Bucky Brooks updates Giants' prediction in latest mock draft
While free agency is beginning to slow down, draft season is heating up.
NFL.com analyst Bucky Brooks recently released his latest mock draft, where he changed his pick for the Giants at No. 25.
In his previous mock draft, Brooks predicted the Giants add a playmaker in the form of Boston College wide receiver Zay Flowers. While his most recent projection still has the Giants adding to the offense, Brooks now believes GM Joe Schoen will boost Daniel Jones' protection up front with the selection of Minnesota center John Michael Schmitz.
"Beefing up the interior of the offensive line is critical to helping the recently extended Daniel Jones flourish as a franchise quarterback," Brooks wrote.
The 6-foot-3, 301-pound lineman has started at center for the Golden Gophers in each of the last three seasons. He was named All-Big Ten Honorable Mention following the 2020 campaign in which he started six of Minnesota's seven games.
Schmitz then started all 13 games in 2021 on his way to being selected Second-Team All-Big Ten by the conference's coaches. But the center was at his best this past season, as he started all 12 regular-season games for Minnesota before being named First-Team All-American and First-Team All-Big Ten.
"Schmitz is a strong, tough and reliable center prospect out of Minnesota," NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah wrote in his top 50 draft prospect rankings. "In the pass game, he plays with knee bend, balance and awareness. He uses his inside hand as an under hook to latch and control blockers. He is rarely out of position or driven back. In the run game, he can latch, sink his weight and create movement. He is under control working up to the second level...
"Overall, Schmitz should be a quality starting center as soon as he enters the league."
NFL Media draft analyst Lance Zierlein listed Schmitz's pro comparison as 2022 Pro Bowl center Ben Jones.
View photos of EVERY player projected to the Giants by draft analysts in mock drafts.
Zay Flowers, WR, Boston College
Quentin Johnston, WR, TCU
Joey Porter Jr., CB, Penn State
Jalin Hyatt, WR, Tennessee
Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois
Jordan Addison, WR, USC
Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State
Deonte Banks, CB, Maryland
Nolan Smith, EDGE, Georgia
Emmanuel Forbes, CB, Mississippi State
DJ Turner, CB, Michigan
Drew Sanders, LB, Arkansas
Joe Tippmann, IOL, Wisconsin
Brian Branch, DB, Alabama
O'Cyrus Torrence, G, Florida
Dalton Kincaid, TE, Utah
John Michael Schmitz, IOL, Minnesota
Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame
Josh Downs, WR, North Carolina
Cam Smith, CB, South Carolina
Trenton Simpson, LB, Clemson
Jack Campbell, LB, Iowa
Kelee Ringo, CB, Georgia
Derick Hall, EDGE, Auburn
Steve Avila, IOL, TCU
Will McDonald IV, DE, Iowa State
A.T. Perry, WR, Wake Forest
Tyrique Stevenson, CB, Miami
Tyler Scott, WR, Cincinnati
Daiyan Henley, LB, Washington State
Jammie Robinson, S, Florida State
Kendre Miller, RB, TCU
Dorian Williams, LB, Tulane
Devon Achane, RB, Texas A&M
Jaylon Jones, CB, Texas A&M
Luke Wypler, IOL, Ohio State
Riley Moss, CB, Iowa
Nathaniel Dell, WR, Houston
Jayden Reed, WR, Michigan State
Jonathan Mingo, WR, Ole Miss
Jarrett Patterson, IOL, Notre Dame
Rashee Rice, WR, SMU
Keaton Mitchell, RB, East Carolina
Parker Washington, WR, Penn State
Bryce Ford-Wheaton, WR, West Virginia
Olusegun Oluwatimi, IOL, Michigan
Emil Ekiyor Jr., IOL, Alabama
Tre'Vius Hodges-Tomlinson, CB, TCU
Braeden Daniels, G, Utah
Ji'Ayir Brown, S, Penn State
Tank Bigsby, RB, Auburn
Chandler Zavala, IOL, NC State
K.J. Henry, EDGE, Clemson
Andre Carter II, EDGE, Army
Kenny McIntosh, RB, Georgia
Moro Ojomo, DL, Texas
Andrew Vorhees, IOL, USC
Ronnie Hickman, S, Ohio State
Nick Saldiveri, OL, Old Dominion
Trey Dean III, S, Florida
Chase Brown, RB, Illinois
Cameron Mitchell, CB, Northwestern
Will Mallory, TE, Miami
Anthony Johnson Jr., S, Iowa State
Richard Gouraige, OL, Florida
Yasir Abdullah, EDGE, Louisville
Mohamoud Diabate, LB, Utah
YaYa Diaby, EDGE, Louisville
Cam Jones, LB, Indiana
Zacch Pickens, DL, South Carolina
Brandon Joseph, S, Notre Dame
Deuce Vaughn, RB, Kansas State
Dante Stills, DL, West Virginia
Deneric Prince, RB, Tulsa
Nick Broeker, IOL, Ole Miss
PJ Mustipher, DT, Penn State
Carlton Martial, LB, Troy
Tyler Lacy, DE, Oklahoma State
Brandon Kipper, G, Oregon State
DJ Johnson, EDGE, Oregon
Alex Forsyth, IOL, Oregon
Jason Taylor II, S, Oklahoma State
Mohamed Ibrahim, RB, Minnesota
Jadakis Bonds, WR, Hampton
Jay Ward, DB, LSU
Chris Murray, C, Oklahoma
Arquon Bush, CB, Cincinnati
DJ Dale, DT, Alabama
Malik Knowles, WR, Kansas State
Anfernee Orji, LB, Vanderbilt
Nesta Jade Silvera, DT, Arizona State
Elijah Higgins, WR, Stanford
Lonnie Phelps Jr., EDGE, Kansas
Karl Brooks, DL, Bowling Green
Keondre Coburn, DT, Texas
Mitchell Tinsley, WR, Penn State
Christian Braswell, DB, Rutgers
Drake Thomas, LB, NC State
Malik Cunningham, QB, Louisville
Caleb Murphy, EDGE, Ferris State
Currently on Giants.com
View photos of Giants throwing out first pitches and taking in some baseball over the years.
