With two NY Giants draft picks featuring in the top-10, it’s hard not to get excited about the 2022 NFL draft. A much-needed offensive lineman, talented edge defender, or key secondary piece – you ask ten different people, and you’ll get ten different answers on where the Giants should go in round one.
As exciting as these two picks are, the Giants have an additional seven picks which don’t fall on day one. If you thought the first two picks were unpredictable, the team’s second-round pick genuinely has endless possibilities.
Let’s take a look at just a few potential Giants draft targets with the 36th overall pick.
NY Giants Round 2 Draft Target: Leo Chenal, LB, Wisconsin
A lot can happen in the first round that affects where the Giants go with this pick. One of the most realistic options the team has at pick 36 is Wisconsin linebacker, Leo Chenal. The combination of filling a key need on the roster, as well as Chenal more than likely being available at the position, the pick makes sense for the team.
The Giants’ depth chart at linebacker is not pretty. When you look in the middle, you see a former “Mr. Irrelevant” (last player taken in the draft) in Tae Crowder and Blake Martinez who is returning from a torn ACL.
Why not fill the glaring hole with the 2021 Big-ten linebacker of the year. According to PFF, Chenal will fit right into a blitz-heavy scheme at the professional level.
"Chenal is going to thrive in man blitz-heavy schemes. He packs a punch as a downhill player, as he can light up offensive linemen with ease. His 94.1 run-defense grade wasn’t too far behind Micah Parsons’ (94.8) PFF college record."
If there’s one thing we know about a Wink Martindale defense – it’s going to blitz.
In four seasons as the Baltimore defensive coordinator, the Ravens finished top of the league in blitz percentage three times.
It’s a match made in heaven. With the comparison to Micah Parsons made by PFF regarding his run blocking score, it’s only fair the Giants bring him to the NFC East – a player rivalry that can span the best part of the next decade.