2018 NFL Draft: New York Giants 7-round mock draft 1.0

The 2018 NFL Draft is months away, but that hasn’t stopped Big Blue fans from looking ahead.

The New York Giants hold their highest draft selection in over three decades after posting a franchise-worst 13 losses in 2017. The G-Men have made some great draft selections with top five picks but have left fans scratching their heads in recent years.

Over the past three drafts, New York’s selections of Evan Engram, Eli Apple, and Ereck Flowers have helped led to the downfall of Big Blue. Both Apple and Flowers were considered reaches at the time, and selecting a pass-catching tight end with one of the league’s worst offensive lines made no sense.

While Jerry Reese’s tenure will always be remembered for missed draft opportunities and his refusal to address the offensive line, he did add some quality talent to New York’s roster, particularly in the middle rounds.

Landon Collins, Weston Richburg, Devon Kennard, Dalvin Tomlinson Sterling Shepard, and Darian Thompson are a few of Big Blue’s notable starters taken after the first-round.

While most Giants fans are eager to see what New York does with the No. 2 overall pick, newly appointed general manager Dave Gettleman knows how important each draft selection will be to the franchise’s future.

It’s never too early for a mock draft, especially when your team is coming off a 3-13 season.

Giants Trade No. 2 Overall Pick To The New York Jets

Gettleman pulls off a big trade in GMEN HQ’s first mock draft, sending the No. 2 overall pick to the New York Jets for four draft selections.

While the Jets get the second overall pick and their quarterback of the future, Big Blue gets the No. 6 overall pick, Gang Green’s second-round selection from Seattle, a fourth-round pick, and a first-round selection in the 2019 NFL Draft.

Jets general manager Mike Maccagnan said last week that he would be willing to trade up in the 2018 draft when asked on ESPN 98.7.

"“The simple answer to that question is yes. If that was a player we felt strong about, we would have no qualms of potentially trying to go up and get him.”"

The transaction would be similar to Cleveland’s trade with Philadelphia in the 2016 draft, but New York would only be trading back to No. 6 overall, as opposed to No. 8. Big Blue would also receive just one pick in next year’s draft but would only be giving up the No. 2 overall pick.

First-Round – Notre Dame OT Mike McGlinchey

Gettleman and the Giants focus on the rebuild of Big Blue’s offensive line before finding their next franchise quarterback.

The G-Men select Notre Dame’s 6-foot-8, 315-pound left tackle with the No. 6 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper lists Notre Dame’s All-American the top offensive tackle prospect in this year’s class.

McGlinchey, Texas offensive tackle Connor Williams, and Oklahoma offensive tackle Orlando Brown are considered the top three offensive tackle prospects by most draft analysts. But McGlinchey is likely the safest choice with the lowest floor of the three offensive tackles.

While some would argue Williams and Brown have more upside, the Giants can not afford to take another gamble similar to Flowers. McGlinchey was Pro Football Focus’ top graded offensive tackle during the 2017 season.

Selecting McGlinchey in the first-round would allow New York’s coaching staff the ability to move Flowers to the right tackle position. The Giants have a decision to make on Flowers’ fifth-year option this offseason and need to start putting a plan in place for both their right and left tackle positions.

Second-Round – Ohio State C Billy Price

The Giants have some significant decisions to make along the offensive line, including whether to re-sign Justin Pugh or Richburg. In this mock draft, it’s assumed Big Blue is able to re-sign Pugh but loses Richburg in free agency.

While New York’s backup center Brett Jones is a restricted free agent this offseason, the Giants would be foolish to pass on Price if available at the start of the second-round.

Ohio State’s 6-foot-4, 312-pound center is considered the best prospect at his position. NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah wrote that Price is “one of the best center prospects I’ve seen in the past decade.”

Bleacher Report draft analyst Matt Miller lists the Buckeyes center as the 29th best prospect regardless of position on his most recent Big Board.

While offensive tackles, quarterbacks, defensive backs, and pass rushers tend to fly off the boards in the early rounds, only two centers have been taken in the first-round of the past three drafts.

