If the New York Giants are able to come out of the 2022 NFL Draft with the top prospects at two of their biggest positions of need, it would be a resounding success
The 2022 NFL Draft has the potential to be transformational for the New York Giants.
New Giants general manager Joe Schoen is armed with a pair of top-10 picks, slated to pick No. 5 and No. 7 overall.
However, the New York Giants could wind up trading at least one of those picks to move back in this year’s draft, as well as to acquire a first-rounder in 2023 to position the organization to possibly select one of the top quarterbacks next spring.
If the New York Giants stand pat, and do not trade back, this would easily be the best possible outcome for Schoen’s first draft at the helm, via NFL.com’s Chad Reuter:
"Round 1: No. 5 overall — Evan Neal, OT, AlabamaRound 1: No. 7 overall — Ahmad Gardner, CB, CincinnatiEven if they trade down from one of their two top-10 picks (one received from the Bears on a 2021 draft-day trade), the Giants will meet two crucial needs early in the draft. Neal is a logical choice to step in at right tackle (where he played in 2020) to replace Nate Solder. It will be interesting to see whether the Giants have more interest in Stingley or “Sauce” at cornerback; I’ll say Gardner gets the nod, due to his length and physical nature."
Neal would be a plug-and-play starter at right tackle, opposite Andrew Thomas, potentially forming a foundation for a rebuilt offensive line. But, Neal is widely viewed as the premier offensive tackle in this class, a potential No. 1 overall choice of the Jacksonville Jaguars, and it may be unlikely he falls to No. 5 overall.
Meanwhile, Gardner might be an ideal fit for New York Giants defensive coordinator Don “Wink” Martindale’s system, and would either make the perfect complement opposite James Bradberry or a replacement for him should the All-Pro be dealt between now and the draft.