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NFL.com scouting report for every Giants 2022 draft pick

THIBODEAUX-NEAL-TOMMY

The Giants' three-day draft was marked by quantity, which they hope will develop into excellent quality.

The 11-man draft class is their largest since they selected 11 players in 2003. The haul this year included three offensive linemen, two linebackers, two defensive backs, an edge rusher, wide receiver, tight end and defensive tackle.

"I think we added competition and depth," general manager Joe Schoen said. "Hopefully as many of these guys turn into starters as we can, but again we are not going to hand anybody anything. We want them to come in, compete, work hard and, again, we want to see progress. I've said that since day one and I think this will lead us to that."

So, what does each player bring to the table?

Below you will find NFL.com's scouting report for the entire 2022 class:

View photos from the college careers of the Giants' entire 11-player draft class

ROUND 1

Kayvon Thibodeaux, EDGE, Oregon

Pick: 5 | Height: 6-4 | Weight: 254 lbs.

Thibodeaux (pronounced TIB-uh-doh) was the consensus No. 1 recruit of the 2019 class coming out of Los Angeles' Oaks Christian High School. The USA Today High School Defensive Player of the Year had 54 sacks in four years (two at Dorsey High School) and enrolled early at Oregon to contribute immediately the following fall. He was an honorable mention All-Pac-12 pick and the conference Defensive Freshman of the Year in 2019 with 35 tackles, including a team-high 14 tackles for loss with nine sacks, three pass breakups and one blocked kick in 14 games with five starts. He led Oregon with 9.5 tackles for loss and three sacks (38 total tackles, three pass breakups) in seven starts as a sophomore, collecting third-team Associated Press All-American honors, winning the Pac-12 Morris Trophy as its top lineman and earning the Pac-12 Championship Game MVP award. He had 12 quarterback hurries, two tackles for loss with one sack vs. USC in the conference title game. Though Thibodeaux missed time with an ankle injury in 2021, he was still named a first-team Associated Press All-American and finalist for the Chuck Bednarik, Ted Hendricks and Bronko Nagurski Awards. The first-team all-conference selection led Oregon with 12 tackles for loss and 7.0 sacks among his 50 total tackles in 11 games (nine starts) before opting out of the team's bowl game to prepare for the NFL draft.

STRENGTHS

  • Scouts say he's fueled by solid internal drive.
  • Long, strong, explosive and plays hard.
  • Initial movements off the snap are fast and furious.
  • Speed to consistently stress high side of the rush.
  • Effective shoulder dip and lean into the turn.
  • Firm base makes it hard to redirect or wash him down once he's to an edge.
  • Wicked closing kick to the quarterback.
  • Heavy hands into entry point in speed-to-power.
  • Generates decent bull-rush despite lack of desired bend.
  • Plays with effective use of length and upper-body power.
  • Twitchy hands get on top of blockers first.
  • Creates space through forceful punch and extend.
  • Treats tight ends to shock-and-awe power at point of attack.
  • Back-side burst to wipe out running backs and ruin the play call.
  • Pursues ball-carrier with extended motor and plus speed.

Evan Neal, OT, Alabama

Pick: 7 | Height: 6-7 | Weight: 337 lbs.

Neal's size and athleticism made him one of the top-10 recruits in the country out of IMG Academy in Florida. Alabama coaches wasted no time getting him on the field, starting him in all 13 games at right guard in 2019 en route to an SEC All-Freshman Team selection. Neal moved to right tackle in 2020, leading the team's offense for all 13 games on its way to a CFP National Championship. In his final collegiate season, he was voted a team captain, started 15 games at left tackle, earned AP second-team All-American honors, and was recognized as a first-team All-SEC selection. Two of his uncles played football with the Miami Hurricanes and in the NFL: running back Cleveland Gary (first-round pick of the Rams in 1989) and defensive lineman Jimmie Jones (third-round pick of Dallas in 1990, where he won two Super Bowls).

