New York Giants 7-round mock draft 4.0, post-free agency

The New York Giants are stretching their 2018 cap space under new general manager Dave Gettleman.

Big Blue has less than $5 million in cap space for the upcoming season after signing free agents Nate Solder, Kareem Martin, Patrick Omameh, Jonathan Stewart, Cody Latimer, and Michael Thomas.

The G-Men will need close to $10 million to sign their incoming draft class, according to Over the Cap. Gettleman will have options to clear space. Veteran receiver Brandon Marshall likely remains on the chopping block. Cutting Marshall would save over $5 million in cap space, but he must first pass his physical after spending most of last season on injured reserve.

Big Blue’s newly appointed general manager has also cleared space for the future by trading veteran defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. But the move won’t help Big Blue in 2018, as the G-Men are still left with $15 million in dead cap space this upcoming season.

Despite the trade of JPP, the Giants look to be aiming to win now. The acquisition of Alec Ogletree and signing of Nate Solder shows the franchise’s intent for a quick turnaround. And the addition of a former second-team All-Pro linebacker and cornerstone left tackle displays the ideological change in front office philosophies.

Linebacker and offensive line were an afterthought during the Jerry Reese era. The Giants are clearly putting a bigger emphasis on winning in the trenches and plan to take the pressure off veteran quarterback Eli Manning with a viable ground game.

New York’s draft options remain wide open after free agency. What they will do with the No. 2 overall pick is anyone’s guess. But if they are building to win now, this mock draft could lead to a quick turnaround for the franchise.

Trade Alert! – Giants Trade No. 2 Pick To Buffalo Bills

In GMEN HQ’s Mock Draft 1.0 the Giants sent the No. 2 overall pick to the New York Jets. Plenty has changed since then. Gang Green has since moved up to the No. 3 overall pick through a trade with the Indianapolis Colts. Draft prospects have watched their stock rise and fall through the Senior Bowl, NFL Scouting Combine, and pro days.

What hasn’t changed is Buffalo’s need for a quarterback. In this trade scenario, the Bills send Big Blue the 12th, 22nd, 53rd, and the 65th pick in the upcoming draft for the No. 2 overall pick.

Of course, for this trade to happen New York must believe Manning has at least two-to-three years left. Pat Shurmur and Gettleman must also believe Davis Webb is capable of being Manning’s potential successor, as the opportunity to take a quarterback with a top three pick doesn’t come along often.

By trading back the Giants will be able to address multiple needs. The Giants need to weigh the value of the No. 2 overall pick. If they are not in “love” with a quarterback, trading back may be the smartest option.

Saquon Barkley and Quenton Nelson may be the safest draft selections for the Giants. New York can also find starters at both positions at any point of the first three rounds. The year’s class is stacked with talent at the guard and running back positions.

So while trading back may not be the most exciting move, it could prove to be a smart decision should Gettleman not “love” a particular quarterback prospect.

With the 12th pick in the 2018 NFL Draft the New York Giants select…

No. 12 – UTSA EDGE Marcus Davenport

The Giants technically have their starting outside linebackers in Olivier Vernon and Kareem Martin, but a lack of depth on the edge clearly hindered Big Blue’s defense in 2017.

The Giants relied on Vernon and Pierre-Paul too much last season and need to put a bigger emphasis on getting after the quarterback this upcoming season. That’s already expected to happen under new defensive coordinator James Bettcher, and the addition of Marcus Davenport will only elevate New York’s pass rush to another level.

With Davenport, Vernon, Martin, and Avery Moss the Giants will have four legitimate starting outside linebackers. Davenport is an unfinished product coming out of UTSA, but he showed at the Senior Bowl why he is one of the top edge rushers in this year’s draft.

At 6-foot-6, 264-pounds, Davenport would fit perfectly in Bettcher’s defense as 3-4 outside linebacker. But he also has the ability to lineup a 4-3 defensive end when needed, making him a valuable asset for New York’s defensive coordinator.

Through four seasons in Conference USA, Davenport racked up 37.5 tackles for a loss, 21.5 sacks, six forced fumbles, and eight passes defended. Similar to JPP coming out of South Florida, Davenport is a raw talent with tremendous upside potential at the next level.

No. 22 – UTEP OG Will Hernandez

Many Giants fans may be disappointed to miss out on Nelson by trading back. That will quickly fade if Big Blue lands Will Hernandez with the 22nd overall pick.

The 6-foot-2, 348-pound guard is the definition of a Hog Molly. He has the strength, footwork, and athleticism to immediately start at the next level. His biggest weakness is his height and arm length but that won’t stop him from finding early success.

