLB Azeez Ojulari in Athens.

The Ringer - Danny Kelly (2/15)

5. Ikem Ekwonu, OT, North Carolina State

The Giants have spent big at the offensive skill position spots in the past few years, using premium draft picks on Daniel Jones, Saquon Barkley, and Kadarius Toney while giving Kenny Golladay a big-money contract in free agency. If any of those guys are going to live up to their potential, though, new head coach Brian Daboll needs to get more from the offensive line. Choosing Ekwonu here is a great start.

7. George Karlaftis, EDGE, Purdue

The Giants need to bolster their edge rush group this offseason, and grabbing Karlaftis here gives them day-one starter and impact player. Paired with second-year rusher Azeez Ojulari (who netted 8.0 sacks as a rookie), Karlaftis gives new defensive coordinator Wink Martindale some much-needed speed and physicality on the edge.

The Draft Scout - Matt Miller (2/14)

5. Ikem Ekwonu, OT, North Carolina State

With the emerging Andrew Thomas on one side and the powerhouse Ikem Ekwonu on the other, Brian Daboll should see a huge spark for his new offense with the Giants. The team has to get accurate evaluations of Daniel Jones and Saquan Barkley this season. Investing in an offensive line that can help them produce is crucial to that evaluation.

7. David Ojabo, EDGE, Michigan

As important as it is for the Giants to fix their offensive line this offseason, equally important is upgrading the defensive line and pass rush. Ojabo is a raw player who just came on in 2021, but his athletic upside is through the roof. Some scouts believe he has a higher upside than teammate Aidan Hutchinson.

NFL.com - Chad Reuter (2/14)

5. Ikem Ekwonu, OT, North Carolina State

Ekwonu is a wide-bodied stud who has lighter feet than you'd expect for someone with his girth. The Giants could play him at guard or tackle.

7. Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah

Lloyd steps into the middle of the Giants' defense, providing run-stopping ability but also the athleticism to work in coverage and attack the passer. He showed some potential to affect games as a pass rusher like Dallas Cowboys rookie Micah Parsons did last fall when given the chance.

PFF - Mike Renner (2/14)

5. Kayvon Thibodeaux, EDGE, Oregon

Thibodeaux's mini-slide ends with the edge-needy Giants. The Oregon product teams up with Azeez Ojulari to give the Giants an athletic duo to pressure opposing quarterbacks.

7. Ahmad Gardner, CB, Cincinnati

Gardner comes off the board as CB1. With James Bradberry's massive cap hit throwing his future in New York into doubt, the Giants need a guy to match up with top wideouts. Gardner allowed a 32.6 passer rating on throws into his coverage during his college career.

MORE TEAMS: All NFL Team Mock Draft Roundups

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