NFL DRAFT PREVIEW: NEW YORK GIANTS

Coach: Brian Daboll (first season as head coach)
Offensive Coordinator: Mike Kafka
Defensive Coordinator: Wink Martindale

Offensive scheme: New head coach Brian Daboll comes from Buffalo where he ran a high-octane offense led by its superstar quarterback Josh Allen. He won’t have Allen here with the Giants, but he will be looking to use his scheme to unlock the potential of Daniel Jones. Daboll professionally came of age with New England and Alabama, where offenses are designed to use formations and motions to open up holes and neutralize strengths in the opposition defense. Daboll’s offense will be a significant departure from the more conservative offense run by previous offensive coordinator Jason Garrett.

Defensive scheme: Wink Martindale was not retained by the Baltimore Ravens following a 2021 season in which the Ravens finished 24th in total yards against per game and 18th in points allowed. The previous two seasons, the Ravens were the 3rd best, then best defense in the league. Martindale’s offense is predicated first and foremost with getting pressure on the quarterback. This can be from base fronts, disguised blitzes from linebackers or secondary, or all of the above. He’ll also run mostly press man, which will be a departure from the Patrick Graham’s defense, which leaned zone. With that in mind, we may see some growing pains in Year 1 as the defensive philosophy will create some odd fits with existing personnel.

The Giants, as of April 18th, own nine total picks in the 2022 draft, including the fifth and seventh overall picks. New GM Joe Schoen and new head coach Brian Daboll will look to strengthen their foundation with those two early picks.
Giants Draft Picks:

Round	Overall Pick	Value (JJ)	Value (RH)	Notes
1	5	1700	468
1	7	1500	426	From Chicago (Justin Fields trade)
2	36	540	166
3	67	255	75
3	81	185	55	From Miami (draft pick swap in 2021)
4	112	70	30	From Chicago (Justin Fields trade)
5	147	31	14
5	173	20.6	8	From Kansas City via Baltimore (Ben Bederson trade)
6	182	17	7

Total Draft Points:
Jimmy Johnson model: 4318.6
Rich Hill model: 1249

About Draft point models
The first model for assigning a point value to draft picks was designed by Hall of Fame coach Jimmy Johnson during his time with the Dallas Cowboys. The valuations are designed to be used as a benchmark when determining the value of draft picks being traded between teams. The values are not hard coded and teams may have different valuations based on need or organizational philosophy. The Rich Hill model was derived, at least in part, due to a differing philosophy of pick value by Patriots coach Bill Belichick. As you may see in the chart above, the revised model puts an added emphasis on early picks and smooths out the value later on in the draft.

What will the Giants do at the draft?
The Giants are in an enviable situation heading into the 2022 NFL Draft, with the fifth and seventh overall picks. The question is what they do with those picks. The top of the draft is expected to feature pass rushers, offensive linemen, and secondary. The new defense could use a new pass rusher to pair with Azeez Ojulari. The offensive line could always use help, but the left tackle spot is solid, with 2020 fourth overall pick Andrew Thomas becoming the player they hoped for.

Different philosophies on both sides of the ball may result in personnel changes that may not be apparent, especially on defense. The linebacker corps in particular can expect a number of changes – not just due to the change but also as the unit (aside from Ojulari) was a weakness last year.

Roster Analysis
The Giants are a team in transition and while they have some talent on the roster, the depth is non-existent, especially on defense, which is oddly only two deep at most positions. The team is against the cap, so they’ll look to use this draft as a way to fill in the gaps and push ahead with their changes. The biggest change they made in free agency was to sign former Colts RG Mark Glowinski as they made wholesale changes to their offensive line. RT Nate Solder, RG Will Hernandez, C Billy Price, and LG Matt Skura all left the team in free agency and, with only two of the spots filled (Glowinski at RG and Feliciano either at LG or C), there are some openings on the o-line. Depth players were added, including: QB Tyrod Taylor, backup T Matt Gono, edge rusher Jihad Ward, NT Justin Ellis, RB Matt Breida, G Max Garcia.

