The New York Giants could look to move back in the NFL Draft, but also have plenty of needs to fill on the roster, a look at the top prospects who might fill them
General manager Joe Schoen told reporters in Indianapolis that the New York Giants are open for business.
As Schoen, who is undertaking a long-overdue rebuild of a roster largely bereft of star players, should be.
Following the Atlanta Falcons’ decision to trade quarterback Matt Ryan to the Indianapolis Colts, there’s a very legitimate chance that general manager Terry Fontenot will look to either Liberty’s Malik Willis or Pitt’s Kenny Pickett to replace the franchise icon.
However, if the Falcons truly want their pick of the top-two quarterbacks in this year’s class, Fontenot and Atlanta will likely need to jump ahead of their division rivals, the Carolina Panthers, who are equally needy at quarterback.
Enter, the Giants, whom Peter King suggested this week are open to moving back in this year’s draft.
In this latest New York Giants’ seven-round mock draft projection, Schoen pulls off a blockbuster with the Falcons, acquiring the No. 8 overall pick in this year’s draft, Atlanta’s first-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, along with the No. 58 overall pick in the second round this year, in exchange for picks No. 5 and No. 67 overall.
Here is our latest New York Giants’ 7-round mock draft projection, following the trade:
Round 1, pick No. 7: Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State
Cross is viewed among the premier offensive tackle’s in this year’s class, with the skill-set to be an immediate plug-and-play starter at left tackle in the NFL.
For the New York Giants, presuming Cross can transition to right tackle, he could be an ideal bookend opposite Andrew Thomas. Especially given that Brian Daboll’s passing game attacks both sides of the field almost equally, and given the Giants’ colossal struggles keeping quarterback Daniel Jones upright in recent years.
Cross, 6-foot-5 and 310 pounds, only allowed 16 pressures in 719 pass-blocking snaps this season, according to Pro Football Focus, including not allowing a single pressure in the Bulldogs’ 2021 clash against Alabama.
It’s little wonder that the Giants had a strong presence at Cross’ workout during Mississippi State’s Pro Day.
Adding Cross to the offensive line could be a foundational centerpiece to the Giants’ overdue rebuild.
Round 1, pick No. 8: George Karlaftis, EDGE, Purdue
The New York Giants desperately need to bolster its stable of edge rushers, and George Karlaftis has the ability to step in as an immediate high-impact starter.
Karlaftis’ elite straight-line speed made him one of the Big Ten’s more disruptive pass-rushers over the past two seasons, and his vast repertoire of rush-moves has him positioned to be one of the first players chosen at the position next month.
Last season, Karlaftis produced 36 total tackles with 4.5 sacks and two forced fumbles as one of Purdue’s most dominant defenders.
Adding Karlaftis opposite Azeez Ojulari would be a solid start for Schoen, when it comes to accumulating edge rushers to a defense that will want to consistently get after the quarterback using exotic blitz packages under new coordinator Don “Wink” Martindale.
Round 2, pick No. 36: Jaquan Brisker, S, Penn State
Jaquan Brisker is one of the more versatile safeties in this year’s draft class and has shown an ability not just to be a playmaker in coverage, but a legitimate weapon rushing the passer and in run-support near the line of scrimmage.
That sort of skill-set wouldn’t just make Brisker an ideal complement to the Giants’ young ballhawk, Xavier McKinney, but potentially a perfect fit for how Martindale deploys his safeties.
During Penn State’s pro day this week, Brisker ran the 40-yard dash in 4.40 seconds at 6-foot-1 and 200 pounds.
One of the Nittany Lions‘ most respected leaders, Brisker does an outstanding job of making diagnosing and reacting to plays and is an asset in run-support.
Last season, Brisker produced 63 total tackles, with two interceptions, five pass breakups, and one forced fumble.
Continuing to collect playmakers on defense would be a wise decision for Schoen and the Giants.
Round 2, pick No. 58 (via Atlanta Falcons): Brian Asamoah, LB, Oklahoma
The New York Giants reworked veteran linebacker Blake Martinez’s contract earlier this offseason, but could be eyeing the NFL Draft for a young player to pair alongside him in the middle of Martindale’s defense.
Asamoah has incredible instincts, and closing speed on the football, which could make him a tackles and tackle-for-loss machine at the next level.
