The NY Giants have many glaring needs on both sides of the ball, but might have two top-10 picks in the 2022 NFL Draft to fill them
If the 2021 NFL season ended today, there’s a very real possibility that the NY Giants would own a pair of picks in the top-10 selections of the 2022 NFL Draft next spring.
The Giants, of course, own their own selection, as well as the Chicago Bears’ first-round pick that was acquired in last spring’s trade back to No. 22 overall where New York selected wide receiver Kadarius Toney and the Bears moved up to select quarterback Justin Fields, out of Ohio State.
With games remaining against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Dallas Cowboys, and Los Angeles Chargers, among others, there’s a good chance that the NY Giants’ ideal scenario will come to pass.
Whether it is Dave Gettleman, or his successor, making the NY Giants’ selections in the draft this spring, New York might be able to add two blue-chip prospects to fill their biggest needs.
Clearly, entering this offseason, the NY Giants’ most glaring needs remain along the offensive line and at linebacker.
Who are the best fits for the NY Giants in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft?
In CBS Sports NFL Draft analyst Chris Trapasso’s latest 2022 NFL Mock Draft, the NY Giants plug both of those holes in the first round:
"No. 6: NY Giants: Ikem Ekwonu OT, NC STATEEkwonu has grown-man strength and has tackle/guard flexibility, perfect for the Giants."
By the time the 2022 regular season kicks off, the NY Giants must mine a bookend opposite promising second-round left tackle Andrew Thomas, who was playing some of his best football before landing on injured reserve last month.
Ekwonu is among the premier offensive tackle prospects in this year’s draft, and during the first month of the Wolfpack’s season produced a 93.7 overall grade from Pro Football Focus.
Ikem Ekwonu across 203 pass-block snaps this season
— PFF College (@PFF_College) October 4, 2021
♦ 3 QB pressures allowed
♦ 0 sacks
OT3 in the NFL Draft pic.twitter.com/dADDw5I4dB
"NY Giants No. 8 (via Chicago Bears): Nakobe Dean, LB, GEORGIADean keeps getting better, and seems faster across the line and in coverage every week."
Elite disruptive linebacker play has been a weakness for the NY Giants, as has a lack of a truly dominant pass-rush presence.
Dean would check both of those boxes.
Through the first two-plus months of the season, Dean has produced 4.5 sacks, forced a fumble, intercepted two passes, returning one for a touchdown, and produced an 87.3 overall grade from Pro Football Focus.
The NY Giants have shown a propensity for drafting Georgia payers (Thomas, DeAndre Baker, Lorenzo Carter, Azeez Ojulari), and Dean might have the chance to make the biggest impact of all.