The 2022 offseason is officially underway.
With Super Bowl LVI now in the rearview mirror, the focus for all 32 teams across the National Football League can turn towards the 2022 season. Free agency begins in about a month, but before the negotiating period kicks off, the top college prospects will gather in Indianapolis for the NFL Scouting Combine.
The combine is still a few weeks away, but here is an early look at the post-Super Bowl projections for the Giants, who hold the fifth and seventh overall selections:
Pick for No. 5: Kayvon Thibodeaux, DE, Oregon
Analysis: "He has great quickness, a good arsenal of pass-rush moves and plenty of versatility. His tape is up and down, hence a mild slide to No. 5, but he'd immediately elevate a New York pass rush that had 34 sacks (tied for 22nd) last season. And he'd perfectly complement Leonard Williams and Azeez Ojulari, the team's 2021 second-rounder who led the defense with 8.0 sacks in his rookie year."
Pick for No. 7: Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State
Analysis: "As I mentioned above, I'm not totally sure Cross is a top-10 pick. But he handles speed rushers well and plays with patience, and I see good angles on tape in the run game. He's the next best tackle on the board, and after landing Kayvon Thibodeaux at No. 5, New York can afford to reach a little bit here."
Pick for No. 5: Ikem Ekwonu, OT, NC State
Analysis: "There has been a lot of recent buzz around Ekwonu, whose stock is rising. He dominated at left tackle for the Wolfpack this season after playing some guard earlier in his career. Based on the 2021 tape, there's not much separating Ekwonu from Evan Neal, and I wouldn't be surprised if Ekwonu was the top tackle off the board in April. He has All-Pro potential as a run-blocker and as a pass-blocker."
Pick for No. 7: David Ojabo, OLB, Michigan
Analysis: "Ojabo can help the pass rush immediately. He had an incredibly impressive season, racking up 11 sacks and five forced fumbles while playing opposite my projected No. 1 pick, Aidan Hutchinson. He doesn't have Hutchinson's all-around game -- he has to get better against the run -- but as a pure pass-rusher, he has a very high ceiling. With these two top-seven selections, New York can get high-end starters on both sides of the ball."
Pick for No. 5: Ikem Ekwonu, OT, N.C. State
Analysis: "This would be a home-run pick for a team in need of upgrades along the offensive line. Andrew Thomas has emerged as a legit starter, but the Giants need more help for Daniel Jones. Ekwonu is strong, powerful and nasty."
Pick for No. 7: Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah
Analysis: "Lloyd is a fun player to study. He flies around the field and makes a bunch of plays on the ball. His intangibles are off the charts. I could see the 2021 Pac-12 Pat Tillman Defensive Player of the Year emerge as a key leader for the Giants' defense."
NFL Media analyst Daniel Jeremiah released his final edition of the top 50 prospects in the 2022 NFL Draft.
No. 50 Logan Hall, DT, Houston
No. 49 David Ojabo, EDGE, Michigan
No. 48 Sam Howell, QB, North Carolina
No. 47 Kaiir Elam, CB, Florida
No. 46 Christian Watson, WR, North Dakota State
No. 45 Skyy Moore, WR, Western Michigan
No. 44 Nik Bonitto, EDGE, Oklahoma
No. 43 Bernhard Raimann, OT, Central Michigan
No. 42 Tyler Smith, OT, Tulsa
No. 41 Jalen Pitre, S, Baylor
No. 40 Matt Corral, QB, Mississippi
No. 39 Lewis Cine, S, Georgia
No. 38 Christian Harris, LB, Alabama
No. 37 Travis Jones, DT, Connecticut
No. 36 Kenyon Green, G, Texas A&M
No. 35 Kyler Gordon, CB, Washington
No. 34 Arnold Ebiketie, EDGE, Penn State
No. 33 Kenneth Walker III, RB, Michigan State
No. 32 Andrew Booth Jr., CB, Clemson
No. 31 Boye Mafe, EDGE, Minnesota
No. 30 Zion Johnson, IOL, Boston College
No. 29 Quay Walker, LB, Georgia
No. 28 Breece Hall, RB, Iowa State
No. 27 Tyler Linderbaum, IOL, Iowa
No. 26 Malik Willis, QB, Liberty
No. 25 Jahan Dotson, WR, Penn State
No. 24 Kenny Pickett, QB, Pittsburgh
No. 23 Devonte Wyatt, DT, Georgia
No. 22 Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State
No. 21 Dax Hill, S, Michigan
No. 20 Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa
No. 19 Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas
No. 18 George Karlaftis, EDGE, Purdue
No. 17 Nakobe Dean, LB, Georgia
No. 16 Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama
