Final NY Giants 7-Round mock draft with zero trades

The 2022 NFL Draft is finally here. The NY Giants, with two picks in the top-10, will be one of the few teams that can directly impact how the draft plays out. Whether they choose to keep their picks or move back, could cause ripple effects that are felt throughout the entire draft.

With that being said, the Giants are still a team that will have to make quality picks to be competitive soon. After a recent run of disappointing seasons, they will need to make the right picks this year if they hope to turn things around.

There are multiple positions that the Giants desperately need to address in this week’s draft. But there are three that stand out more than others. These three are the offensive line, the defensive line, and the cornerback position. With three picks in the first 36 selections, the Giants could find three quality players to put into these spots.

With nine picks in this week’s draft, the Giants have among the teams with the third most selections in the entire draft. Here is one final mock draft, with no trades.

NY Giants Pick 5. Ikem Ekwonu, OT, NC State

The Giants seem to be willing to give the Daniel Jones/Saquon Barkley-led offense one last chance. With the new regime basically committing to the duo for this season, it would make sense that they give the offense the best chance to succeed. The addition of NC State offensive lineman Ikem Ekownu does just that.

Ekwonu has built his case as arguably the draft’s best offensive tackle. He was elite in each collegiate season yet somehow continued to get better year after year. In his three seasons at NC State, he allowed just 10 sacks, 36 hurries, and a total of 54 pressures while playing a total of 2,285 snaps.

In terms of run blocking, Ekwonu has set himself apart from the rest of the draft’s offensive tackle prospects. His skill set in this area is elite and should directly transition to the NFL. Over the past two seasons, Ekwonu posted run grades of 91.0+ according to PFF. His highest came in 2021 when he posted a grade of 93.8, the fifth-highest in the FBS. His elite strength allows for him to terrorize defenders in the run game, leading him to account for 154 pancakes throughout his career,

Ekwonu has occasionally struggled in pass protection but has gradually improved over time. He recorded a grade of 78.3, which is somewhat of a fall-off compared to his effectiveness in the run game.

But these inconsistencies shouldn’t lead a team like the Giants to look in a different direction with this pick. Ekwonu can immediately make an impact and can help a young team get even better. His experience at both tackle and guard will allow him to help out wherever he is needed. And a painting of him and Andrew Thomas could quickly become one of the game’s most promising duos.

NY Giants Pick 7. Kayvon Thibodeux, Edge, Oregon

The Giants have been on the search for a generational edge rusher for years now. With the addition of Oregon’s Kayvon Thibodeaux, they could finally have their guy. Thibodeaux was dominant in his time at the University of Oregon. In his three years as a starter, he proved to be one of the most elite edge threats in college football. His potential was put on full display almost immediately as he recorded 9 sacks and 34 total pressures in his first collegiate season.

As time progressed, teams began to build game plans around stopping Thibodeaux. With this happening, his numbers did slightly drop, but he was still highly effective. He recorded 10 sacks, 88 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, and 81 total pressures over his final two seasons.

At 6-4 and 256 pounds, Thibodeaux has the prototypical build that teams are looking for in the modern-edge rusher. With this speed, he also brings a shockingly fast playstyle. His 4.58 40-yard dash is a testament to this game-defying trait. His pairing of explosiveness and overall bend off the edge allowed for him to ruin opposing offenses. This also led to him recording a PFF defensive grade of 83.2 and a pass-rushing grade of 91.5

With the success of 2021 second-round pick Azeez Ojulari, the Giants already have a strong young piece in their defensive line. A pairing of Ojulari and Thibodeaux, alongside players such as Dexter Lawrence and Leonard Williams, could help solidify this defense.

NY Giants Pick 36. Jalen Pitre, CB, Baylor

With there still a cloud of uncertainty surrounding what will happen between veteran cornerback James Bradberry and the Giants, it would make sense to address the position at some point in the draft. Baylor’s Jalen Pitre could be the perfect addition to the secondary to help, regardless of how the situation plays out.

Pitre was a two-year starter at Baylor but first arrived at school in 2017. After two seasons at linebacker and an injury that led to him being redshirted in 2019, Pitre made the switch to the secondary in 2020.

In his two years in the secondary, Pitre fully broke out. He recorded 156 total tackles, 31 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, 13 broken-up passes, and four interceptions. He also led the Big 12 in tackles for loss and forced fumbles, while also being chosen as the Big 12 defensive player of the year in 2021.

While it is still argued whether Pitre is a safety or a cornerback, he dominated in both areas. This past season he played a total of 909 defensive snaps, with 122 of them being in the box, 153 of them at the line of scrimmage, and 601 in the slot.

Pitre has the sort of big-play capability that you want in your secondary. He is versatile and effective, always finding ways to impact the defense. He has also proven to be a capable run defender as he recorded 34 run stops in 2021, the most at his position in the entire country.

Pitre has the upside in his game that could allow for him to make an immediate impact. He can start immediately at the slot and hold his own. He could also be used all over the field, allowing for him to quickly become one of the most versatile players on the defense.