NY Giants 7-round Mock Draft: Big Blue trades up for top WR1 target

In 2022, Daniel Jones and the New York Giants defied all expectations. With the duo of head coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen taking over, the team found instant success. The Giants finished the season making plenty of noise. Now, it's time to look to the future.

Since the end of the season, the Giants have made several additions to improve both sides of the ball. Now with the draft quickly approaching, they will look to complete their roster. In our latest mock draft, the Giants will look to trade up to add an elite option to the wide receiver room. Let's get started:

NY Giants Round 1 Pick: Ohio State WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba

Trade Scenario: Giants trade up to pick No. 14 with the New England Patriots. New York sends picks 25, 89, 254, and a 2024 second-rounder in exchange for No. 14.

With the move to trade up to 14th overall, the Giants will add a potential star at the wide receiver position in Ohio State's Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Throughout the draft process, the two sides have shown clear interest in each other. With his arrival, Jones and the offense will add a game-changer in the passing game.

During his time at Oho State, Smith-Njigba showed that he had all of the tools to be a dominant wide receiver. In total, he took the field in just 23 games for the Buckeyes. But when healthy, there were few players that impacted the game as much as he did. He finished his collegiate career recording 110 receptions for 1,698 receiving yards and 10 total touchdowns.

This past season, Smith-Njigba spent much of the year sidelined with a hamstring injury. But what he missed in 2022 was made up for by what he displayed on a regular basis in 2021.

In his sophomore season, while sharing the ball with Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson, Smith-Njigba often looked to be Ohio State's best wide receiver. He finished the season recording 95 receptions for 1,606 receiving yards and nine touchdowns. This included a historical performance in the Rose Bowl that saw him haul in 15 receptions for 347 receiving yards and three touchdowns.

Placing Smith-Njigba in this Giants offense could give Jones the best chance to succeed. It could also be exactly what this unit needs to take the next step.

NY Giants Round 2 Pick: Wisconsin OC Joe Tippmann

With the departures of both Nick Gates and Jon Feliciano, the Giants now have a clear need at the center position. While Ben Bredeson appears prepared to step in, the draft could be where they find a star at the position. In the second round, Wisconsin's Joe Tippmann could be the perfect option at No. 57 overall.

During his time at Wisconsin, Tippmann developed into what looks to be an elite prospect at center. Over his two seasons as the team's starter, he looked to be near-perfect on the interior. While being on the field for 625 passing downs over these two seasons, he allowed a total of one sack and four quarterback hits.

This past season, Tippmann was on the field for a total of 758 snaps over 12 games. While earning a PFF grade of 78.7, he allowed just one sack, two quarterback hurries, and two quarterback hits.

With Tippmann coming in at 6-6 and 313 pounds, he is already much bigger than the average center. While at Wisconsin, he thrived in a run-heavy offense. With how this Giants offense operated in 2022, it could be a very similar scheme. In turn, he could thrive from Day 1 while being in an offense that coincides with what he has already done.

When looking at his potential to grow within this offense that already has young building blocks, there could be no better fit. He'll be a guy to watch on Day 2.

NY Giants Round 4 Pick: Clemson pass-rusher K.J. Henry

Given that Kayvon Thibodeaux and Azeez Ojulari can stay healthy, the Giants have already solidified their edge duo of the future. But the chance to add a third player to the group could be too much to pass on. In a draft class that is full of talent on the defensive front, Clemson's K.J. Henry could be the type of player that fits the mold of this defense at No. 128 overall.

Over his five seasons at Clemson, Henry took the field in 48 total games. In total, he recorded 124 total tackles, 63 solo tackles, 28 tackles for loss, and 13 sacks.

This past season, Henry played the best football of his collegiate career. Over 14 games, he recorded 51 total tackles, 26 solo tackles, nine tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, and six defended passes. In addition, he recorded 14 quarterback hits and 34 total quarterback hurries.

Coming in at 6-4 and 251 pounds, Henry doesn't have the biggest frame. But what he lacks in size, he makes up for with his speed and overall athleticism. He can win off of the edge through his skill moves and ability to test opposing blockers.

At the next level, Henry isn't projected to be an every-down defender, but with the Giants already having two strong talents off of the edge in Ojulari and Thibodeaux, he won't need to be. Instead, he could be a rotational piece used to help beat down opposing offensive lines.