No. 15 Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State
No. 14 Trent McDuffie, CB, Washington
No. 13 Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah
No. 12 Derek Stingley Jr., CB, LSU
No. 11 Jordan Davis, DT, Georgia
No. 10 Kayvon Thibodeaux, EDGE, Oregon
No. 9 Jermaine Johnson II, EDGE, Florida State
No. 8 Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
No. 7 Drake London, WR, Southern California
No. 6 Travon Walker, EDGE, Georgia
No. 5 Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame
No. 4 Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State
No. 3 Ickey Ekwonu, OT, North Carolina State
No. 2 Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner, CB, Cincinnati
No. 1 Aidan Hutchinson, EDGE, Michigan
Pick for No. 5: Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State
Analysis: "Rebuilding the Giants' offensive line has to be a top priority for new general manager Joe Schoen. As a Day 1 starter, Cross could immediately help Big Blue re-establish a blue-collar mentality on offense."
Pick for No. 7: David Ojabo, EDGE, Michigan
Analysis: "The Giants have always been at their best when a dominant defensive front can take over the game. The ultra-twitchy pass rusher from Michigan would add significant juice."
Pick for No. 5: Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
Analysis: "His balance will fade as the play progresses, but he has a rare mix of size, athleticism and flexibility to make plays in pass protection and the run game."
Pick for No. 7: Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame
Analysis: "Safety isn't the most glaring need on the Giants' depth chart, but with a new general manager and head coach, they will be looking to draft impact players, above everything else, in the top 10. And Hamilton might be the most talented player in the draft, regardless of position. At 6-3 and 218 pounds, Hamilton is a super-sized safety with the range and length to be a matchup weapon in the NFL. Though his physical traits stand out, it is his football IQ that is most impressive, sensing what is about to happen and being disruptive."
Pick for No. 5: Kayvon Thibodeaux, EDGE, Oregon
Analysis: "Thibodeaux coming off the board at No. 5 might feel like a "fall," given that he was the consensus No. 1 overall pick just a few months ago. But after learning more about the class, it makes more sense that his range falls between Pick 1 and Pick 5. He still could very well be the first player taken in the draft, but if he's not, there's no guarantee he's the next name after that. His natural gifts as a pass-rusher make him a top-five lock, but I'll give some hope to Giants fans because I do think it could play out like this, given the talent at the top of the class and the potential team needs in the top five."
Pick for No. 7: Tyler Linderbaum, IOL, Iowa
Analysis: "Yeah, yeah, I know. "You don't take a center this high." However, I genuinely think this is where Linderbaum's range begins, and I also think there's a chance he could be the Giants' second selection. New general manager Joe Schoen comes over from Buffalo, where he served as assistant GM for five years. He was Brandon Beane's right-hand man, and with 20 years of a scouting background, his voice was likely a very important one in the war room. The Bills have honed in on the trenches in each of their last three drafts — all five of their first and second-round picks since 2019 were spent on either offensive line or defensive line. Here, they went with a dynamic, high-ceiling pass protector at No. 5, and I bet Schoen is one of those GMs who simply says, "we're going to draft great football players in the trenches." Linderbaum is one of them."
Pick for No. 5: Ikem Ekwonu, OT, N.C. State
Analysis: "At 6-foot-4 and 320 pounds, Ekwonu has guard-tackle versatility but earned a legitimate shot to start his NFL career at offensive tackle after his spectacular 2021 campaign at left tackle with the Wolfpack. He earned a 91.6 overall grade and 93.8 run-blocking grade across more than 800 offensive snaps this season, the latter of which ranks sixth among all single-season marks for Power Five tackles since 2014. He's a true road grader in the run game with improved polish and footwork in pass protection. A player with his kind of skill set shouldn't fall past the first 10 picks in the draft."