Last season, Asamoah produced 80 total tackles, along with one sack and two forced fumbles.
In addition to being the kind of linebacker who can pick up running backs and tight ends in coverage, Asamoah brings the added benefit of being one of the Sooners’ special teams standouts, and could make an immediate impact in that role for the Giants.
Round 3, pick No. 81: James Cook, RB, Georgia
James Cook is certainly a prospect to watch for the New York Giants.
League sources tell FanSided the Giants “love” Cook, who could wind up as a backfield complement to Saquon Barkley, similar to how the Dallas Cowboys use Tony Pollard, or ultimately a more cost-effective replacement.
Cook, 5-foot-11 and 190 pounds, rushed for 728 yards and seven touchdowns, while averaging 6.4 yards per carry as a senior for the National Champion Bulldogs last season.
“The thing I like about him is he’s a solid change-of-pace guy,” an NFC Executive tells FanSided, on the condition of anonymity because he isn’t authorized to speak publicly on prospects. “He may not be a three-down back, but he runs hard and has a lot of talent.”
Joe Schoen certainly has learned the importance of positional value, and won’t risk over-drafting a running back, but there’s a chance Cook is the Best Player Available at this spot.
If the Giants are truly all in on evaluating Daniel Jones this season, and considering moving off Barkley either via trade this offseason or not extending his rookie contract, it would make a lot of sense to drop Cook into the offense this season.
Round 4, pick No. 112: Josh Jobe, CB, Alabama
The New York Giants very well might move on from James Bradberry at some point this offseason, both to create cap space as well as continue accumulating assets in the draft. If that happens, cornerback becomes an even more pressing need.
Jobe, 5-foot-11 and 188 pounds, is an aggressive ballhawk whose riverboat gambling style in coverage leads to some boom-or-bust opportunities, which could cause him to slip. However, his athleticism and big-play ability might be exactly what the Giants need in the secondary.
Last season, Jobe finished with 38 tackles, a pair of interceptions, and four pass breakups.
In the right scheme, and with high quality NFL coaching, Jobe has the potential to be a starter at the next level.
Round 5, pick No. 147: Derrick Deese, TE, San Jose State
After Evan Engram signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars in free agency, the New York Giants added Ricky Seals-Jones, but it is difficult to envision New York entering the season with its tight end room as currently constructed.
Deese, 6-foot-4 and 235 pounds, is exactly the kind of big-bodied red-zone target that the Giants’ offense has sorely been missing in recent years.
Unlike Engram, who was primarily a receiver, Deese excels as an in-line blocker, which could hold the key to unlocking the Giants’ wildly inconsistent running game. But, he also has played wide receiver earlier in his football career, which really rounds out his skill-set.
Last season, Deese caught 47 passes for 430 yards and four touchdowns, while averaging 15.5 yards per reception.
Deese’s ability as a blocker and reliability in the passing game could give him the upside of replicating Dawson Knox’ production in Daboll’s scheme with the Buffalo Bills.
Round 5, pick No. 173: Kevin Austin Jr., WR, Notre Dame
The New York Giants chose speedy wide receiver Kadarius Toney No. 20 overall last spring, and could add another speedster at wide receiver in this year’s draft.
Austin was one of the more impressive performers at the NFL Combine last month, and could be rising up draft boards as the draft approaches, though he may just be exactly the kind of receiver the Giants need.
Speed and explosiveness are hallmarks of Austin’s game, and he was a focal point of Notre Dame’s aerial attack last season, averaging 18.5 yards per reception and catching seven touchdown passes.
If the New York Giants’ goal is to surround Jones with dynamic playmakers, Austin should rank fairly high on their boards.
Round 6, pick No. 182: Luke Wattenberg, C, Washington
Nick Gates’ future is uncertain, Jon Feliciano — signed as a free agent earlier this offseason, isn’t the long-term solution, and the New York Giants are in dire need of quality depth along the offensive line.
Luke Wattenberg could be a solid developmental prospect and perhaps even the Giants’ center of the future.
Wattenberg was one of the standout performers from the East-West Shrine Game early in the pre-draft process, following an impressive season anchoring the Huskies’ offensive line.
A five-year starter for Washington, Wattenberg produced a 72.7 overall grade from Pro Football Focus in 2021, and is exactly the kind of consistent athlete the Giants could use up front.