NFL Draft 2022: New York Giants should select 2 offensive lineman in first round

Charles Cross #67 of the Mississippi State Bulldogs (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
Charles Cross #67 of the Mississippi State Bulldogs (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /
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The New York Giants’ offensive line continued to be one of the roster’s weakest links in 2021, but new general manager Joe Schoen has the resources to fix it in this year’s draft

The New York Giants own the 5th and 7th overall picks in the 2022 NFL Draft, and with this draft class being full of talented offensive linemen, alongside the Giants currently having one of the worst offensive lines in the entire NFL, it makes sense for them to consider drafting offensive linemen with both of those picks.

With star-studded names like Ikem Ekwonu, Tyler Linderbaum, Charles Cross, Kenyon Green, etc. likely being available when the NY Giants make their selections, they should heavily consider drafting at least two of these players.

As of right now the New York Giants only have one position on the offensive line locked in for next season, this being at left tackle with Andrew Thomas, who broke out as one of the best tackles in the NFL this season.

This combination of draft talent and lack of talent on the New York Giants offensive line creates a perfect combination that could lead to New York drafting two offensive linemen with the 5th and 7th overall picks.

Here is why the New York Giants should select two offensive linemen in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft:

The New York Giants just finished a season in which they had one of, if not the worst offensive lines in the entire NFL, making games truly painful to watch. When you consider this, alongside how deep this draft class is in terms of offensive lineman, it makes almost too much sense to draft two offensive lineman with the 5th and 7th overall picks.

According to PFF, the New York Giants’ offensive line ranked 30th in the entire NFL, with only one starting offensive lineman obtaining a grade above a 63 in Thomas.

Another glaring issue with the current NY Giants offensive line is the fact that most of the current players on this already awful line are on expiring contracts, with Nate Solder, Will Hernandez, and Billy Price all likely not returning to the team.

When you consider the NY Giants potential cap space issues, it makes a lot of sense to attempt to build the line through the draft as opposed to spending big money on an aging free agent, and with their being potential superstars in Tyler Linderbaum and Ikem Ekwonu in this year’s draft class, the NY Giants must consider drafting both of them if they are available.

While it may be a better idea to trade down from the 7th pick to select a player like Linderbaum, outright drafting him at 7 may not be the worst idea in the world, especially if the NY Giants cannot make a trade.

If the NY Giants can draft the correct players, they will have the chance to be successful next season, as the poor offensive line was one of the biggest downfalls of the team.

Not only will the New York Giants have the potential to create an elite offensive line next year, but these players will be rookies, if they pan out the NY Giants could have one of the better offensive lines in the entire NFL for years to come.

To keep it simple, the New York Giants should heavily consider drafting two offensive linemen in the first round, whether they trade back or take guys at 5 and 7, it should be done. Not only will the NY Giants have a chance to build a potentially elite offensive line for many years to come, but it will also fit the teams time line better than if they were to sign free agents.

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