Pick for No. 7: George Karlaftis, EDGE, Purdue
Analysis: "Karlaftis will get tagged as just a lunchpail type with a high motor in a lot of lazy analysis this draft season, but he's so much more than that. The 6-foot-4, 275-pounder was extremely productive for Purdue this season and should surprise with his athletic testing at the combine. Karlaftis, another Feldman Freaks List member, reportedly recorded a 10-foot-1 broad jump, 37.5-inch vertical and 4.69-second 40-yard dash at just over 270 pounds this offseason. Boilermakers head coach Jeff Brohm also raved about Karlaftis' efforts on and off the field in a Tailgate interview before the season."
Pick for No. 5: Kayvon Thibodeaux, EDGE, Oregon
Analysis: "The Oregon product teams up with Azeez Ojulari to give the Giants an athletic duo to pressure opposing quarterbacks."
Pick for No. 7: Ahmad Gardner, CB, Cincinnati
Analysis: "Gardner allowed a 32.6 passer rating on throws into his coverage during his college career."
Pick for No. 5: Ikem Ekwonu, OT, N.C. State
Analysis: "Pro Football Focus loves what Ekwonu did in N.C. State's run-blocking game, counting 18 big-time blocks this past season -- seven more than the next closest guy. He also has experience playing both left tackle and left guard. Not only would Daniel Jones appreciate this pick, but so would Saquon Barkley (which also helps Jones)."
Pick for No. 7: George Karlaftis, EDGE, Purdue
Analysis: "Karlaftis' résumé includes reps aligned over and outside the tackle, which means at his size (he will likely measure around 6-foot-4 at the NFL Scouting Combine) teams will consider how he might be valuable in hybrid fronts and rushing from the inside as well as the outside. His ability to both win after making contact (response win rate) and ability to pressure opposing QBs when they get outside of the pocket rank in the top 88th percentile of the 10-season sample."
Pick for No. 5: Ickey Ekwonu, OT, N.C. State
Analysis: "Ekwonu is a wide-bodied stud who has lighter feet than you'd expect for someone with his girth. The Giants could play him at guard or tackle."
Pick for No. 7: Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah
Analysis: "Lloyd steps into the middle of the Giants' defense, providing run-stopping ability but also the athleticism to work in coverage and attack the passer. He showed some potential to affect games as a pass rusher like Dallas Cowboys rookie Micah Parsons did last fall when given the chance."
View photos of the best players ever to be selected with the Nos. 5 and 7 picks in NFL draft history.
1940: No. 7 C/LB Clyde "Bulldog" Turner (HOF)
1944: No. 5 HB Steve Van Buren (HOF)
1945: No. 5 HB/E Elroy Hirsch (HOF)
1946: No. 5 T George Connor (HOF)
1957: No. 5 QB Len Dawson (HOF)
1958: No. 7 LB Chuck Howley
1961: No. 5 TE Mike Ditka (HOF)
1964: No. 5 DE Carl Eller (HOF)
1965: No. 5 RB Gale Sayers (HOF)
1976: No. 5 DB Mike Haynes (HOF)
1979: No. 7 QB Phil Simms
1988: No. 7 WR Sterling Sharpe
1989: No. 5 DB Deion Sanders (HOF)
1990: No. 5 LB Junior Seau (HOF)
1992: No. 7 DB Troy Vincent
1994: No. 7 DT Bryant Young
1995: No. 5 QB Kerry Collins
1996: No. 7 WR Terry Glenn
1997: No. 7 WR Ike Hilliard
1999: No. 7 DB Champ Bailey (HOF)
2001: No. 5 RB LaDainian Tomlinson (HOF)
2004: No. 5 DB Sean Taylor
2007: No. 7 RB Adrian Peterson
2010: No. 5 DB Eric Berry
2011: No. 5 DB Patrick Peterson
2014: No. 5 LB Khalil Mack
2014: No. 7 WR Mike Evans
2015: No. 5 OL Brandon Scherff
2016: No. 5 CB Jalen Ramsey
2016: No. 7 DE DeForest Buckner
2018: No. 7 QB Josh Allen
2019: No. 5 LB Devin White
2021: No. 5 WR Ja'Marr Chase
Pick for No. 5: Evan Neal, OL, Alabama
Analysis: "This feels like best-case scenario for the Giants, who now have a new GM and head coach, and appear fully committed to Daniel Jones. Neal is one of the best offensive linemen in this class, and should Jones return, the Giants have to protect him."
