With rumors swirling around the New York Giants and a potential gap in negotiations with quarterback Daniel Jones, we felt it was the right time to update our seven-round NFL Mock Draft.
In version 2.0, we operated under the assumption that Daniel Jones might not re-sign or might be on the franchise tag. Now that we know Jones is back, along with Darius Slayton and also Saquon Barkley for at least one more year, the Giants will enter this draft looking for a wide receiver, off-ball linebacker, safety, interior offensive line, and potentially a young running back to develop.
Mock Draft Rules
- I used the Pro Football Network’s Mock Draft Simulator
- I drafted solely based on who was available at the time the Giants were on the clock
- I made this a no-trade mock draft for the Giants
New York Giants Mock Draft
Rd 1 (Pick 25): Zay Flowers, WR Boston College
This was a tough choice because O’Cyrus Torrence was also on the board here, and he would be an immediate starter at guard for the Giants. However, the upside of Flowers was simply too good to pass up.
The former Golden Eagle is a smaller receiver at 5’10” and 175 pounds, but he is electric after the catch and has elite change of direction ability, which helps to make him a strong route runner. While some may see his size and determine he’s just a slot receiver, Brian Daboll will be more creative with the way he uses Flowers since the overall skill set and package are enticing and he has the versatility to make plays on the boundary as well.
Rd 2 (Pick 57): Jordan Battle, S Alabama
With Julian Love now in Seattle, the Giants need to pivot here and find his replacement. What better way to do that than with the player who was allegedly the vocal leader of an incredibly talented Alabama defense?
Battle is a great fit for the Giants because, like Love before him, he’s a versatile defender who has played both strong and free safety in multiple schemes, while also lining up at nickel cornerback or playing in the box. He’s a high-IQ player who is adept in both the run game and pass game and would be a great fit in New York.
Rd 3 (Pick 89): Joe Tippmann, OC Wisconsin
The reality is that Tippmann probably won’t make it this far, but if he does, the Giants should jump. With Nick Gates signing in Washington and no news coming from Jon Feliciano, the Giants could be looking for a brand-new starting center in 2023.
Wisconsin has produced tons of solid NFL offensive linemen and Tippmann will likely be another. He blends incredible raw power and athleticism, playing with a strong base and utilizing the defender’s momentum against them. Saquon Barkley is going to love running behind him.
Rd 4 (Pick 128): Tyjae Spears, RB Tulane
This is a fun pick because Spears is a home run threat on offense. He’s an explosive runner with easy speed needed to gain significant chunks of yardage. He’s a smaller back but runs hard through contact and sets up tacklers to gain extra yardage. His quick twice ability and elusiveness make him dynamic with the football in his hands, and I think Daboll would come up with creative ways to use him.
He would push Matt Breida for the backup job as a rookie and potentially slide into a bigger role if the Giants can’t work out a long-term deal with Saquon this season.
Rd 5 (Pick 160): Garrett Williams, CB Syracuse
Honestly, there’s a chance Williams goes in the third round, so we had to take him here. Williams is a physical and aggressive defender that showcases an alpha mentality whenever he’s on the field. He’s a tremendous athlete with good change-of-direction skills and showcased a strong ability to make plays on the ball. His draft stock will likely be impacted by his recovery from an ACL injury, but this is a risk the Giants can take this late in the draft.
Rd 5 (Pick 172): Ronnie Bell, WR Michigan
Even after signing Parris Campbell and drafting Zay Flowers, the Giants could use some depth in their receiving room. Isaiah Hodgins gives them a big body in the red zone and to move the sticks, and Darius Slayton and Campbell can both act as deep threats, so Bell fills a void as a reliable receiver who wins over the middle due to crisp routes and impressive suddenness in his movements. He is a prototypical “chain-mover” and that’s something every quarterback loves to have.
Rd 6 (Pick 209): Cam Jones, LB Indiana
Jones is a physical run-defender linebacker who packs some explosive punch in his tackles and was trending for a breakout year in 2022 before a foot injury ended his season halfway through. He’s athletic and long and has the movement skills to be a modern NFL linebacker. His past experience as a defensive back gives him the speed to make tackles in pursuit and should help him in coverage as well.
Rd 7 (Pick 240): Mekhi Blackmon, CB USC
Joe Schoen and Brandon Beane loved drafting cornerbacks late when they were together in Buffalo, and it worked well, hitting on some solid rotational players with 6th or 7th-round picks. Blackmon could be one of those selections. He plays with a fearlessness and aggression that will be welcomed in New York and has shown good ability to make plays on the ball in the air, so he would be an ideal special teams and depth piece at cornerback.
Rd 7 (Pick 243): Tayshawn Manning, OG Kentucky
The Giants are still a little thin in the middle of the offensive line, so why not take a shot on the 6’4″ and 335-pound Manning? He’s incredibly strong and plays with great punch in the run game. Obviously, there are some flaws in his game or he wouldn’t drop this far, but perhaps he can emerge as a backup guard for years? That would be great value here.
Rd 7 (Pick 254): Bumper Pool, LB Arkansas
Listen, we need to have fun here, so part of this was just for his name; however, Bumper Pool is also an athletic player and a tackling machine. To me, he would be a great last linebacker who could be a special teams ace at the NFL level.
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