Joe Schoen’s first NFL Draft as New York Giants general manager could set the foundation for the organization’s long overdue rebuild
With the 2022 NFL Draft being right around the corner, there are several players whom the New York Giants must target in each round.
Whether it be their fit with the team, talent, or position, the Giants must draft the correct players if they want to properly rebuild.
The first 3 rounds of the NFL Draft are usually the most important, as they generally hold the players with the highest potential. This draft is no different, as this year’s class is full of prospects with tons of potential.
Some of the New York Giants’ biggest needs, in terms of positions, are right tackle, edge, linebacker, left guard, etc.
There are plenty of holes on this team that must be filled if the New York Giants want to have a chance at being successful next season.
While some of these picks may not be realistic, as some of these players may be selected prior to the New York Giants’ pick, this three-round draft takes a look at the perfect scenario for the New York Giants in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Here are the perfect first 3 rounds for the New York Giants in the 2022 NFL Draft:
Round 1, pick No. 5: OT Evan Neal, Alabama
There is a very good chance that Evan Neal is selected 1st overall.
However, the best-case scenario in terms of offensive tackles in this year’s draft class is landing Alabama tackle Evan Neal.
Neal, in 15 games, gained a pass-blocking grade of 83.6, alongside a run-blocking grade of 80.4 per, PFF.
In addition to these grades, Neal also only allowed two sacks, five QB hits, and eight QB hurries in 650 pass-blocking snaps.
Whether it be his monstrous size (6-foot-7 and 337 pounds), his shocking athleticism, or his fantastic technique with both his hands and feet, there is so much to like about Evan Neal. I believe he is one of the very “sure-fire stars” of this year’s draft class.
If Neal is able to slip to the New York Giants at pick No. 5 it will be a dream come true.
To have a chance at pairing Neal with stud left tackle Andrew Thomas will set the team up with one of the best tackle duo’s in the NFL for the next decade.
Round 1, pick No. 7: EDGE Kayvon Thibodeaux, Oregon
With the poor performance of the New York Giants’ pass-rushing unit last season, which ranked 24th in sacks, 27th in QB knockdowns, and 24th in QB hurries, don’t be surprised if Schoen prioritizes adding elite edge rush talent, early in the draft.
The New York Giants must consider drafting a top-tier edge rusher to improve in this area.
If Kayvon Thibodeaux is available, he should be the New York Giants’ pick.
Thibodeaux is a truly special talent, having all the tools it takes to be an elite edge rusher in the NFL. However, for some rather questionable reasons, his stock has begun to fall a little bit, improving the chances of Thibodeaux falling to the NY Giants at pick 5 or 7.
In 11 games played this season, Thibodeaux tallied nine sacks, 11 QB hurries, 27 QB hurries, 45 combined tackles, 2 forced fumbles, and 12 tackles for loss. These numbers look even more impressive once you consider that Thibodeaux was dealing with an ankle injury for the majority of the season.
If the New York Giants are able to pair Kayvon Thibodeaux on the opposite side of the edge with Azeez Ojulair, they will likely have one of the best pass-rushing duo’s in the NFL for a long time to come.
Round 2, pick No. 36: OG Zion Johnson, Boston College
While there is a decent chance that Zion Johnson is selected in the first round by a contending team, if he manages to fall to the New York Giants in the second round, they should not hesitate to draft him.
Coming in at 6-foot-2 and 312 pounds, Johnson put on a clinic all season at Boston College this year, gaining a pass-blocking grade of 81.6, alongside a run-blocking grade of 84.4 per, PFF.
In addition to these grades, Zion Johnson only allowed 1 sack, 2 QB hits, and 3 QB hurries in 364 pass-blocking snaps.
Johnson is a first-round talent, however, due to positional needs for other teams, there is a good chance he falls to the New York Giants in the second round.
Whether it be his tremendous technique, fantastic run blocking, or somewhat surprising athleticism, Zion Johnson has a ridiculous amount of upside.
If the New York Giants are able to add a player like Zion Johnson to an offensive line that already features Andrew Thomas, Jon Feliciano, Mark Glowinski, and potentially Evan Neal, fans may be treated to an elite offensive line sooner rather than later.
Round 3, pick No. 67: LB Chad Muma, Wyoming
After Blake Martinez went down with a torn ACL early in the season, it quickly became clear just how lackluster the New York Giants’ linebacker core was.
Regardless of how poor the linebacker core played, the New York Giants have been in need of a star at the position for quite some time.
Chad Muma out of Wyoming has the potential to be that star.
In 13 games played this season, Muma tallied 148 tackles, three interceptions, eight tackles for loss, 17 QB hurries, and two sacks.
While these numbers look ridiculous, it is worth noting that the competition Muma played against was quite weak. However, watching him play shows just how great his potential is.
There are very few things that Chad Muma can’t do, he is a fantastic tackler, has great reaction time in defending the run game, alongside a fantastic IQ in both run and pass defense scenarios. These are things the NY Giants desperately needed at the linebacker position last season.
Gaining comparisons to Cowboys’ great Sean Lee, Muma has all the tools it takes to be a star in this league. If the NY Giants draft him and pair him next to Martinez, the New York Giants will have a deadly duo at the linebacker position.
Round 3, pick No. 81: S Kerby Joseph, Illinois
Potentially the perfect pick to close out the perfect New York Giants three-round NFL Draft scenario is Schoen landing Illinois safety Kerby Joseph.
In 11 games played this season, Kerby Joseph tallied 57 combined tackles, 5 interceptions, one sack, and 4 pass deflections. In addition to this, Joseph only allowed nine receptions on 19 targets for 134 yards and two touchdowns, gaining a pass coverage grade of 90.6 per, PFF.
As loved as Logan Ryan was during his time on the New York Giants, he sometimes struggled in pass coverage, this is something Kerby Joseph does best while also being a great run defender.
If the New York Giants are able to pair Kerby Joseph and Xavier McKinney in the secondary, they could very well be one of the best coverage duo’s in the NFL in terms of safeties.