Pick for No. 7: Tyler Linderbaum, OL, Iowa
Analysis: "If new coach Brian Daboll is indeed committed to Daniel Jones, then he'll need to fix the offensive line, even if that means using two top-10 picks on such players. Linderbaum is one of the best offensive linemen in the country. And although a center hasn't gone higher than No. 18 in the last dozen drafts Linderbaum is so good that it wouldn't be a surprise if he ended up going seventh overall."
Pick for No. 5: Ikem Ekwonu, OT, N.C. State
Analysis: "Ekwonu could be an All-Pro caliber offensive guard, but he will be given a shot to stick at tackle."
Pick for No. 7: Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame
Analysis: "Do not overthink good football players. Hamilton is a good football player who can play downhill or drop into coverage."
Pick for No. 5: Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State
Analysis: "Andrew Thomas, the No. 4 pick in the 2020 draft, has turned into the left tackle the Giants envisioned, but they still need help across multiple spots along the offensive line. Newly hired general manager Joe Schoen and coach Brian Daboll seem to be on the same page with wanting to set up quarterback Daniel Jones for success. That could mean adding a right tackle opposite Thomas in order to keep Jones clean in the pocket."
Pick for No. 7: Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame
Analysis: "Hamilton is my top-ranked prospect in this draft, and although safety isn't a premium position or an immediate need for the Giants (though Jabrill Peppers is set to become a free agent), taking the best available prospect is the way to go here. The Giants already have some talent in the secondary with James Bradberry and Xavier McKinney, but Hamilton is an X factor who could unlock everyone on the back end because of his versatility. This could be seen as a luxury pick for Schoen, but Hamilton is that good."
Pick for No. 5: Ikem Ekwonu, OT, N.C. State
Analysis: "Ikem Ekwonu is a dynamic run blocker that took a major step forward in pass protection in 2021. He has the size, length, power, and movement skills to pair with Andrew Thomas to provide the Giants with a gifted pair of tackles for Jones to operate behind."
Pick for No. 7: David Ojabo, EDGE, Michigan
Analysis: "After landing a top offensive tackle at No. 5, the Giants can turn their attention to the defensive side of the football, a unit that regressed in 2021 after a promising 2020 campaign. If newly-hired general manager Joe Schoen has been influenced by Brandon Beane then Giants' fans can expect investments on the defensive line early and often—and the team needs more options off the edge. David Ojabo is a toolsy pass rusher with great length and burst. I'm impressed by his ability to string together moves and apply heat off the edge. He can pair with Azeez Ojulari to provide New York with an exciting young pair of pass rushers."
Pick for No. 5: Tyler Linderbaum, C, Iowa
Analysis: "The Giants would be smart to target the offensive line in the first round, perhaps multiple times to boost both Daniel Jones and Saquon Barkley."
Pick for No. 7: Ikem Ekwonu, G/OT, N.C. State (6-4, 320 pounds)
Analysis: "The Giants get another strong blocker with their two top-10 picks. Ekwonu is a strong, powerful run blocker with the nasty streak needed to dominate at times. He can play either inside or outside in the NFL, but with Linderbaum bolstering the middle, it would be nice to have Ekwonu flank left tackle Andrew Thomas on the right side."
Pick for No. 5: Ikem Ekwonu, OT, North Carolina State
Analysis: "Play him at guard, play him at tackle — just play him. He's a 6'4", 320-pound savage who will carve open lanes for Saquon Barkley and protect Daniel Jones."
Pick for No. 7: David Ojabo, EDGE, Michigan
Analysis: "Having added a game-changing offensive line piece with their first pick in this 2022 NFL Mock Draft, the Giants turn to the defensive side of the ball and do the same. Michigan's David Ojabo has all the pass-rush tools and athletic upside to be a monster in New York. While I believe his Michigan teammate is the better overall prospect, I prefer the schematic fit of Ojabo in the Giants defense."
