The 2022 NFL Draft is rapidly approaching and the New York Giants are sitting comfortably with two top-ten selections in the first round. The Giants’ first selection is the fifth overall pick. The Giants are in line to land one of the draft class’s top prospects if they do not trade down. But in reality, it is the other New York team, the Jets, picking at four overall, that determines the New York Giants’ first-round draft plans.
The Giants and Jets seem to be in the market for the same prospects. The Giants are frequently mocked players like Kayvon Thibodeaux, Sauce Gardner, Evan Neal, and Ikem Ekwonu in mock drafts. However, the Jets seem to be mocked with the same prospects just one pick earlier. The Giants and Jets are both being linked with significant interest in the same top prospects.
The Jets could determine who the Giants draft
The New York Giants are targeting the likes of Kayvon Thibodeaux, Sauce Gardner, and top offensive tackles with their fifth overall pick in the draft. The New York Jets happen to be targeting the same players at four overall. This could lead the Giants to take their second-choice player based on whoever the Jets select.
According to Jordan Raanan, the four favorites for picks 5 and 7 are Evan Neal, Ikem Ekwonu, Kayvon Thibodeaux, and Sauce Gardner. He also mentioned that he would be shocked if the Giants passed on Evan Neal or Ikem Ekwonu at five overall. Essentially, if the Jets are taking a tackle, the Giants will be taking whichever of the top-two prospects that the Jets do not select.
Furthermore, the Jets could be in the market for a defensive skill-position prospect. The Giants have made their interest in prospects like Sauce Gardner and Kayvon Thibodeaux quite apparent. But so have the Jets. If Ranaan is correct, the Giants will take the top tackle available at five and probably look to take the best defender possible at seven.
The Jets are potentially in the market for a tackle or for one of the defenders that the Giants are enamored with. Whatever the Jets decide to do with the fourth overall pick will determine what the Giants do at picks five and seven.