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ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. had rolled out numerous mock drafts in recent months and despite the 2021 NFL draft officially coming and going, he wasn’t quite ready to put a cap on that.
Instead, Kiper looked way ahead to the 2022 NFL draft and decided he’d take an early stab at that. And for the New York Giants, that means two first-round picks thanks to “Trader” Dave Gettleman’s wheeling and dealing.
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In fact, in Kiper’s 2022 mock the Giants select back-to-back at No. 8 and No. 9 overall.
First up? Michigan defensive end Aidan Hutchinson.
The Giants get back-to-back picks here, and we’ll start them off with a pass-rusher. I loved the value of getting edge rusher Azeez Ojulari in the second round last week, but I’d like to see more on that defensive front. Enter Hutchinson, who was creeping up my 2021 board before suffering a fractured leg in November and returning to school for another season. He’s 6-foot-6 and 269 pounds, and he had 4.5 sacks and 10 tackles for loss in 2019.
If Hutchinson is able to return to form in 2022 and maximize that extra year, he’ll enter next April’s draft as a highly-rated prospect. But will he be a fit for the Giants at that point? That’s the real question.
Next up is a pick that makes a bit more sense — Alabama offensive lineman Evan Neal.
In order to move up to draft Justin Fields in Round 1 last week, the Bears sent New York their first-rounder — and it could end up being a good one. After going defense at No. 8, the Giants can look to the offensive line at No. 9. Neal is versatile, with 13 starts at right tackle and 13 at left guard, and he’s 6-foot-7 and 360 pounds. There are plenty of spots up for grabs along that line, which should be the next area of focus on offense for the Giants.
Neal is an underclassman, so it’s entirely possible he does not declare for the 2022 NFL draft. If he does, he’s a big-time mauler capable of playing both inside and outside. That’s the sort of versatility head coach Joe Judge loves, and it would give the Giants some additional options.
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