NY Giants Round 5 Pick: Iowa CB Riley Moss

During his five seasons at Iowa, Riley Moss developed into a legitimate talent at the cornerback position. With his overall blend of speed and athleticism, he now looks to make an impact in the NFL. For a Giants team that is in need of help at cornerback, he could be an ideal addition with pick No. 160.

In total, Moss appeared in 43 games during his time at Iowa. While on the field, he was a key playmaker on the defensive side of the ball, recording 123 solo tackles, 158 total tackles, five tackles for loss, 26 defended passes, 11 interceptions, and two forced fumbles. He also added three touchdowns over his collegiate career.

During his final season at Iowa, Moss looked to have polished his game. He finished the year setting career-highs in several categories including total tackles and defended passes. In total, he recorded 31 solo tackles, 47 total tackles, one tackle for loss, 11 defended passes, and one interception.

As Moss heads to the NFL, he has the skill set to move around the defense. He could find himself spending time at both cornerback and safety. With the Giants having a need for depth in both areas, he could quickly become a mainstay within the secondary.

NY Giants Round 5 Pick: Syracuse RB Sean Tucker

With Saquon Barkley and the Giants in the middle of what appears to be the early stages of a contract dispute, the team could look to add depth to the backfield. In the later rounds, Syracuse's Sean Tucker could be the perfect fit at No. 172 for the Giants rushing attack.

Over his three seasons at Syracuse, Tucker developed into their lead option out of the backfield. He finished his collegiate career recording a total of 3,182 rushing yards, and 27 touchdowns. Through the air, he added 64 receptions for 622 receiving yards and four receiving touchdowns.

With Tucker's ability to impact both the rushing attack and the passing game, he could fit perfectly into this Giants offense. As they often lean on Barkley, Tucker could also play a similar role. With a physical playstyle and speed to test defenses, he could complement what the Giants have already established within their ground game.

NY Giants Round 6 Pick: UCLA QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson

When looking at the current group of quarterbacks assembled on the Giants roster, there is a need for more. While Jones is locked in as the QB1 of the future, Tyrod Taylor is the only other quarterback on the active roster. With just one year remaining on his contract, the team must look for other options. UCLA's Dorian Thompson-Robinson could be the perfect addition to the quarterback room at No. 209.

While at UCLA, Thompson-Robinson put together five seasons of quality work. Through the air, he recorded 10,710 passing yards, 88 touchdowns, and 36 interceptions. On the ground, he added 1,826 rushing yards and 28 touchdowns.

Over his final season, Thompson-Robinson put together the most complete campaign of his career. He set career highs in passing yards, passing touchdowns, rushing yards, and rushing touchdowns. In total, he threw for 3,169 yards, 27 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. He added 645 yards and 12 touchdowns on the ground.

In this Mike Kafka Giants offense, a mobile quarterback is key. This past season Jones was a threat to make a play with his legs whenever he dropped back. Adding yet another mobile quarterback in Thompson-Robinson could give this unit a strong QB2 in the future.

NY Giants Round 7 Pick: Minnesota S Jordan Howden

With the departure of Julian Love, the Giants are now in need of depth in the safety position. Adding a five-year starter in Minnesota's Jordan Howden would immediately address their need at No. 240.

Howden appeared in 55 games while at Minnesota. During this time, he recorded 168 solo tackles, 240 total tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, 20 defended passes, and five interceptions.

Coming in at 5-11 and 203 pounds, Howden has the size of the modern-day safety. He has also proven that he has the speed to keep up with whoever he is lining up against. In addition, Howden has spent meaningful time on special teams. With this versatility, he could quickly earn a role somewhere on this Giants roster.

NY Giants Round 7 Pick: Jerrod Clark DT Coastal Carolina

While the Giants defensive front is headlined by star power, there is still a need for depth pieces among the group. Coastal Carolina's Jerrod Clark (pick No. 243) could be a strong addition to this group. After moving to defensive tackle in 2020, Clark immediately found success. Through these three seasons, he recorded 105 total tackles, 18 tackles for loss, and 7.5 total sacks.

Coming in at 6-3 and 337 pounds, Clark has found success by winning with his pure strength. As Dexter Lawrence and Leonard Williams lead the way for the Giants defensive interior, Clark could become an ideal rotational piece.

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