Daniel Jeremiah’s mock draft includes two New York Giants surprise picks

NFL Network NFL Draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah has the New York Giants making a pair of surprising choices with their pair of top-10 NFL Draft picks

NFL Network analyst and former NFL executive Daniel Jeremiah released his latest mock draft Tuesday, including a pair of surprise selections in the first-round for the New York Giants.

This of course is a pivotal draft for the Giants, with a pair of top-10 selections as they begin the offseason upwards of $12 million over the cap.

Many have projected new general manager Joe Schoen to fortify the offensive line and perhaps add one of the premiere edge rushers in this class with the New York Giants’ first two picks.

However, Jeremiah went in a different direction:

"No. 5 – New York Giants, Travon Walker, edge, GeorgiaWalker is a unique talent because of his size, athleticism, and versatility. The Giants need playmakers on defense."

There’s certainly no arguing with Jeremiah’s final point. Especially after the New York Giants finished last season as the NFL’s No. 21 ranked defense while surrendering 354.8 yards and 24.5 points per game.

Walker, 6-foot-5 and 276 pounds, produced six sacks and 37 total tackles last season.

Rather than fortifying the line in front of quarterback Daniel Jones and running back Saquon Barkley, Jeremiah has the New York Giants adding yet another weapon with their second first-round pick:

"No. 7 – New York Giants, Drake London, WR, USCThe Giants seem very committed to giving Daniel Jones a fair evaluation in 2022. London has inside/outside versatility and he’ll be a monster in the red zone."

In a vacuum, the New York Giants adding a playmaker like London makes some sense.

The 6-foot-5 and 210 pound USC product has the ideal frame to become one of Jones’ favorite targets in the red zone, and caught 88 passes for 1,084 yards and seven touchdowns for the Trojan last season.

Given the uncertainty surrounding wide receiver Sterling Shepard’s future, combined with Kenny Golladay’s disappointing first season in East Rutherford, and the Giants’ woes inside the 20-yard line the past two seasons, a playmaker like London could elevate New York’s offense.

Would Daniel Jeremiah’s selections fill New York Giants’ pressing needs?

However, Jeremiah has the New York Giants passing on the likes of Oregon pass-rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux, Purdue edge rusher George Karlaftis, and LSU cornerback Derek Stingley Jr., who all could fill immediate pressing needs and provide high value from a top-10 selection.

Hitting on both of these selections could prove paramount to Schoen’s chances of turning the  Giants’ fortunes around.