2022 NFL Draft: Why the NY Giants should trade back in the first round
The New York Giants currently own nine picks in next month’s NFL Draft, but could add assets to help rebuild the roster by trading back in the first round
Last year the New York Giants held the No. 11 pick in the NFL Draft, however, on draft night they decided to trade this pick to the Chicago bears for the 20th pick, a fifth-round pick that year, the Bears 2022 first-round selection, and a fourth-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Thanks to this trade, the Giants now hold the No. 5 and No. 7 picks in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft, with the 7th pick originally belonging to the Bears.
After looking at how well the trade last year worked out for the NY Giants, it made me think that they should consider the same type of trade again this year.
While the number one factor in the Chicago Bears pulling this trade off was that they wanted to select potential franchise QB Justin Fields, there may be a team who is just as desperate for a player, whether it is a QB or not.
Here is why the NY Giants should trade back in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft:
The ideal situation for the New York Giants is to select the top tackle available 5th overall, then either take a top edge rusher or defensive player depending on who is available.
However, if the New York Giants truly want to rebuild their offensive line, it may be a good idea to trade back into the high-teens/early-twenties in order to select a potential superstar on the offensive line in Tyler Linderbaum.
Linderbaum is a player who has the potential to be one of the best offensive linemen in the entire NFL right out of the gate. However, due to positional value, there is a good chance Linderbaum falls into the late-teens to early-twenties.
So not only can the NY Giants select a potential superstar that fits a team need by trading back, they can also gain more draft capital, whether it be this for this year’s draft, or next.
Whether it be his unreal ability blocking in the second level, his inhumane speed for his size, or incredible strength, Tyler Linderbaum is a truly special talent, and his immense potential makes him one of the premier offensive linemen in the entire draft class.
Trading back to select Linderbaum would be one of the best things the New York Giants could do in this year’s draft, as not only would it help out their offensive line rebuild a ton, it would also secure future draft assets.
If the New York Giants can secure a top tackle in the draft class like Ikem Ekwonu, or Charles Cross, then select Linderbaum later in the round, their offensive line would improve drastically.
The only way this kind of move could prove a mistake is if a top edge rusher like Kayvon Thibodeaux or Aidan Hutchinson slips all the way to seven, as in my opinion, the edge rusher is the second biggest position of need besides the offensive line.
If neither of these top edge rushers are available at pick no. 7, it may be in the NY Giants’ best interests to attempt to trade back and select Linderbaum.