Pick for No. 5: Ikem Ekwonu, OT, North Carolina State
Analysis: "After proving himself this season to be a skillful pass protector in addition to a bully in the run game, Ekwonu looks like just the kind of blocker Big Blue needs."
Pick for No. 7: Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame
Analysis: "At 6-4 and 220 pounds with massive range both in coverage and as a tackler, the two-time All-American can be utilized in an array of different manners. Pairing him with emerging standout Xavier McKinney would give the Giants a formidable tandem on the back end of their defense."
Pick for No. 5: George Karlaftis, EDGE, Purdue
Analysis: "The pick of George Karlaftis really boils down to a fit and situation where New York needs all the pass rush help they can get on the outside and I see him as a complementary skill set to the powerful interior defenders the Giants already have at their disposal."
Pick for No. 7: Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
Analysis: "The Giants enjoyed a promising second season from Andrew Thomas in 2021, but offensive lines aren't made to go by just a single player up front. And in adding Evan Neal to the mix, the Giants suddenly have a first-team "All-First Off The Bus" combination at tackle between Thomas and Neal. Size, power, and athleticism are hallmarks of both of their games and it should give whoever the next head coach is a nice starting point to work with up front."
Pick for No. 5: Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
Analysis: "Neal, the safer of the top two offensive tackles, doesn't wait long to hear his name called. And he'll play his home games in the same stadium as Ekwonu! I have Neal a smidge ahead of Ekwonu on my personal rankings and there's no doubt he's going to be a top-five pick."
Pick for No. 7: David Ojabo, EDGE, Michigan
Analysis: "The Giants' second top-10 pick flips to the defensive side of the ball where New York lands Hutchinson's running mate in Ojabo, who had 11 sacks despite still learning the nuances of playing football. He's new to the sport (he began playing football as a junior in high school) and his upside is arguably just as high as Hutchinson's. Combined with Neal, the Giants land two potential cornerstone players as they kick off a new front office and head coaching regime."
Pick for No. 5: Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame
Analysis: "Hamilton is pound-for-pound the best player in this draft. He immediately becomes a playmaker on the defensive side of the ball and can quickly mask some of the talent deficiencies that the Giants have at other defensive positions."
Pick for No. 7: George Karlaftis, EDGE, Purdue
Analysis: "The last time the Giants were consistent NFC contenders, they had a tough, physically-imposing defense with guys like Osi Umenyiora, Justin Tuck, and Jason Pierre-Paul."
Pick for No. 5: Ikem Ekwonu, OL, Alabama
Analysis: "Ekwonu is a masher with elite balance."
Pick for No. 7: Kayvon Thibodeaux, EDGE, Oregon
Analysis: "During his time in Buffalo, Joe Schoen was integral in the Bills drafting somewhat raw but freaky athletes. That's the philosophy he'd follow here with Thibodeaux."
Pick for No. 5: Ikem Ekwonu, OT, N.C. State
Analysis: "I love Ikem Ekwonu more than any other tackle in this class because he's not just talented with room to grow, but he plays with a mean demeanor. There's an edge to his game that is essential when you're asking a player to go against an elite edge rusher every week."
Pick for No. 7: Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State
Analysis: "The depth in the Ohio State receiving corps the last few years is incredible because Wilson could be the first WR taken in this draft, and I'm not sure he was the best receiver on his team last season... Adding Ekwonu and Wilson to the offense would be an excellent start for Brian Daboll's tenure in New York and help Daniel Jones tremendously."
Pick for No. 5: Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame
Analysis: "It's going to be hard for the Giants to pass on a player that some believe is the best all-around prospect in the draft. Hamilton's combination of height-weight-speed is difficult to ignore, and his ability to play both down in the box and deep in the middle of the field will be great for the Giants defense."
Pick for No. 7: Tyler Linderbaum, C, Iowa
Analysis: "The Giants' interior offensive line needs help and although this isn't a sexy pick, there hasn't been a better center prospect in years. Linderbaum has everything the Giants could want from a center."
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