Top 5 bold predictions for the NY Giants in 2022 NFL Draft
By Zak Musso
NY Giants select at least three offensive linemen
The Giants’ continual failure to properly address the offensive line for the past decade has been one of the primary reasons for the decade of disappointment in the Meadowlands. In his first year as general manager, Schoen is smart enough to address the offensive line issue and use his many resources available to fix it.
Year one of a general manager and head coaching tenure generally begins with an evaluation of the roster. The long-term prospects of Daniel Jones and Saquon Barkley cannot properly be evaluated without giving them protection.
Schoen will draft one of the big three offensive linemen, Evan Neal, Ikem Ekonwu, or Charles Cross, with the number five selection in the draft. Neal and Ekonwu, regarded as the top two offensive linemen, bring tremendous versatility, having experience playing both guard and tackle, and would instantly turn the Giants’ offensive line from poor to average.
With the last decade of horrendous line play, many fans would settle with just average for now. Cross needs a little more development but he played at Mississippi State in Mike Leach’s Air Raid system, which would translate well to Daboll’s system but will also likely be pass-heavy.
The Giants will address their offensive line again in Round 3 and select Jamaree Salyer, an offensive lineman out of Georgia. Salyer is the perfect target for Schoen and Daboll as he is a versatile lineman who played snaps at all five spots on the offensive line in college.
Salyer has also played in big games his entire college career and seems to be unfazed when the lights shine brightest, as he displayed in the 2022 National Championship game where he allowed just one pressure despite playing snaps at both left tackle and right guard.
Versatility is something the Giants desperately crave on the offensive line. The Giants will then address the offensive line at least once more with Alec Lindstrom and Luke Fortner, two centers, being logical later-round targets.