Hernandez has drawn comparisons with Buffalo Bills four-time Pro Bowler Richie Incognito. One NFC Scout explains what teams will be getting in UTEP’s former second-team All-American, via NFL Network.

"“He’s exactly what you are looking for in terms of his work ethic and how much he loves the game. He will clique instantly in the offensive line room and he will be one of the strongest and toughest guys on the team as soon as he makes the roster. The only thing that scares me are those short arms."

The Giants could plug Hernandez into the starting left guard position, placing him next to Solder. The addition would instantly improve New York’s ground game and pass protection.

Trading back allows Big Blue the opportunity to add multiple impact players to positions of need. The selections of Davenport and Hernandez would be a good start to Gettleman’s first draft as New York’s general manager.

No. 34 – LSU RB Derrius Guice

The Giants have been missing a physical presence in their backfield since the departure of Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs. Over the past four years, former general manager Jerry Reese had selected three different running backs.

Former fourth-round pick Andre Williams is no longer with the team, and neither Paul Perkins nor Wayne Gallman have proven themselves three-down backs at the next level. As of right now, Gallman is projected to be the team’s starter in 2018, but that could quickly change by the end of the month.

The addition of Derrius Guice gives Big Blue that much-needed physical presence. The 5-foot-10, 212-pound prospect is considered the second best tailback in this year’s class, trailing only Barkley.

He has great vision and power and has drawn comparisons with Marshawn Lynch. NFL Network’s Bucky Brooks and Charles Davis both have Guice falling to the second-round in their respective mock drafts.

Guice’s biggest question mark coming out of LSU is his ability to catch passes out of the backfield. Through three seasons in Baton Rouge, he amassed 3,074 rushing yards, 250 receiving yards, and scored 32 touchdowns.

Guice and Gallman could give Big Blue their best one-two punch since Jacobs and Bradshaw. Both could flourish behind a revamped offensive line, which is centered around Solder and Hernandez.

With Guice, Gallman, Odell Beckham Jr., Sterling Shepard, and Evan Engram, the Giants will be stacked with talent at their skill positions. At the same time, it won’t force them to abandon their offensive line, as they’ve done in the past.

No. 53 – LSU CB Donte Jackson

The Giants need to add at least one cornerback in the upcoming draft. By selecting Donte Jackson with the 53rd pick, they potentially fill two holes with one selection.

Gettleman and Shurmur have given Eli Apple “a clean slate” moving forward, but that doesn’t mean they won’t bring in competition. The G-Men also have a significant need at slot cornerback. Jackson has the ability to challenge both Apple for the No. 2 cornerback role and can be the team’s starting slot corner come Week 1.

At 5-foot-10, 178-pounds, Jackson lacks the ideal height and length to be a first-round pick, but that may work out perfectly for the Giants. Pro Football Focus lists him as the fourth best cornerback in this year’s class. He improved his play with each season in Baton Rouge.

Jackson recorded 110 tackles, 19 passes defended, and four interceptions in three seasons at LSU. He was voted second-team all-conference by SEC coaches this past season.

Jackson has elite speed, tying Denzel Ward and Parry Nickerson for the fastest 40-yard dash time (4.32) at the NFL Scouting Combine. He has proven he can play both the slot and on the outside at the collegiate level and would make a nice addition to Big Blue’s secondary.

At the very least, the Giants would have Janoris Jenkins, Apple, and Jackson as their top three cornerbacks entering the 2018 season.

No. 65 – Alabama DE Da’Shawn Hand

The Giants have already added four potential Week 1 starters with their first four picks and add another at the start of the third-round with Da’Shawn Hand.

Right now, Dalvin Tomlinson and Josh Mauro are slated to be New York’s starting defensive ends in 2018. The only problem with that is Mauro is suspended for the team’s first four games. Selecting Hand gives Big Blue a potential starting 3-4 defensive end for Week 1 and a prospect with a high ceiling at the next level.

The selection would reunite Tomlinson, Hand, and Landon Collins. Hand and Tomlinson won a National Championship together in 2015. Collins was a junior during Hand’s freshman season in Tuscaloosa.

The 6-foot-4, 297-pound defensive end was unable to live up to his high expectations coming out of high school. He amassed 14.5 tackles for a loss, nine sacks, and one forced fumble over four years.

Placing Hand next to Damon Harrison and Tomlinson would give New York a formidable three-man front. Having Davenport, Vernon, Martin, and Moss coming off the edge should only make their jobs easier.

The G-Men clearly need to add another 3-4 defensive end following Mauro’s suspension. Hand could be an ideal fit if available at the start of the third-round. B.J. Hill and Rasheem Green are two other potential prospects that could fill the void in the middle rounds.

