Entering the draft with several needs, the Giants have the historically rare opportunity to make two picks in the top 10. But the team is open to trading down and accumulating more capital to address its bevy of deficiencies. Big Blue may have an opportunity to do so.
New Giants GM Joe Schoen said (via Pro Football Focus’ Mike Kaye, on Twitter) he has received calls on the team’s first-round picks — Nos. 5 and 7, creating an interesting decision. The Giants’ previous regime trading down last year allowed this one to hold the No. 7 overall choice. Should New York hang onto its 2022 first-rounders, the team would join only Cleveland (Baker Mayfield and Denzel Ward, in 2018) and Washington (LaVar Arrington and Chris Samuels, in 2000) by making two top-eight picks in a single draft this century.
The Giants have consistently been connected to tackles. And, considering the Panthers’ potential to grab a tackle at No. 6, the Giants keeping their No. 5 slot makes sense. The team’s preference may not match the consensus at this position.
The Giants have done extensive work on Mississippi State tackle Charles Cross, and ESPN.com’s Matt Miller notes the connection between these two parties continues to heat up. Cross ranks as this draft’s third-best tackle by most, though USA Today slots him first in this group. But some in the Giants’ front office view the promising pass protector as a Day 1 right tackle starter, per Miller. A sizable Giants contingent attended Cross’ pro day last month, and SNY’s Ralph Vacchiano adds the team might be prepared to select the ex-Bulldogs left tackle even if Alabama’s Evan Neal and North Carolina State’s Ikem Ekwonu remain on the board.
The Texans are not a lock to take one of those two blockers at No. 3, and the Jets could opt to take a pass rusher or a cornerback at 4. Should the Jaguars and Lions start the draft with D-linemen, as expected, that would give the Giants their pick at tackle. A similar scenario played out in 2020, when the Giants took Andrew Thomas fourth overall. Thomas is entrenched as the team’s left tackle, and the Schoen regime signed Mark Glowinski and Jon Feliciano this offseason. The Giants still need a right tackle, however. It would be quite surprising if they exited Round 1 without one.
Trade down if at all possible. From 5 or 7 or even both.
They have so many needs.