Daniel Jeremiah reveals new picks for Giants in latest mock draft
With the 2022 offseason heating up across the league, many draft pundits have released updated predictions for the first round of this year's NFL Draft.
The latest expert to throw his hat in the ring is NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah.
In his last mock draft, Jeremiah projected Georgia EDGE Travon Walker at No. 5 and USC WR Drake London at No. 7. One month later, the NFL Network analyst has updated his picks for Big Blue and now believes the team will address both the offensive and defensive lines with their two top picks.
Here are Jeremiah's latest predictions for the Giants with their picks at Nos. 5 and 7.
Pick for No. 5: Ickey Ekwonu, OT, N.C. State
Analysis: "This would be an ideal situation for new Giants GM Joe Schoen. Ekwonu is the best offensive lineman in the class." -- Jeremiah
Ekwonu allowed just three sacks and 10 hurries on 500 pass block snaps last season. Pro Football Focus awarded him a 91.6 overall grade this past season, which included 93.8 run block and 78.3 pass block grades. In his first two seasons at N.C. State, the young tackle had overall grades of 80.6 (2020) and 80.5 (2019). Ekwonu earned numerous awards and honors this past year, and surrendered just eight QB hits on 1,332 pass block snaps over the last three seasons at N.C. State.
Accolades: Unanimous All-American (2021), ACC Jacobs Blocking Award (2021), First-Team All-ACC (2021), Third-Team All-ACC (2020)
Lance Zierlein player comp: Kelechi Osemele
Pick for No. 7: Jermaine Johnson II, EDGE, Florida State
Analysis: "Johnson is an explosive edge rusher with outstanding production. Pairing him with Azeez Ojulari, who just posted eight sacks in his rookie campaign, could do wonders for New York's pass rush." -- Jeremiah
Johnson started all 12 games for Florida State last season and recorded 70 total tackles, 12 sacks, 18 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, 12 QB hurries, two pass breakups and one fumble recovery. He led the ACC in tackles for loss and sacks, and his total tackles were the most among all Power 5 defensive linemen. Johnson also ranked sixth in sacks and eighth in tackles for loss nationally. Johnson earned an 81.1 overall grade from PFF in 2021, including 75.9 pass rush and 79.2 run defense grade.
Accolades: Walter Camp Football Foundation First-Team All-American (2021), ACC Defensive Player of the Year (2021), First-Team All-ACC (2021)
Lance Zierlein player comp: Maxx Crosby
Giants sign former Ravens DT Justin Ellis
The New York Giants signed veteran defensive tackle Justin Ellis, formerly of the Baltimore Ravens.
Here are five things you need to know about the veteran defensive lineman:
1. Ellis, 6-2 and 350 pounds, has played in 100 regular-season games with 50 starts for the Raiders (2014-18) and Ravens (2019-21). His career numbers include 148 tackles, four quarterback hits, and six tackles for loss.
2. He has also appeared in three postseason games, including two in Baltimore under defensive coordinator Don "Wink" Martindale, who now runs the Giants' defense.
3. Ellis also reunites with outside linebacker Jihad Ward, a former teammate in Baltimore. Ward played 21 games for Martindale, who is known for his frequent and creative blitzes.
"Basically, just coming in with that aggression," Ward said of Martindale in his introductory press conference earlier this week. "Just strong and really the aggression is just some blitzes and stuff. You don't know when we're going to come. That's his type of style. That's his type of deal. We're going to come at you. With Wink and him coaching me, he's a great coach.
"I want to go somewhere where they're going to make me feel loose and Wink is one of those coaches where basically he's going to make me extend my career being the best that I can be. Wink is one of the coaches that did a hell of a job with me when I was a Raven, so I'm here now and ready to win some games."
4. The Raiders originally selected Ellis in the fourth round of the 2014 NFL Draft. He was named to the Pro Football Writers of America and Sports Illustrated All-Rookie teams after playing in all 16 games that season with 14 starts.
5. Ellis played in 37 games (25 starts) at Louisiana Tech from 2010-13, with 14 starts coming at defensive tackle and 11 at nose guard. He totaled 102 tackles (37 solo) was named All-Conference USA honorable mention as a senior.
