Top 3 reasons why the NY Giants won the 2022 NFL Draft
By Toby Grundy
NY Giants 2022 NFL Draft: 1 – Versatility
Clearly the theme of this draft class, the Giants took players on all three days which contribute to this team in a variety of ways. When the roster lacks both top-end talent and depth pieces who can contribute, it’s important to make every draft pick count.
The long list of versatile additions starts on offense with Evan Neal and Joshua Ezeudu, who both have significant experience at tackle as well as guard during their college careers. Wan’Dale Robinson is a receiver who brings a skill set that will excel around the line of scrimmage as well as the speed to beat defenders deep.
This is an attribute that saw him catch 16 deep balls last season. Daniel Bellinger’s proficiency in run blocking, as well as effective pass-catching, will open up plays in both the run and pass games for Mike Kafka.
Perhaps even more impressive than the offensive additions was the variety of options drafted for the new Wink Martindale defense. Schoen added a cornerback in Cordale Flott who played nickel, cornerback, and even safety at LSU, and two linebackers in Micah McFadden and Darrian Beavers who played all over their respective college defenses.
Fourth-round pick Dane Belton is a lot more than just your regular safety, playing a hybrid role for Iowa which saw him in the slot, as a linebacker, and deep at safety which will fit nicely in the Martindale system.
The defensive versatility is exactly what is required to see this unit succeed under Martindale. He has said previously how he likes to play positionless defense and the success of his defense relies on creating organized chaos. The Giants are certainly going to have the pieces to play to those strengths in 2022 and beyond.
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Summary
Whether or not you are happy with the particular players chosen, it is clear that Schoen and the front office had a plan entering the draft. They drafted prospects who best fit the systems they are looking to implement both offensively and defensively, even at spots much earlier than consensus rankings would recommend.
Whether or not it will ultimately be a success we are years away from finding out, but the Giants will certainly be a much different unit in 2022 than they were under the reign of Dave Gettleman – something most Giants fans will be happy about.