Second-Round (Jets/Seahawks) – LSU RB Derrius Guice

The G-Men used a fifth-round pick in the 2016 draft on running back Paul Perkins and then selected Wayne Gallman in the fourth-round the following year. Neither tailback has locked down the starting role.

In fact, it was New York’s undrafted running back Orleans Darkwa that led the team in rushing this season. But he is slated to be an unrestricted free agent this offseason. Retaining Darkwa should remain a priority for Big Blue, but that doesn’t mean Gettleman won’t select a tailback at some point during the 2018 draft.

Guice would make a perfect fit in New York’s backfield and could give the Giants a one-two punch alongside Gallman. LSU’s 5-foot-11, 218-pound running back officially declared for early entry on Wednesday.

It’s unknown if Guice will still be on the board in the middle of the second-round. But the Giants shouldn’t hesitate to snag LSU’s powerful tailback if he is still available. Kiper didn’t include the Tigers prospect on his Big Board, but Miller lists him as the ninth best player in the draft.

Charlie Campbell of Walter Football projects Guice to be a second to third-round draft selection.

Only three running backs have gone in the first-round in the past two drafts, and Gettleman selected one of those players, Christian McCaffrey, last year with Carolina.

Through three seasons in Baton Rouge, Guice has amassed 3,074 rushing yards and has scored 32 touchdowns.

Third-Round – Iowa LB Josey Jewell

The Giants rarely invested in the linebacker position during Reese’s tenure, but find their future middle linebacker for the next decade in the third-round.

If Jewell impresses NFL evaluators, he could skyrocket up NFL teams’ Big Boards. At the moment, the Hawkeyes 6-foot-2, 236-pound linebacker is projected to be a mid-round draft selection.

The Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year would be a welcome addition alongside New York’s defensive leaders Collins and Damon Harrison. Over the past three seasons, Jewell has amassed 382 tackles, 27 tackles for a loss, 26 passes defended, nine sacks, six interceptions, and three forced fumbles.

There is plenty of talent at the linebacker position in this year’s draft class. Players like Georgia’s Roquan Smith, Alabama’s Rashaan Evans, and Texas’ Malik Jefferson are expected to come off the board early.

Miller lists Jewell as the “biggest sleeper” at his position and ranks the Hawkeyes prospect as the seventh best linebacker in this year’s class.

Giants middle linebacker B.J. Goodson missed nine games in 2017 and has yet to prove himself a long-term solution.

Fourth-Round – Ole Miss DE Breeland Speaks

Gettleman made it clear in his introductory press conference the importance of a pass rush and that a team can never too many great players at one position, via New York’s team website.

"“Let me tell you something. I don’t care what position it is. You can never have too many great players at one position. I mean, you think about us – we got (Michael) Strahan and Osi (Umenyiora) and we’re drafting (Justin) Tuck and we’re drafting (Mathias) Kiwanuka and people are looking at us like we have brain damage.”"

The Giants finished the 2017 season tied with the Buffalo Bills for the third fewest team sacks (27) in the NFL despite two of their biggest contracts belonging to Jason Pierre-Paul and Olivier Vernon.

With that said, the Giants get an athletic 6-foot-3, 285-pound defensive end at the beginning of the fourth-round in Speaks.

After switching from defensive tackle to defensive end in his junior season, Speaks was voted second-team All-SEC. He recorded 61 tackles, eight tackles for a loss, seven sacks, and one forced fumble.

Rebels head coach Matt Luke praised Speaks for his leadership during a turbulent time at Ole Miss, via SEC Country.

"“I have seen Breeland grow as a person and a player over the last four years, and we’re excited to see him take this next step in his career. I am particularly proud of the leadership he brought to our team amidst the challenges we faced. He is a true Rebel, and we look forward to watching him continue our program’s rich NFL tradition.”"

Speaks would likely be an ideal fit as a 4-3 defensive end and could work out as rotational pass rusher along with Avery Moss.

Fourth-Round (Jets) – Georgia OT Isaiah Wynn

If there has been one theme so far in this mock draft, it’s rebuilding the offensive line. The Giants have already selected a cornerstone left tackle and found a replacement for Richburg. But Big Blue still needs depth along the offensive line.