View photos of new defensive tackle Justin Ellis.
Baltimore Ravens defensive tackle Justin Ellis (71) prepares for the snap during an NFL game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Oct. 17, 2021, in Baltimore. The Ravens defeated the Chargers 34-6. (Al Tielemans via AP)
Baltimore Ravens nose tackle Justin Ellis (71) pressures the pocket during an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 12, 2021, in Cleveland. Cleveland won 24-22. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Baltimore Ravens defensive tackle Justin Ellis (71) looks to the sidelines during an NFL football game between the Indianapolis Colts and Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Nov. 8, 2020, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Zach Bolinger)
Baltimore Ravens nose tackle Justin Ellis (71) lines up on the line of scrimmage during an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 12, 2021, in Cleveland. Cleveland won 24-22. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Baltimore Ravens nose tackle Justin Ellis (71) in a three-point stance on the line of scrimmage during an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022, in Baltimore. The Rams won 20-19. (Perry Knotts via AP)
Baltimore Ravens defensive tackle Justin Ellis (71) lines up for a play during an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 12, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Kirk Irwin)
Baltimore Ravens defensive tackle Justin Ellis works out during an NFL football camp practice, Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2020, in Owings Mills, Md. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Baltimore Ravens defensive lineman Justin Ellis (71) rests during an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders, Monday, Sept. 13, 2021 in Las Vegas. The Raiders defeated the Ravens 33-27. (Greg Trott via AP)
Baltimore Ravens defensive tackle Justin Ellis (71) gets set to rush during an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in Baltimore. The Ravens defeated the Browns, 16-10. (Ryan Kang via AP)
Baltimore Ravens nose tackle Justin Ellis (71) runs during an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021, in Chicago. The Ravens defeated the Bears 16-13. (Scott Boehm via AP)
Baltimore Ravens defensive tackle Justin Ellis walks off the field before a preseason NFL football game Saturday, Aug. 21, 2021, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Baltimore Ravens nose tackle Justin Ellis (71) defends against the Minnesota Vikings during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 6, 2021, in Baltimore. (Michael Owens via AP)
Baltimore Ravens defensive tackle Justin Ellis works out during an NFL football camp practice, Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2020, in Owings Mills, Md. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Baltimore Ravens nose tackle Justin Ellis (71) smiles on the sideline during an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Monday, Oct. 11, 2021, in Baltimore. The Ravens won 31-25 in overtime. (Perry Knotts via AP)
Baltimore Ravens defensive tackle Justin Ellis (71) reacts during an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Monday, Dec. 14, 2020, in Cleveland. Baltimore won 47-42. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Baltimore Ravens defensive lineman Justin Ellis (71) looks on against the Tennessee Titans during an NFL wild-card playoff football game, Sunday, Jan. 10, 2021, in Nashville, Tenn. The Ravens defeated the Titans 20-13. (Joe Robbins via AP)
Baltimore Ravens defensive tackle Justin Ellis (71) looks on during the second half of an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2020, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
Baltimore Ravens defensive lineman Justin Ellis (71) in action on defense against the Tennessee Titans during an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2020, in Baltimore. The Titans defeated the Ravens 30-24 in overtime. (Joe Robbins via AP)
Baltimore Ravens defensive tackle Justin Ellis runs a drill during an NFL football practice, Tuesday, Aug. 10, 2021, in Owings Mills, Md.(AP Photo/Gail Burton)
Baltimore Ravens defensive tackle Justin Ellis works out during the team's NFL football training, Wednesday, June 16, 2021, in Owings Mills, Md. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Baltimore Ravens defensive tackle Justin Ellis (71) looks on during the first half of an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2020, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
Baltimore Ravens defensive tackle Justin Ellis (71) between plays during an NFL game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020, in Philadelphia. The Ravens defeated the Eagles 30-28. (Al Tielemans via AP)
Baltimore Ravens defensive tackle Justin Ellis (71) lines up in a three-point stance during an NFL game against the Los Angeles Rams, Monday, Nov. 25, 2019, in Los Angeles. The Ravens defeated the Rams 45-6. (Kevin Terrell via AP)
