2022 NFL Draft: Predicting New York Giants’ top 5 targets
Joe Schoen’s first NFL Draft as New York Giants GM is right around the corner, and New York could have its pick of blue-chip talent at key positions of need in Round 1
With the 2022 NFL Draft less than three weeks away, the New York Giants have been doing their due diligence in scouting potential prospects.
However, at the end of the day, there is a certain hierarchy in terms of prospects that the Giants are likely to go by for who they want to draft.
The New York Giants have holes at many key positions, most notably at right tackle, edge rushers, and left guard. While there are not any guards worth taking with the 5th or 7th picks in the first round, there are plenty of tackles and edge rushers who could come in and be instant impact players for the Giants
While the New York Giants have done a good job at diversifying their potential targets in this year’s draft by visiting and scouting a multitude of players at different positions, it is not hard to tell what positions they are in need of.
Here’s a look at who might be the New York Giants’ top-5 NFL Draft targets
Number 5: CB Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner – CB, Cincinnati
With the trade or release of James Bradberry seeming more and more likely each day, the New York Giants will need to look to replace the former Pro-Bowler.
One of the top NFL Draft prospects to potentially replace Bradberry is Ahmad Gardner out of Cincinnati.
Coming in at 6-foot-3 and 190 pounds, Ahmad Gardner had one of, if not the best seasons for a cornerback this year.
In 14 games played, Gardner only allowed 18 receptions on 37 targets for 122 yards, while also snagging three interceptions and deflecting 3 passes. In addition to this, Ahmad Gardner never allowed more than 20 receiving yards in a game this season, and has never allowed a TD in his college career.
There are a lot of things to like about Gardner, whether it be his size, speed, ability to play in both zone and man schemes, or ridiculous upside.
Gardner is a special talent that the New York Giants should heavily consider drafting if they get the chance