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Get ready for mock draft season now that the New York Giants are heading home for the offseason.
With general manager Dave Gettleman and head coach Joe Judge gone, the Giants are conducting interviews to fill those positions as we speak.
Who gets hired for those positions will dictate how the Giants choose to utilize their two top 10 picks in the upcoming 2022 NFL draft.
Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz of USA TODAY believes the Giants will use those selections on a combination of need and best player available.
5. Giants – Ikem Ekwonu, OT, North Carolina State
Call it a Dave Gettleman tribute pick, as the outgoing general manager would surely admire the team taking one of his beloved “hog mollies.” 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 to bring on to stabilize a perpetually underperforming line that offers little long-term hope beyond left tackle Andrew Thomas.
The 6-foot-4, 320-pound redshirt sophomore was a unanimous All-American, a first team All-ACC selection and the recipient of the Jacobs Blocking Award this past season and would add some much-needed talent and toughness to the trenches.
7. Giants (from Bears) – Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame
Opting for safety this high might seem a bit of a luxury for a Giants team that has finally embraced a full rebuild. But Big Blue needs to stock up on top-tier talent where it can get it, and Hamilton surely fits that bill. 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.
The Giants are likely done with Jabrill Peppers and Logan Ryan will be 31 next month so this pick isn’t as much of a luxury as it seems. It’s never a reach to bring in a game-changing player on either side of the ball and Hamilton certainly has the potential to be that.
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