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Giants Now: First impressions of 2022 rookie class

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ESPN's first impressions of 2022 rookie class

With two picks in the top seven, it's been clear since the end of last season that the 2022 NFL Draft would have a big impact on the Giants.

Kayvon Thibodeaux was taken with the No. 5 overall pick, while Evan Neal was selected No. 7. The former is known for getting after the quarterback, while the latter has made a name for himself by protecting the QB.

ESPN recently looked at all 32 first-round picks from this year's draft and asked the network's NFL Nation reporters to discuss first impressions from each player. For the Giants, both Thibodeaux and Neal seemed to impress Jordan Raanan when on the field.

"He spent most of the spring in a red jersey working with a trainer on the side at practice because of an undisclosed injury," Raanan says about the young pass rusher. "Thibodeaux got twisted up on a rep late in practice during the second week of OTAs. It kept him out the rest of the spring. But in the limited time he was on the field it was obvious the Giants are going to use him often and everywhere. That first step is special. Thibodeaux was working with the first-team defense on the first day of OTAs."

Thibodeaux appears set to start on the edge for the Giants, opposite second-year standout Azeez Ojulari.

"Neal, who was drafted out of Alabama, was the Giants' starting right tackle from the first day of OTAs," writes the ESPN reporter. "That much was obvious throughout the spring. So was the fact Neal fits right in. 'Just dominant,' is how veteran right guard Mark Glowinski described him. Neal's size, speed and readiness to contribute immediately were on full display in the spring."

Neal is projected to be the team's starting right tackle. Starting opposite him on the left side will be Andrew Thomas, who enjoyed a very strong second-year jump in 2021.

View photos of the the Giants' 2022 draft class on the practice field during spring workouts.

Giants Huddle | Herm Edwards and Brady Hoke

On this two-part episode, Lance Medow chats with Arizona State head coach Herm Edwards about DJ Davidson and why his skill set fits in well with the Giants defense. Lance Medow is also joined by San Diego State head coach Brady Hoke to talk about Daniel Bellinger's versatility at TE and physical ability.

:36 - Davidson's development at ASU

9:55 - Learning the NFL game

14:21 - Brady Hoke on Daniel Bellinger

19:21 - Bellinger's contested catch ability

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