NFL Draft: New York Giants’ best tight end fits for Brian Daboll’s offense

Tight end could be a position the New York Giants prioritize during the NFL Draft, both because of the deep class at the position, and Brian Daboll’s success in the passing game

After Evan Engram signed as a free agent with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Kyle Rudolph and Kaden Smith were released, the New York Giants’ TE room is looking a little empty.

As of now, the only NFL-caliber TE on the roster is Ricky Seals-Jones, who the Giants recently acquired in free agency.

The combination of an empty tight end room and the New York Giants owning nine picks in the 2022 NFL Draft means it is likely that they will look to draft a tight end to replace the former Pro-Bowlers.

This year’s draft class is full of mid-round tight ends with tons of upside.

It is likely that the New York Giants look to draft a tight who fits the system that new head coach Brian Daboll will be bringing in.

This means a tight end with upside as both a blocker and receiver, like Dawson Knox and Charles Clay.

Here are some tight ends from this year’s draft class who best fit in Brian Daboll’s offense for the New York Giants

Isaiah Likely, Coastal Carolina:

Simply put, Isaiah Likely has the potential to be a superstar in this league.

Coming in at 6-foot-4 and 240 pounds, Isaiah Likely dominated all season long at Coastal Carolina, catching 59 passes for 912 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Something I’m sure New York Giants fans will be excited to hear is that in 77 targets, Likely only dropped one pass.

This is something the New York Giants have not been used to with Evan Engram as the starting tight end of the team the last five seasons.

Alongside his tremendous receiving ability, Isaiah Likely also has a ton of upside as a blocker. In 90 run-blocking snaps, Isaiah Likely gained a run-blocking grade of 75 per, PFF.

While he certainly has some things to work on in terms of his form while blocking, Isaiah Likely has shown a ton of effort while blocking and will likely look to improve once he reaches the pros.

As for where he fits in the New York Giants offense, Likely would probably be just a receiving threat for his first couple of years in the NFL. However, if he can improve upon his blocking, his upside as a complete TE will be elite.

Not only is Isaiah Likely an elite red-zone threat, but he is also a tremendous open-field runner.

This is something the New York Giants desperately need, as they have not had a dynamic weapon at TE since Evan Engram’s rookie season.