Baltimore Ravens defensive tackle Justin Ellis (71) warms up on the field before an NFL football game between the Indianapolis Colts and Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Nov. 8, 2020, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Zach Bolinger)
Oakland Raiders defensive tackle Justin Ellis (78) tackles St. Louis Rams quarterback Nick Foles (5) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game in Oakland, Calif., Friday, Aug. 14, 2015. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)
Oakland Raiders defensive tackle Justin Ellis (78) pursues the ball carrier during a NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, October 8, 2017 in Oakland. The Ravens won the game 30-17. (Paul Jasienski via AP)
Oakland Raiders defensive tackle Justin Ellis (78) celebrates after stuffing a running play during the 2017 NFL week 7 regular season football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Thursday, Oct. 19, 2017 in Oakland, Calif. The Raiders won the game 31-30. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
Oakland Raiders defensive tackle Justin Ellis (78) is seen in action during an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, Nov. 15, 2015 in Oakland, Calif. (Peter Read Miller via AP)
Oakland Raiders defensive tackle Justin Ellis (78) runs during an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Monday, Dec. 10, 2017, in Kansas City, Mo. The Chiefs won 26-15. (Scott Boehm via AP)
Oakland Raiders defensive tackle Justin Ellis (78) is seen in action during an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, Nov. 15, 2015 in Oakland, Calif. (Peter Read Miller via AP)
Oakland Raiders defensive tackle Justin Ellis (78) stops Kansas City Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt (27) during a Week 7 NFL game, October 19, 2017 in Oakland, Calif. The Raiders defeated the Chiefs 31-30. (Kevin Terrell via AP)
Oakland Raiders defensive tackle Justin Ellis (78) chases the action during the 2018 NFL preseason week 3 football game against the Green Bay Packers on Friday, Aug. 24, 2018 in Oakland, Calif. The Raiders won the game 13-6. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
Oakland Raiders Justin Ellis (78) during an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 26, 2017.
(Tom DiPace via AP)
Oakland Raiders defensive tackle Justin Ellis (78) during NFL football training camp Monday, July 29, 2019, in Napa, Calif. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)
Oakland Raiders defensive tackle Justin Ellis (78) against the New York Giants during the first half of an NFL football game in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, Dec. 3, 2017. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Oakland Raiders defensive tackle Justin Ellis (78) reacts after blocking a field goal attempt during the first half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Carson, Calif. (AP Photo/Kelvin Kuo)
Oakland Raiders defensive tackle Justin Ellis (78) looks on during a week 12 NFL football game against the Denver Broncos on Sunday, Nov. 26, 2017 in Oakland, Calif. Oakland won 21-14. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Oakland Raiders defensive tackle Justin Ellis (78) stands on the field during a NFL football game against the New York Giants, Sunday, December 3, 2017 in Oakland. The Raiders won the game 24-17. (Paul Jasienski via AP)
Oakland Raiders defensive tackle Justin Ellis (78) runs off the field during the 2017 NFL week 6 regular season football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Oct. 15, 2017 in Oakland, Calif. The Chargers won the game 17-16. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
Oakland Raiders defensive tackle Justin Ellis (78) runs during an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Monday, Dec. 10, 2017, in Kansas City, Mo. The Chiefs won 26-15. (Scott Boehm via AP)
Oakland Raiders defensive tackle Justin Ellis (78) runs onto the field prior to a week 15 NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017 in Oakland, Calif. Dallas won 20-17. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Get to know new Giants OL Jamil Douglas
Earlier this week, the Giants announced that they signed offensive lineman Jamil Douglas.
Douglas, 6-4 and 310 pounds, was originally a fourth-round selection by the Dolphins in the 2015 NFL Draft. He has played in 50 regular-season games with 11 starts for Miami, Tennessee, Buffalo, and Washington.
He has made eight starts at right guard and three at center in his career. He reunites with coach Brian Daboll and offensive line coach Bobby Johnson, who coached him on the Bills last season.
Douglas played collegiately at Arizona State, where he switched from guard to left tackle during his senior season.
Check out the video below to find out more about the Giants' newest offensive lineman.