Depth Charts
Quarterback
Starter: Daniel Jones
Reserves: Tyrod Taylor, Brian Lewerke, Davis Webb
Expected Draft Action: None. The new regime has put the dreaded vote of confidence on incumbent QB Daniel Jones, but Jones is getting an opportunity that he hasn’t had in the past – to run a dynamic offense that accentuates his abilities. The Giants did however, get a good insurance policy in veteran QB Tyrod Taylor.

Running Back
Starter: Saquon Barkley
Reserves: Matt Breida, Gary Brightwell, Antonio Williams, Sandro Platzgummer
Expected Draft Action: Depth. The Giants are likely to take a running back at some point in the draft. While Saquon Barkley has the talent to be a top running back, his last three seasons have been plagued by injuries and inconsistency. 2021 was a poor year following his return from the torn ACL he suffered in 2020 – Barkley was evidently less explosive than he was pre-injury which Giants fans will be hoping was a temporary matter. The depth is virtually non-existent behind him – Breida is capable of 5-7 touches per game, but Brightwell and Williams are completely unproven.
Potential fit: Isiah Pacheco, Rutgers; Trestan Ebner, Baylor; Ty Chandler, UNC; CJ Verdell, Oregon

Wide Receiver
Starters: X WR Kenny Golladay, Z WR Kadarius Toney, Slot WR Sterling Shepard
Reserves: X Darius Slayton; Z: Collin Johnson, David Sills, Robert Foster, Travis Toivonen; Slot Richie James, CJ Board, Alex Bachman, Austin Proehl
Expected Draft Action: None. Golladay, Slayton, Toney, and Shepard represents a strong foursome in the Giants WR room. However, the issue with each of these receivers is their ability to stay on the field – only Golladay started more than half the team’s games (and he also missed three games), but if even three of the four can maintain some level of health, this is a sneaky-good unit. Collin Johnson is a big target who has the potential to grow into a starter as a possession receiver.

Tight End
Starter: Ricky Seals-Jones
Reserves: Jake Hausmann, Chris Myarick, Rysen John
Expected Draft Action: Depth. With the departures of Evan Engram and Kyle Rudolph in the offseason, the Giants are extremely thin at tight end. They were able to sign Ricky Seals-Jones from Washington and while he is a perfectly capable TE, the other players on the roster are specifically blockers who should not be trusted at all in the passing game.
Potential fit:

Offensive Line
Starters: LT Andrew Thomas, LG Max Garcia, C Jon Feliciano, RG Mark Glowinski, RT Matt Peart
Reserves: T Devery Hamilton, Matt Gono, Korey Cunningham, Roy Mbaeteka; G Shane Lemieux, Wes Martin, Ben Brederson, Jamil Douglas; C Nick Gates
Expected Draft Action: Starters: LG, C, RT. The Giants completely purged their offensive line this offseason and will need at least two players who can reasonably start if not Week 1, then as the season progresses. Thomas and Glowinski are the only obvious starters, though Garcia and Feliciano both have experience at LG and C, while Peart and Gono are reserves but as of now are expected to compete for the RT spot if nothing happens on draft day. At the very least, expect a RT to be taken and watch for an interior lineman to go on Day 2 or 3.
Potential Fits: C Tyler Linderbaum, Iowa; G Kenyon Green, Texas A&M; G/C Zion Johnson; RT Tyler Smith, Tulsa; G Cole Strange, Chattanooga; G Logan Bruss, Wisconsin; G Luke Goedeke, Central Michigan; C Luke Fortner, Kentucky; C Chasen Hines, LSU; RT Max Mitchell, Louisiana; RT/G Jamaree Salyer, Georgia; T/G Rasheed Walker, Michigan State; G/RT Spencer Burford, UTSA; RT/G Vederian Lowe, Illinois

