New York Giants’ ideal 7-round mock draft to jumpstart Joe Schoen’s rebuild
By David Solow
Round 2 (No. 36 overall): Travon Walker, EDGE, Georgia
Why would he be a good value for the NY Giants?
Walker is viewed by some draft scouts as a mid-first-round pick.
The versatile edge played defensive tackle his first two seasons for the Bulldogs. After losing 20 pounds, Walker has developed into a versatile and athletic edge player with the ideal size for the position.
Schoen selected two edge players at the top of recent drafts (Greg Rousseau and A.J. Epenesa) as part of the Buffalo Bills front office.
The 2022 NFL draft has an excellent group of edge rushers, and it is likely a first-round talent at the position will fall into the New York Giants’ laps at 36. Walker would be a steal for the Giants in the second round, and he would fill a position on a roster that has Azeez Ojulari and little else at the edge position.
How would he fit on the 2022 Giants roster?
Schoen and the Buffalo Bills have had the attitude, “you can never have enough pass rushers.”
It is an attitude the New York Giants used to have when they were winning Super Bowls.
If Lorenzo Carter (who finished the 2021 season strong after recovering from a torn Achilles) is brought back in 2022, Walker could slide in as the 3rd Edge and play on all pass-rushing downs.
New York Giants defensive coordinator Wink Martindale could use Walker all over the defensive front.
Walker is great at pass rushing from the interior of the defensive line, but he also has experience dropping back into coverage. That being said, Walker’s length and power would be most valuable rushing the passer from the outside and setting the edge in the run game, two areas where the Giants struggled mightily in 2021.
NFL Comparison: Justin Tuck
Walker, like Tuck, is extremely effective against the run.
Walker can dominate with size from the edge and win with quickness when lined up in the interior like Tuck used to. Walker had five sacks for a stacked Georgia Bulldogs defense, but the former five-star recruit needs to reach his full potential to reach the level of Justin Tuck. I think he has the same kind of ability.