No. 66 – Western Michigan OT Chukwuma Okorafor

The Giants are moving Ereck Flowers to right tackle after signing Solder. There’s no guarantee he will earn the starting role in 2018.

Gettleman seems unlikely to pick up Flowers’ fifth-year option on his rookie contract this offseason, making it a priority to add an offensive tackle at some point of the draft.

Right now, Flowers’ competition for the starting right tackle position is Chad Wheeler and Adam Bisnowaty. Adding Chukwuma Okorafor to the competition should only make New York’s offensive line better.

The 6-foot-6, 320-pound offensive tackle is far from a finished product. He has experience playing both left and right tackle at the collegiate level and earned first-team All-MAC honors in both 2016 and 2017.

Okorafor has drawn comparisons with Tampa Bay Buccaneers starting left tackle Donovan Smith, but one NFC executive is concerned with his development, via NFL Network.

"“He got started in football a little late but I still think he should have some of these issues cleaned up by now. He’s big and he has talent so he’s probably going to play early on.”"

Tyrell Crosby and Martinas Rankin are two other options that could be available at the start of the third-round. But Okorafor arguably has the highest ceiling among the second tier of offensive tackles.

This selection not only adds some much-needed competition, it also plans for life after Flowers.

No. 69 – Auburn OG Braden Smith

When the Giants decide to transition to another quarterback in the future, one thing will be certain. Their offensive line will be much better.

The Giants found a solution at left guard with Hernandez in the first-round, and now bring in competition for John Jerry at right guard with Braden Smith. Big Blue has done little to address their interior offensive line this offseason.

Losing Justin Pugh and Weston Richburg, while signing Omameh should not be considered an improvement. The Giants have also restructured Jerry’s contract so that he is an unrestricted free agent in 2019, which only makes it more important to bolster the interior offensive line this offseason.

Smith has the potential to be a steal in the mid-rounds. He has drawn comparisons with Cleveland Browns starting guard Kevin Zeitler and earned Pro Football Focus’ third-highest grade of any guard in the upcoming draft.

Smith started 41 consecutive games at Auburn and was named a first-team All-American in 2017.

With Solder at left tackle, Hernandez at left guard, Brett Jones at center, Smith at right guard, and either Flowers or Okorafor at right tackle, Big Blue’s offensive line all of a sudden looks formidable.

Combine that with Guice and Gallman in the backfield and OBJ, Shepard, and Engram on the outside, the Giants arguably could have their best offense since 2008.

No. 108 – South Carolina State LB Darius Leonard

The Giants have already upgraded their linebacking corps with the acquisition of Ogletree, but there are still questions to answer.

B.J. Goodson is currently slated to start alongside Ogletree at inside linebacker. Big Blue’s former fourth-round pick was limited to just seven games in his second season due to an ankle injury.

The Giants need to add competition to the inside linebacker position, and Darius Leonard has the potential to be a steal in the fourth-round. The back-to-back MEAC Defensive Player of the Year racked up 238 tackles, 26.5 tackles for a loss, 12 sacks, and four interceptions over the last two seasons.

He has drawn comparisons with Tennessee Titans inside linebacker Wesley Woodyard and Jacksonville Jaguars weak-side linebacker Telvin Smith.

Placing Leonard next to Ogletree could give New York a dynamic-duo at inside linebacker. Bleacher Report’s Matt Miller has Leonard falling to the Indianapolis Colts at No. 104 in his post-Combine mock draft. NFL Network’s Chad Reuter has the Minnesota Vikings selecting the South Carolina State prospect at the end of round three (No. 94).

If Leonard falls to the Giants in the fourth-round, he could be a perfect fit for Bettcher’s defense as an inside linebacker.

No. 139 – Michigan C Mason Cole

The Giants have multiple options with their last pick in the draft. They could trade back for more picks. Gettleman could also add another defensive lineman or cornerback. Finding a long-term option at center could also be in play.

The Giants placed a second-round tender on center Brett Jones this offseason. The former CFL All-Star will be able to test free agency in 2019, making it important to have a backup plan in place.

Jones is the only center currently listed on New York’s roster. With the addition of Mason Cole, the Giants get some much-needed competition at the center position and a replacement option should Jones leave in free agency next offseason.

The 6-foot-4, 307-pound offensive lineman started 51 consecutive games at Michigan. He has experience at both center and left tackle and has drawn comparisons with Tampa Bay Buccaneers center Ryan Jensen.

Next: Big Blue's Top 10 Needs After FA Signings, Trades

Should the Giants move on from Flowers, Jones, and Jerry after 2018, this mock draft provides them a blueprint for the future.

The Giants could also look to target punter Michael Dickson with their last pick in the draft. Adding a potential long-term starter at center likely makes more sense.