Defensive Line
Starters: DE Leonard Williams, 3T Dexter Lawrence, NT Justin Ellis
Reserves: DE Jihad Ward; 3T Raymond Johnson; NT David Moa
Expected Draft Action: NT and depth. This may be a function of the Giants needing to work through their cap issues, but if relying on the team’s depth charts, this team is unfinished, especially here on the defensive line, where only six players are under contract. Starting DE and DT are sorted with Leonard Williams and Dexter Lawrence, while Jihad Ward is a solid rotational player. Justin Ellis is nominally listed as the starting nose, but he’s more of a rotational player, they’ll need to focus on getting a big man for the middle of their defensive front.
Potential Fits: DT: Eyoima Uwazurike, Iowa State (5T/DT); Neil Farrell, LSU (NT); DJ Davidson, Arizona State (NT); Travis Jones, UCONN (NT); John Ridgeway, Arkansas (NT, 3T, 5T); Jayden Peavy, Texas A&M (3T, NT)

Edge Rushers
Starter: Azeez Ojulari
Reserves: Elerson Smith, Niko Lalos
Expected Draft Action: Depth. Whether they get a specialized pass rusher or a Sam with pass rushing capabilities, the Giants will be looking at someone who can get to the quarterback. We’ll look at the SLBs in the next grouping but the specialized pass rushers will be in demand here as well.
Potential Fits: Kayvon Thibodeau, Oregon; David Ojabo, Michigan (will miss 2022 season); Boye Mafe, Minnesota; Arnold Ebiketie, Penn State; Nik Bonitto, Oklahoma; Sam Williams, Ole Miss; DeAngelo Malone, Western Kentucky; Domonique Robinson, Miami (OH); Drake London, USC

Linebackers
Starters: WLB Tae Crowder, MLB Blake Martinez, SLB Quincy Roche
Reserves: WLB Carter Coughlin, Justin Hilliard; MLB Cam Brown, TJ Brunson, Omari Cobb; SLB Trent Harris, Oshane Ximines
Expected Draft Action: WLB, SLB. The Giants linebacker unit was hampered by the torn ACL suffered by MLB Blake Martinez in Week 3, but with him coming back, the focus should be on upgrading the other positions through the draft. If they are willing to use a top 10 pick, Devin Lloyd would be a great fit for this defense, as he has enough versatility to play the SAM linebacker and be utilized as a pass rusher when needed. Any player selected will need to be proficient in man defense and may be asked to go after the QB.
Potential Fits: SLB Lloyd, Utah; Channing Tindall, Georgia; Chad Muma, Wyoming; Leo Chenal, Wisconsin
WLB Christian Harris, Alabama; Zakoby McClain, Auburn; Brian Asamoah, Oklahoma; Terrell Bernard, Baylor

Cornerbacks
Starters: James Bradberry (requested a trade), Adoree’ Jackson, Darnay Holmes
Reserves: Jarren Williams, Rodarius Williams, Aaron Robinson
Expected Draft Action: Starter. The Giants are honouring Bradberry’s request for a trade and, one would imagine, a deal would get done before the draft, which could bring additional assets to the team. As such, the Giants will look to draft his replacement, landing them squarely in the mix for Gardner or Stingley, the two top corners in the draft. Either corner would work well with Wink Martindale’s defense, as they each specialize in press-man defense. If they wish to wait for a corner, McDuffie may be available in round 2 and McCreary might be there in round 3.
Potential Fit: Ahmad Sauce Garnder, Cincinnati; Derek Stingley Jr, LSU; Trent McDuffie, Washington; Kyler Gordon, Washington; Roger McCreary, Auburn; Joshua Williams, Fayetteville St (developmental); Alontae Taylor, Tennessee; Jalyn Armour-Davis, Alabama; Tariq Woolen, UTSA (developmental)

Safeties
Starters: FS Xavier McKinney, SS Julian Love
Reserves: None listed
Expected Draft Action: Depth. The Giants have two safeties listed in their depth chart, one for each position. They’ll be looking at safeties who can play in man or zone – a strong safety should be able to match up with tight ends in space.
Potential Fits: Dax Hill, Michigan (FS/NCB); Percy Butler, Louisiana (FS); Delarrin Turner-Yell, Oklahoma (both); Verone McKinley, Oregon (FS/NCB); Dane Belton, Iowa (SS); Smoke Monday, Auburn (SS); Nick Cross, Maryland (SS); Jaquan Brisker, Penn State (SS); Kyle Hamilton, Notre Dame (FS)