All season long, the New York Giants have kept a close eye on the success (or lack thereof) of the Chicago Bears, whose first-round pick in the 2022 NFL draft they own.
Big Blue, of course, acquired the Bears’ pick in the trade on draft night of the 2021 NFL draft.
Going into Week 12, the Giants could have been picking as high as four if a few games shook out the right way. As it turned out, the Giants upset the Philadelphia Eagles and the Bears beat the Detroit Lions, leaving New York projected to select sixth and seventh overall.
The Giants have been lacking in the offensive line department for way too long and sure enough, in Touchdown Wire’s latest mock draft, they add two offensive linemen to help protect Daniel Jones.
First up, at No. 6 overall, the Giants select Alabama offensive tackle Evan Neal.
Ultimately, who gets to make this pick might determine how the New York Giants approach the 2022 season. With reports surfacing this weekend that David Gettleman is the next face to be departing town, there is a chance that a new general manager decides to go in a different direction at quarterback. Even with the questions around this class, we are getting into a range where a GM might feel comfortable addressing QB.
However, offensive line remains a big issue in New York, both on the inside and on the edges. Evan Neal, the mountain of an offensive tackle, gives the Giants an option on the outside.
The Giants need to rebuild their offense, and adding a potential cornerstone tackle is a good first step. Provided, of course, they decide to rebuild around Daniel Jones.
With the very next pick, the Giants stick with the O-Line, adding Kenyon Green from Texas A&M.
Would the New York Giants actually double-dip on the offensive line? Would they draft an interior offensive lineman inside the top ten? Is everyone taking crazy pills?
Again, a lot depends on who is making the decisions, and how they feel about Daniel Jones. But with the assumption that Jones gets another year to prove his value to the organization, the Giants indeed address the offensive line with the second of their picks in the first round. Having addressed the edge with Evan Neal, now they turn inside, adding Kenyon Green from Texas A&M.
When you think of an interior offensive lineman, you probably think first of the run game. Green checks that box.
Ironically enough, the Giants’ arch rivals, the Philadelphia Eagles, are currently slated to pick right after them — just like they were slated to in the 2021 draft when they traded up to the pick ahead of the Giants to draft DeVonta Smith.
Of course, last week, reports surfaced that Dave Gettleman would likely be out as general manager following the 2021 season. With the Giants holding two first-round picks in the upcoming draft, it is crucial they find the right candidate to be their new GM to make the picks worth their while.
With the offensive line constantly being a need for Big Blue for the last several years, many fans would be happy if the Giants addressed their O-Line issues once and for all.
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