With two picks in the top 10 of the 2022 NFL Draft, the blue side of New York has the opportunity to flip their future with a successful selection process. We’ve put together a 7-Round 2022 NFL Mock Draft for the New York Giants to see exactly what that process might look like. Do the Giants move on from Daniel Jones or make moves to support him?
New York Giants 2022 7-Round Mock Draft
For the purposes of this Giants 2022 NFL Mock Draft, we’ve used PFN’s free Mock Draft Simulator with trades. However, the selections are hand-picked based on the projected needs for the Giants in the 2022 NFL Draft. New York currently has eight picks, with over half of them in the top 100. Let’s break down whether this haul helps the Giants become a contender in the NFC.
Round 1, Pick 5: Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
The Giants had one of the worst passing offenses in the NFL last season. They finished with the fourth-worst pass completion percentage in the league while having the third-fewest passing touchdowns in the NFL. It’s easy to point the finger at the man under center. However, have the Giants really given Jones the best opportunity to prove himself as a viable starting quarterback in the league?
That is open to debate. What isn’t is that the Giants need to make some serious upgrades to their offensive line. With Evan Neal slipping to them at the fifth spot, it would be malpractice not to select him. Although he’s played at left tackle for the Crimson Tide this past season, Neal has significant exposure at right tackle and could be a Day 1 starter at either end of the line. With two first-round tackles from the last three drafts protecting him, there really aren’t any more excuses for Jones to fail.
Round 1, Pick 7: Jordan Davis, DT, Georgia
Football games are won and lost in the trenches. It sounds like a cliché, but it’s one that’s ultimately true. Having upgraded their offensive line with the first pick of this mock draft, the Giants turn their attention to the defensive front. Both Austin Johnson and Danny Shelton are free agents at nose tackle, and this class has just the player to fill the void.
There probably isn’t a void anywhere in the world that Jordan Davis couldn’t fill. The 6’6″, 340-pound defensive tackle is an imposing human being. He also happens to be one of the most athletic prospects in the class. Davis fits the “two on me, someone’s free” big man archetype, but he also has the speed and explosion — when fully fit — to have a game-wrecking impact both on the passing game and against the run.
Round 2, Pick 36: Kenyon Green, G, Texas A&M
Don’t expect the Giants to stop at one offensive line addition in the 2022 NFL Draft. Having secured a top-tier offensive tackle talent, they strike for an interior option at the top of the second round. With Will Hernandez a potential free agent, New York gets a potential steal in Texas A&M’s Kenyon Green.
Green came into the 2021 college football season as one of the top prospects in the class. However, his expected transition to the left tackle spot didn’t hold, and ultimately the Aggies moved him around more often than Ryan Fitzpatrick has changed teams in his career. Without the leap in development, Green’s stock has soured a little. However, he can be an imposing run game mauler on the interior who possesses a rock-solid anchor in pass protection.
Round 3, Pick 67: Myjai Sanders, EDGE, Cincinnati
After a standout rookie season for Azeez Ojulari, the Giants use their third-round pick in this mock draft to find him a pass-rush partner in crime. Myjai Sanders is a dangerous pass-rush prospect as a true 3-4 outside linebacker. A taller prospect than Ojulari, Sanders has the benefit of disruptive length, which — combined with his explosiveness and ability to bend around the edge — makes him a dangerous proposition for any offensive coordinator to account for. As we saw at Cincinnati, some just chose to actively scheme away from him.
Round 3, Pick 81: Greg Dulcich, TE, UCLA
Evan Engram made his way out of the MetLife in free agency, signing a one-year $10m deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Finding a replacement in the 2022 NFL Draft shouldn’t be hard. It’s a deeply talented class of tight ends, and, for some, UCLA’s Greg Dulcich sits right at the top of it. A physical and athletic pass catcher, he’s adept at adding yardage after the catch. His lack of inline experience shouldn’t be an issue in replacing Engram, who only played 22% of his snaps on the hip of the offensive tackle last season.
Round 4, Pick 111: Zyon McCollum, CB, Sam Houston State
According to reports, the Giants have been shopping starting outside cornerback James Bradberry. If they succeed in securing a deal, they’ll be in the cornerback market in the NFL Draft. Getting ahead of that in this mock draft, the Giants select Sam Houston State cornerback Zyon McCollum. After a highly productive career, McCollum has attracted significant attention with impressive performances at the Senior Bowl and NFL Combine. He has the size, speed, strength, and ball skills to play outside at the NFL level.
Round 5, Pick 147: Charleston Rambo, WR, Miami (FL)
After a disappointing 2020 season, Charleston Rambo became something of an NFL Draft afterthought. However, his transfer to the Miami Hurricanes has revitalized his prospects of an NFL future. While he doesn’t possess next-level speed, Rambo puts impressive agility to use to create separation as a route runner. Furthermore, he’s one of the more physically imposing pass catchers who likes to get down and dirty as a run blocker. He’s a great Day 3 add to the Giants’ wide receiver room as a further weapon for Jones to utilize.
Round 6, Pick 181: Matt Araiza, P, San Diego State
Without further ado, the pick that you’ve all been waiting for in this Giants mock draft! After releasing punter Riley Dixon, New York is in the market for a new man at the position. With all due respect to backup Jamie Gillan, this makes them a prime landing spot for Matt “Punt God” Araiza. The San Diego State punter has been a social media sensation after punting performances that permeated newsrooms around the world. Araiza has exceptional leg talent and showcased perfect placement during on-field drills at the NFL Combine.