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New York Giants 7-round mock draft: Following Joe Schoen, Brian Daboll’s Bills playbook

By Desmond Novack

ATHENS, GA - OCTOBER 02: Nakobe Dean #17 of the Georgia Bulldogs reacts in the second half against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Sanford Stadium on October 2, 2021 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
ATHENS, GA - OCTOBER 02: Nakobe Dean #17 of the Georgia Bulldogs reacts in the second half against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Sanford Stadium on October 2, 2021 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) /
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New York Giants
New York Giants General Manager Joe Schoen (Image via The Record) /

During their time with the Buffalo Bills, New York Giants GM Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll have followed a playbook during the NFL Draft to build a contender

The New York Giants hired Joe Schoen as general manager and Brian Daboll as head coach, importing a philosophy of building a championship contender, as the duo were instrumental in the Buffalo Bills’ success in recent years.

will see a completely different strategy in terms of drafting, this means drafting positions of need instead of the best player available.

Each of the past five seasons, the Bills have used at least one pick in the first two rounds of the NFL Draft along the offensive or defensive lines.

Given that the New York Giants likely need to add four new starters along the offensive line in front of Daniel Jones and Saquon Barkley, might Daboll and Schoen import their playbook?

The Giants own the No. 5 and No. 7 overall picks in this year’s draft, and with this year’s draft being full of offensive lineman and edge rushers, two positions of need, there is a very good chance Schoen decides to go with either position with both picks.

In total, the New York Giants own 9 picks in this years draft, this is where they sit:

First round: No. 5 and No. 7 (Via. Chicago Bears)

Second round: No. 36

Third round: No. 67 and No. 81  (Via. Miami Dolphins) 

Fourth round: No. 108

Fifth round: No. 145 and No. 173 (Via. Kansas City Chiefs)

Sixth round: No. 181 

(The NY Giants do not own a 7th round pick) 

Here is a full 7 round mock draft that is tailored towards the pedigree of Joe Schoen and Brian Daboll:

Round 1, pick No. 5: OL Ikem Ekwonu, North Carolina State

With it seeming more and more likely that top prospect Evan Neal will be selected before the New York Giants’ pick, it makes the most sense to take the next best offensive line prospect in Ikem Ekwonu.

Ikem Ekwonu is 6-foot-4 and 320 pounds, and during his time at NC State made a name for himself as one of the best run-blocking tackles in the entire country with a run-blocking grade of 93.8, per PFF.

Using his elite strength and technique, Ekwonu mauls opposing defenders on almost every play in the run game, and with the NY Giants in need of a top-tier run blocker for Saquon Barkley, Ekwonu feels like a perfect fit.

Ekwonu is also a great pass blocker, only allowing 3 sacks and 10 QB hurries in 500 pass-blocking snaps, gaining a pass-blocking grade of 78.3, per PFF.

Versatility could boost Ekwonu’s draft stock, because of his potential to shift over to the guard, as that is his best position for his skill set and build, however, if the New York Giants draft him fifth overall it would be better to keep him at tackle unless they want risk-taking another tackle in the later rounds.

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