STRENGTHS

  • Has played against top-level competition over his three seasons.
  • Much quicker after dropping 15 pounds in the offseason.
  • Well-schooled in technical aspects of the position.
  • Knows how it is supposed to look and can replicate it on consistent basis.
  • Moves with fluidity and body control.
  • Patient and accurate fitting up into initial contact.
  • Strikes with proper leverage and explosive lift at point of attack.
  • Hand placement and leg churn carves out space with down block.
  • Variety of pass-set angles and techniques are at his disposal.
  • Twitchy out of his stance and into his slides.
  • Keeps the majority of weight on inside leg in pass sets.
  • Well-timed hands put his length in play early in the rep.
  • Times up punches to maximize his length.
  • Nimble and capable to redirect and slide to inside move.
  • Quick to reset a discarded punch attempt.
  • Good release/mirror/catch technique versus spin moves.

ROUND 2

Wan'Dale Robinson, WR, Kentucky

Pick: 43 | Height: 5-8 | Weight: 178 lbs.

"Dale" transferred from Nebraska to Kentucky for the 2021 season to be closer to his hometown of Frankfort -– his grandmother's post-COVID complications were one factor. He excelled at a second-team All-SEC level by ranking third in the country with a school-record 104 receptions that covered 1,334 yards, also a Kentucky record. He scored seven times through the air while rushing for 111 yards (seven carries, 15.9 per att.) and returning punts (6-20-3.3) in 13 games with 12 starts. Robinson was named the 2022 Citrus Bowl MVP (10-170-17.0 receiving), which the Wildcats won over Iowa. He was a four-star recruit and Mr. Football in the state of Kentucky as a senior at Western Hills High School (6,795 career rushing yards, averaged 11 yards per carry). Robinson was an honorable mention All-Big Ten Conference pick and Freshman All-American for the Huskers in 2019, starting four of 10 games played (40-453-11.3, two TDs receiving; 88-340-3.9, three TDs rushing; 11-236-21.5 kick returns; three starts at receiver, one at running back). He had won the Paul Hornung Award as Kentucky's top high school football player in 2018 and was a finalist for the Paul Hornung Award as college football's most versatile player the following fall. Robinson was an honorable mention all-conference pick in 2020, as well, leading Nebraska with 51 receptions for 461 receiving yards (9.0 per, one TD) while starting six games outside and two at running back (46-240-5.2, one TD rushing). His father, Dale, played football at Western Kentucky.

STRENGTHS

  • Plays with ideal toughness and competitiveness.
  • Gadget-guy talent for creative play-callers.
  • Juice to consistently uncover on option routes.
  • Leverages the coverage on downfield breaks.
  • Talented with the ball, possessing excellent vision.
  • Has feet to slip out of traffic untouched.
  • Adequate acceleration to gain early vertical separation.
  • Eludes route traffic and tracks throws effectively.
  • Quick with his change of direction.

ROUND 3

Joshua Ezeudu, OL, North Carolina

Pick: 67 | Height: 6-4 | Weight: 308 lbs.

Ezeudu (pronounced eh-ZOO-do) played in one game as a reserve his first year on campus but remained off the field the rest of the year to retain eligibility. He then started seven of 13 appearances as a redshirt freshman the next season (two at left tackle, five at left guard). Ezeudu missed the first two games of 2020 with a lower-body injury but still played well enough in his 10 starts (three at right tackle, seven at left guard) to receive third-team All-ACC accolades from league coaches. He was an honorable mention all-conference pick in 2021, starting nine games at left guard and two at left tackle.

STRENGTHS

  • Big, broad frame with plus athleticism.
  • Projects as guard but can play tackle in a pinch.
  • Rapid-fire foot chop into and through the block.
  • Size creates momentum to displace down block.
  • Keeps eyes on second-level target during combo blocks.
  • Breezy skip pulls with athleticism to connect in space.
  • Feints a punch to draw defender's hands early.
  • Pass protection should benefit from background as a tackle.
  • Well-prepared to identify and eliminate twists.
  • Loose hips bolster recovery when beaten by rush.

Cordale Flott, CB, LSU

Pick: 81 | Height: 6-1 | Weight: 175 lbs.

