Top 3 players the NY Giants must draft on Day 2 in 2022 NFL Draft

With the NY Giants adding Kayvon Thibodeaux and Evan Neal with their two first-round picks, they have already addressed their two biggest needs. Heading into Day 2 of the NFL draft, there are still several spots that the Giants could look to upgrade. There are several high-profile prospects still on the board. The Giants could look to find starters with all three of their Day 2 picks.

The Giants could be on the search for impact players at linebacker, wide receiver, cornerback, or safety at some point on Day 2. With several elite prospects at these positions still waiting for their name to be called, the Giants could find several impact players.

How they choose to approach Day 2 could have a large impact on the success of their 2022 season. Here are three players the Giants could target on Day 2 of the 2022 NFL Draft.

NY Giants Day 2 Target: Nakobe Dean, LB Georgia

It was highly believed that Georgia linebacker Nakobe Dean had a great chance of not only going in the first round but also being the first linebacker off the board. After a monster season on a loaded Georgia defense, Dean set himself apart from many of the other linebackers in this year’s class.

Dean finished the 2021 season with a PFF grade of 91.8, the best of any linebacker. He also recorded grades of 91.3 in pass rush and 90.4 in coverage, finishing fourth and seventh in each category.

While Dean isn’t the biggest linebacker prospect at 5-11 and 229 pounds, he has the sort of speed and coverage ability that will allow for him to be an NFL player for a long time.

In terms of production, few linebackers were as productive as Dean was during his time at Georgia. Over the past two seasons where he was put into a bigger role along the defense, he recorded 139 total tackles, nine sacks (eight of them coming last season), and generated a total of 42 pressures.

When in coverage, Dean was practically lockdown. Quarterbacks had just a 43.3 passer rating when targeting him. He also allowed just 126 total yards on 22 completions. Dean brings the sort of coverage abilities that will allow for him to remove running backs from passing downs entirely. He has been known to destroy screenplays and can keep up with whoever has the ball.

Dean could be a day one starter alongside veteran linebacker Blake Martinez. He would also be reunited with his former Georgia Bulldog teammate Azeez Ojulari. Getting arguably the draft’s best linebacker on Day 2 would be an absolute steal. Dean will be productive from day one, regardless of where he plays.