After losing Richburg and Pugh to season-ending injuries, New York’s offensive line went from bad to terrible.

The Giants can no longer afford to ignore the offensive line, and Gettleman continues to build for 2018 and the future with his selection of Wynn in the fourth-round.

The Bulldogs 6-foot-2, 302-pound prospect started every game at left tackle in his senior season. It’s unknown if Wynn will still be on the board at the start of the fourth-round. NFL draft analysts have wide-ranging opinions regarding Georgia’s offensive tackle.

Walter Football projects Wynn to be a second to third-round selection and writes that he “has drawn comparisons” to Jets starting left tackle Kelvin Beachum due to his “size and skill set.”

Miller, on the hand, lists Wynn as the 10th best guard in the draft and labels him the “biggest question mark” at his position.

The Bulldogs left tackle will have the opportunity to raise his draft stock at the Senior Bowl and the Scouting Combine, but for now Big Blue lands him with their second fourth-round selection.

Fifth-Round – Western Michigan CB Darius Phillips

The G-Men add some youth to their secondary at the start of the fifth-round. New York seems likely to hold onto Eli Apple in 2018. But that doesn’t mean Gettleman won’t bring in any competition.

New York’s new general manager selected Western Michigan offensive lineman Taylor Moton in the second-round of last year’s draft with Carolina and now adds a Broncos prospect to Big Blue’s roster.

Phillips may be one of the most overlooked prospects among cornerbacks, but Kiper does list him as the 10th best player at his position.

Over the past three seasons, Phillips has recorded 127 tackles, 35 passes defended, 12 interceptions, 13 tackles for a loss, four forced fumble, and has scored five defensive touchdowns.

Walter Football projects the Western Michigan prospect to be selected anywhere from the fourth to sixth-round. Phillips would also bring some much-needed competition to New York’s special teams as a potential kickoff and punt returner.

The Giants finished among the five worst teams in the NFL in 2017 in terms of return yards on both kickoffs and punts. Phillips scored six touchdowns on special teams during his collegiate career.

Sixth-Round – Wisconsin LB Jack Cichy

The Giants take their first big risk of the 2018 draft, selecting Wisconsin’s 6-foot-2, 234-pound linebacker.

Cichy missed his entire senior season after suffering a torn ACL during a preseason practice. There are some significant injury concerns surrounding the Badgers linebacker, and Big Blue could look to take his teammate Garret Dooley if he remains on the board at the start of the sixth-round.

Wisconsin has become a powerhouse for offensive linemen and linebackers. Cichy is looking to add his name to a long list of successful NFL players to come out of Madison.

Despite only logging 11 starts, Cichy accounted for 121 tackles, 15 tackles for a loss, 6.5 sacks, six passes defended, and two forced fumbles. There’s clearly a risk in selecting a player that has suffered back-to-back season-ending injuries, but in a year’s time, he could be viewed as a potential sixth-round steal.

The Giants may need to fill a void at outside linebacker if they are unable to retain Devon Kennard in free agency.

Cichy has the ability to play both outside and inside linebacker at the next level and would bring another pass rushing threat to Big Blue’s linebacking corps.

Seventh-Round – South Florida DE Mike Love

The Giants could go multiple routes with their last pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. New York may look to find an upgrade at kicker or add another interior defensive lineman, but adding another pass rusher sounds feasible given Gettleman’s team philosophy.

"“You got to run the ball. You got to stop the run. You got to pressure the passer. Everywhere I’ve been and with the great teams that I’ve been associated with – those were three very big staples.”"

Through three seasons in the AAC, Love recorded 64 tackles, 18.5 tackles for a loss, 8.5 sacks,  six passes defended, and one forced fumble. The 6-foot-4, 266-pound defensive end started 11 games in his senior year.

Campbell reports the Bulls defensive end “is going to ignite some third-day interest” due to his size and motor. Love clearly has upside potential and could greatly benefit from learning behind former South Florida star JPP.

Next: Matt Patricia Destined To Be Big Blue's Next Head Coach?