The three-star recruit from Saraland, Alabama, played in 14 games with one start as a true freshman (15 tackles, four pass breakups) for the national champions. He started all 10 games at the nickel spot in 2020 (43 tackles, 4.5 for loss, four pass breakups) and then lined up at cornerback, nickel and safety during the 2021 season because of injuries in the Tigers' secondary (41 tackles, one interception, three pass breakups).

STRENGTHS

  • Tall with long arms.
  • Battles his tail off, play in and play out.
  • Gains ground quickly from his backpedal.
  • Easy hip swivel helps to transition in any direction.
  • Runs well and makes up ground quickly from behind.
  • Twitch and slap talent to disrupt the catch.
  • Plays with good discipline in zone coverages.
  • Active and willing to support the run from the slot.

ROUND 4

Daniel Bellinger, TE, San Diego State

Pick: 112 | Height: 6-5 | Weight: 253 lbs.

This Las Vegas product was a two-star recruit despite receiving first-team All-Nevada honors as a senior tight end/linebacker (and starring in basketball and track) at Palo Verde High School. Instead of taking a redshirt year in 2018, he played the final nine games as a reserve (1-10). Bellinger then started 11 of 13 appearances the following fall (15-201-13.4, three TDs) before garnering honorable mention All-Mountain West Conference accolades in 2020 (21-203-9.7 in eight starts). He started all 13 games for the Aztecs in 2021, catching a career-high 31 passes for 357 yards (11.5 per rec.) and two scores.

STRENGTHS

  • Well-proportioned, muscular build.
  • Patient and poised getting into block fits.
  • Features strong hands and contact balance to sustain his work.
  • Technically sound when asked to help in pass protection.
  • Nimble, agile feet as a route runner.
  • Generally clean getting in and out of his route breaks.
  • Quick catch-to-run transitions underneath.
  • Shows ability to get big in contested catch battles.

Dane Belton, S, Iowa

Pick: 114 | Height: 6-1 | Weight: 205 lbs.

Belton was an all-state pick at Tampa's Jesuit High School, but his father, Danny, grew up in Iowa and was a big Hawkeyes fan. Dane decided to wear the black and gold and was rewarded with four starts at linebacker in eight appearances his true freshman season (33 tackles, two for loss). Belton was an honorable mention all-conference pick in 2020, starting all eight games at the "cash" safety/linebacker spot (33 tackles, 1.5 for loss, five pass breakups). He became a turnover machine while splitting 14 starts between cash linebacker and strong safety in 2021, tying for fourth in the FBS with five interceptions and garnering first-team All-Big Ten Conference honors (46 tackles, three for loss, seven pass breakups).

STRENGTHS

  • Size/physicality to improve as a tackler.
  • Play strength for coverage on Y tight ends.
  • Physical with his route redirection in zone.
  • Crowds target as early as possible inside the route.
  • Marries zone movements to the quarterback's eyes.
  • Overlaps coverage underneath to make plays in passing lane.
  • Plays with ready hands to intercept what comes his way.
  • Does a good job imposing size to disrupt catch attempts.
  • Talent to locate and track the football downfield.

ROUND 5

Micah McFadden, LB, Indiana

Pick: 146 | Height: 6-1 | Weight: 240 lbs.

While current Indiana head coach Tom Allen coached at South Florida, his son played with McFadden at Plant High School. Allen managed to recruit McFadden to IU despite the linebacker being named the Florida Player of the Year with 211 tackles and 39 tackles for loss as a senior. He played in all 12 games as a reserve his true freshman campaign in 2018 (20 tackles) before earning honorable mention All-Big Ten Conference honors in 2019 (team-high 61 tackles, 10 for loss with 1.5 sacks, two interceptions in 13 games, 12 starts). McFadden was named a third-team Associated Press All-American and first-team all-league pick in 2020, leading his squad with 58 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss with six sacks and two picks in eight games (seven starts). The two-time team captain was a second-team all-conference selection in 2021, leading the Hoosiers with 77 tackles, 15.5 for loss with 6.5 sacks, three pass breakups and two forced fumbles in 12 starts.