New York Giants coach Tom Coughlin throws out the ceremonial first pitch before the New York Yankees baseball game against the Chicago White Sox, Saturday, June 30, 2012, at Yankee Stadium in New York. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning glances down at his daughter Ava as he poses for a photograph with New York Mets mascot Mr. Met before a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds at Citi Field in New York, Sunday, June 17, 2012. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning, left, and his brother, New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning, right, throw out the first pitch before the start of the Atlanta Braves game against the Pittsburgh Pirates Thursday, March 10, 2005 in Kissimmee, Fla. The Pirates beat the Braves 1-0. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Former New York Giants player Plaxico Burress holds out the Super Bowl XLII Vince Lombardi trophy for fans to touch as he and teammates from the 2008 Super Bowl championship team walk around Yankee Stadium before a baseball game between the New York Yankees and the Baltimore Orioles, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017, in New York. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)
New York Giants head coach Tom Coughlin responds to questions before the "True Blue" benefit celebrity softball game at Yankee Stadium Wednesday, June 3, 2015, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Former New York Giants player Plaxico Burress holds out the Super Bowl XLII Vince Lombardi trophy for fans to touch as he and teammates from the 2008 Super Bowl championship team walk around Yankee Stadium before a baseball game between the New York Yankees and the Baltimore Orioles, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017, in New York. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)
New York Giants coach Tom Coughlin throws out the ceremonial first pitch before the New York Yankees baseball game against the Chicago White Sox, Saturday, June 30, 2012, at Yankee Stadium in New York. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning, right, and his brother, New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning, watch from New York Yankees' Derek Jeter's suite during a baseball game between the Yankees and the Tampa Bay Rays at Yankee Stadium in New York, Sunday, May 4, 2014. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux
New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning reacts after tossing out the ceremonial first pitch while holding his daughter Ava before a baseball game between the New York Mets and the Cincinnati Reds at Citi Field in New York, Sunday, June 17, 2012. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning, left, and his brother, Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning watch from Derek Jeter's suite during the Tampa Bay Rays baseball game against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium in New York, Sunday, May 4, 2014. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
New York Giants coach Tom Coughlin throws out the ceremonial first pitch before the New York Yankees baseball game against the Chicago White Sox, Saturday, June 30, 2012, at Yankee Stadium in New York. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning, left, stands beside his brother, Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning as the pair watch the New York Yankees face the Tampa Bay Rays in a baseball game at Yankee Stadium in New York, Sunday, May 4, 2014. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning hold the ball and his daughter Ava before throwing out the ceremonial first pitch before a New York Mets baseball game with the Cincinnati Reds at Citi Field in New York, Sunday, June 17, 2012. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning holds daughter Ava at a baseball game between the New York Mets and the Cincinnati Reds baseball game at Citi Field in New York, Sunday, June 17, 2012. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
New York Giants first round draft pick David Wilson at batting practice before the baseball game between the Philadelphia Phillies and New York Mets on Wednesday, May 30, 2012, at Citi Field in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Kmonicek)
New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning, right, holds his daughter Ava as he chats with New York Mets third baseman David Wright, left, after throwing out the ceremonial first pitch on Father's Day before a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds at Citi Field in New York, Sunday, June 17, 2012. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
New York Giants safety Antrel Rolle, right, hugs Miami Marlins catcher Brett Hayes after Rolle threw out a ceremonial first pitch before a baseball game between the Miami Marlins and the New York Mets, Friday, May 11, 2012 in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning, left, holds daughter Ava as he stands with New York Mets third baseman David Wright after Wright caught his ceremonial first pitch before a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds at Citi Field in New York, Sunday, June 17, 2012. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
New York Giants rookies watch New York Mets third baseman David Wright present first round draft pick David Wilson with a baseball after Wilson threw out the first ceremonial pitch before the baseball game between the Philadelphia Phillies and New York Mets on Wednesday, May 30, 2012, at Citi Field in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Kmonicek)
