It is realistic to consider that the New York Giants will need a 2023 first-round pick if they want to target a young quarterback next year. With the Philadelphia Eagles executing a big trade with the New Orleans Saints, acquiring a 2023 first-rounder, Big Bue has their hands tied.
If new management wants to trade up and draft a young quarterback in 2023, they will need additional draft capital to do so. Having the necessary insurance for Daniel Jones is essential since spending $20+ million via the franchise tag or extension might be overzealous. However, there’s always the possibility DJ explodes onto the scene this year with new schematics and an adequate offensive line.
This mock trade scenario is heavily predicated on the Giants moving back multiple times, acquiring capital for the future, and another first-round pick for the 2022 draft.
New York Giants mock draft:
5th Overall: Alabama – OT Evan Neal
The biggest need for a Giants is right tackle at this point in time, despite management indicating they will take the best player available approach.
“We have enough needs on the roster that I think you can go and get the best player available,” Joe Schoen said. “This is how we are going to state [the board]. We are going to make it the best football player 1-to-7 or 1-to-13 [in the event of a trade back], who is the best football player. You can sometimes make a few mistakes if you design by need. ”
Evan Neal out of Alabama offers the most NFL-ready tackle in the draft, despite Ikem Ekwonu potentially having the higher ceiling. Neal has experience at right tackle and would fit perfectly into the Giants’ scheme with his massive frame and upside. If the Giants really want Jones to succeed, they need an impact player at RT, and Neal fits the bill perfectly.
7th Overall: Trade back with Seattle, who look to leapfrog Atlanta for Malik Willis
This is where things start to get exciting for the Giants, who desperately need another first-round pick for the future if they want a chance at landing CJ Stroud or Bryce Young. Some make the argument the Giants could be bad enough next season to end up with a top-5 pick once again, but given the change in the coaching staff, which is heavily focused on offensive success, chances are they won’t be any worse than last season.
Despite this quarterback class being rather thin, several teams desperately need a young player with upside. Both Malik Willis out of Liberty and Kenny Pickett from Pittsburgh represent the two best prospects at QB. A team will be looking to move up and grab their guy — the Giants happen to be in a perfect spot to capitalize.
The Seattle Seahawks recently traded Russell Wilson to the Denver Broncos for a monster haul, including a 2023 first-round pick. That pick will be Denver’s, so it could end up being a bit later in the draft after acquiring Wilson. However, the Giants need to take that risk, and they can still maintain their draft capital this year using this strategy.
Big Blue moves back from 7th overall to 9th overall, giving up their second-round pick in the process to acquire Denver’s 2023 first-rounder. Given it will likely be a back-end selection, Seattle sees the value in leapfrogging Atlanta and landing Malik Willis.
In conclusion, the Giants trade the 7th and 36th overall pick for the 9th and a 2023 first-rounder that originally belonged to Denver.
9th Overall: Trade back with the New Orleans Saints to 16
Here’s where things get even more exciting since the Saints realize that Kenny Pickett could easily be snatched off the board before their pick. The Giants, who just gave away their second-round pick are eyeing even more draft capital for 2022. Given their need, they decide to move back with the Saints, who guarantee Pickett’s availability.
In this scenario, Joe Schoen manages to trade back twice, adding a 2023 first-rounder and an extra 2022 first-rounder instead of holding onto their 2nd round pick.
16th overall: Clemson – CB Andrew Booth Jr.
With the 16th overall pick, the Giants decide to draft Clemson corner Andrew Booth Jr. after missing out on Sauce Gardner out of Cincinnati and Derek Stingley from LSU. Booth Jr. is an alpha dog in the secondary with solid man coverage traits.
Hiring Wink Martindale as the Giants’ defensive coordinator, the team needs outstanding man-coverage corners, and Booth can serve as the No. 2 behind Adoree Jackson. Another thing to like about Booth is he’s capable of transitioning to the slot, giving him valuable versatility.
19th overall: Boston College – OG Zion Johnson
Adding the 19th overall pick may be a bit expensive for the Giants to handle, but it is necessary given the foundation they’re trying to build this off-season. Unfortunately, this draft doesn’t land them the stud edge rusher they would like, but instead solves the OL once and for all, plugging left guard with Zion Johnson out of Boston College.
If the Giants manage to land Evan Neal and Johnson in the same draft, they can finally get a good look at Daniel Jones. Even if Jones fails to take a big step forward, they will have a tremendous situation waiting for a young rookie quarterback.
The Giants would only have one long-term free-agent signing on the line in Mark Glowinski, with the group mostly plugged by players on rookie contracts, specifically, both offensive tackles. Just imagine having both tackles and your quarterback on rookie contracts! That seems like the perfect strategy for a rebuild.