STRENGTHS

  • Two years as team captain.
  • Densely muscled with a neck the size of a quad.
  • Trusts his eyes and takes in as many clues as possible.
  • Instinctive reading misdirection and screens.
  • Reads block development like a running back.
  • Triggers into the soft spots of the defense for TFLs.
  • Peripheral vision helps him maneuver through traffic.
  • Drives chest through runner's hips and wraps to finish.
  • Core special-teams experience.

D.J. Davidson, DT, Arizona State

Pick: 147 | Height: 6-3 | Weight: 327 lbs.

As a redshirt freshman in 2018, Davidson played in eight games as a reserve (10 tackles, 3.5 for loss with two sacks) before a fibula injury ended his season prematurely. He lost 25 pounds while rehabbing his leg, and the improved movement helped him start 12 of 13 contests in 2019 (51 tackles, 4.5 for loss with 1.5 sacks). Davidson started all four of the Sun Devils' games in 2020 (19 tackles, 1.5 for loss), and in 2021, Pac-12 coaches awarded him second-team all-league status as he excelled in 12 starts for ASU (57 tackles, 6.5 for loss, four pass breakups).

STRENGTHS

  • Impressive bubble with wide, girthy base.
  • Good lateral quickness to challenge reach blocks.
  • Pops and shoves blocker to gain early traction.
  • Plays with adequate feel and response to down blocks.
  • Anchors quickly to slow double-team momentum.
  • Shows ability to stack or slide past blocker with hand usage.
  • Slides with lateral blocks, maintaining gap integrity.

Marcus McKethan, OL, North Carolina

Pick: 173 | Height: 6-7 | Weight: 340 lbs.

McKethan (pronounced muh-KEE-thuhn) moved from South Carolina to North Carolina for college, racking up 543 knockdown blocks his senior year at Barnwell High School. He played in five games as a reserve his redshirt freshman season, and then became the starter at right guard for 12 of 13 appearances as a sophomore. McKethan earned honorable mention All-ACC notice in 2020 after starting all 12 games at right guard and repeated that honor in 2021 for his play in all 13 games at right guard.

STRENGTHS

  • Enormous human with exceptional size and length.
  • Will hit with knock-back power.
  • Can be overwhelming when he gets the blocks centered up.
  • Better movement than expected for a player of his size.
  • Rolls straight downhill as a double-team blocker.
  • Plays with attention to technique.
  • Body control is solid when pulling across the formation and finding his target.
  • No bull rushers allowed.
  • Locks out arms and ends the pass rush.
  • Length helps to corral rush counters.

Darrian Beavers, LB, Cincinnati

Pick: 182 | Height: 6-4 | Weight: 237 lbs.

Beavers began his career at UConn but transferred back home to Cincinnati (he was a three-sport athlete at Colerain High School) after the 2018 season. He actually led UConn with four sacks playing defensive end in 2018 (23 tackles, 4.5 for loss, two pass break-ups) one year after playing all 12 games for the Huskies as a true freshman (15 tackles, three sacks). In his first year with the Bearcats, Beavers started 10 of 14 contests (36 tackles, 1.5 for loss). His game took a step up in 2020, when he garnered second-team All-American Athletic Conference honors (58 tackles, 7.5 for loss with 2.5 sacks, two interceptions, four pass break-ups). Beavers not only graduated to first-team all-conference honors in 2021 (102 tackles, 11.5 for loss, with 4.5 sacks, one interception, two pass break-ups, two forced fumbles in 14 starts) but was also named a finalist for the Butkus Award, given to the nation's top linebacker.

STRENGTHS

  • Big, strong and physical.
  • Shows ability to take on or slip a block.
  • Well-timed strikes into climbing blockers.
  • Powerful base to play under and through an angle block.
  • Effective recognition of play development.
  • Maintains discipline with backside duties.
  • Effective getting around blocker on blitzes.
  • Awareness of incoming routes in spot drops.
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