New York Giants draft: 10 players Joe Schoen, Brian Daboll should target

The New York Giants, in their first NFL Draft led by new general manager Joe Schoen and Brian Daboll have nine total picks, including two first-rounders to transform the roster

A new chapter has begun for the New York Giants.

Headlined by the recent hiring of general manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll, this Giants franchise is embarking on a significant change.

The upcoming draft will play a vital role in how the 2022 season will play out for the New York Giants. The players that the NY Giants add will be expected to make an impact come day one.

There are multiple ways that the team could choose to attack the draft.

While it is widely believed that they will address the offensive line with the fifth overall pick, what they choose to do with the seventh selection is completely up in the air.

Trading the pick could be a viable option. During Schoen’s time as the assistant general manager with the Buffalo Bills, the team was active with trading draft picks.

Schoen and Daboll choosing to move back from the seventh pick to allocate future picks, while potentially still picking again in the first round could be a real possibility. This could also happen due to how deep this draft class is, specifically in areas such as the offensive line and defensive line.

This could lead to the New York Giants not only being linked with several top draft picks, but also with some prospects who will go later in the first round, or who potentially slide to day two.

10 NFL Draft prospects that the New York Giants’ new regime should target

Ikem Ekwonu, OT NC State

NC State offensive lineman Ikem Ekwonu could very well be at the top of the New York Giants big board heading into the 2022 draft. Ekwonu has proven to be one of the best  lineman in this year’s class.

Over the past college season, Ekwonu played solely left tackle. He recorded 819 total snaps and finished with a PFF grade of 91.6. His 2020 season played out differently. Ekwonu played significant time at both guard and tackle. He recorded 586 snaps at left tackle and 239 at left guard.

With Andrew Thomas locked in as the Giants left tackle of the future, Ekwonu will have to permanently move to another spot on the line. With his previous experience at left guard, him playing alongside Thomas would not be out of the question.

A shift to right tackle, a position he played just one snap at in college, could also be a possibility. With the possible release of Nate Solder, the Giants will have a gap at that spot. Ekwonu could be just the player to help fill it.