New York Giants safety Antrel Rolle throws out a ceremonial first pitch before a baseball game between the Miami Marlins and the New York Mets, Friday, May 11, 2012 in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
New York Giants first round draft pick David Wilson practices his swing in the batting cages before the baseball game between the Philadelphia Phillies and New York Mets on Wednesday, May 30, 2012, at Citi Field in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Kmonicek)
New York Giants first round draft pick David Wilson throws out the first ceremonial pitch before the baseball game between the Philadelphia Phillies and New York Mets on Wednesday, May 30, 2012, at Citi Field in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Kmonicek)
New York Giants first round draft pick David Wilson at batting practice before the baseball game between the Philadelphia Phillies and New York Mets on Wednesday, May 30, 2012, at Citi Field in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Kmonicek)
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning, right, and his brother, New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning, left, wait to throw out the first pitch before the start of the Atlanta Braves game against the Pittsburgh Pirates Thursday, March 10, 2005 in Kissimmee, Fla. The Pirates beat the Braves 1-0. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning, right, waves to fans as he stands with his brother, New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning, in New York Yankees' Derek Jeter's suite during a baseball game between the Yankees and the Tampa Bay Rays at Yankee Stadium in New York, Sunday, May 4, 2014. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
New York Mets manager Terry Collins, right, talks with former NFL football coach Bill Parcells before the start of an exhibition spring training baseball game between the St. Louis Cardinals and the New York Mets Sunday, March 10, 2013, in Jupiter, Fla. Parcells won two Super Bowls as coach of the New York Giants. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
New York Mets manager Terry Collins, right, gives a jersey signed by his team to former NFL football coach Bill Parcells before the start of an exhibition spring training baseball game between the St. Louis Cardinals and the New York Mets Sunday, March 10, 2013, in Jupiter, Fla. Parcells won two Super Bowls as coach of the New York Giants. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Bill Parcells, left, retired football coach, talks with St. Louis Cardinals coach Tony La Russa during the Cardinals' spring training baseball practice, Sunday, Feb. 25, 2007, at Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter, Fla. (AP Photo/James A. Finley)
Bill Parcells, left, reaches to shake hands with the Texas Rangers mascot while sitting with Rangers owner Tom Hicks before the Rangers' baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles in Arlington, Texas, Wednesday, May 3, 2006. (AP Photo/L.M. Otero)
New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning, left, chats with his brother, Indianapolis Colts' Peyton Manning, as Giants' Brandon Jacobs, right, finds his seat at the New York Yankees' baseball game against the Washington Nationals on Wednesday, June 17, 2009, at Yankee Stadium in New York. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Mets manager Terry Collins, right, gives a jersey signed by his team to former NFL football coach Bill Parcells before the start of an exhibition spring training baseball game between the St. Louis Cardinals and the New York Mets Sunday, March 10, 2013, in Jupiter, Fla. Parcells won two Super Bowls as coach of the New York Giants. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Bill Parcells talks with David Pratt, one of the owners for the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team before the Cardinals spring training baseball game against the Atlanta Braves in Jupiter, Fla. Parcells is friends with Cardinals manager Tony La Russa. The Cowboys have reported signed Terrell Ownes. (AP Photo/James A. Finley)
Baltimore Orioles shortstop Miguel Tejada, left, talks with Bill Parcellls during batting practice before the Orioles spring training baseball game against the New York Mets in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., Tuesday, March 21, 2006. Parcells has been visiting baseball training camps including the St. Louis Cardinals. (AP Photo/James A. Finley)
St. Louis Cardinals manager Tony La Russa, left, talks with David Pratt, one of the owners of the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team and Bill Parcells before the Cardinals spring training baseball game against the Atlanta Braves in Jupiter, Fla. Sunday, March 19, 2006. (AP Photo/James A. Finley)
Bill Parcells, left, chats with Tampa Bay Devil Rays manager Lou Piniella as they stand by the batting cage during batting practice prior to the Texas Rangers game against the Devil Rays Wednesday, May 5, 2004, at The Ballpark in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Linda Kaye)
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