Things are heating up in the pre-draft process, as the start of the 2022 NFL Draft is a little over two weeks away.
While the pro day circuit is just about over, teams are welcoming prospects in their facilities for top 30 visits. It was reported by NFL Network's Tom Pelissero on Monday that Alabama OT Evan Neal was in East Rutherford for a visit with the Giants last week, while Oregon EDGE Kayvon Thibodeaux, Michigan EDGE Aidan Hutchinson and N.C. State OT Ickey Ekwonu are all reportedly scheduled to come in for a visit with Big Blue this week.
As we get closer to the start of the draft, more and more draft experts have been releasing mock drafts that go beyond the first round. Today we are going to take a look at a few of the newest mock drafts that cover more than the first 32 selections.
ESPN's Jordan Reid came out with a full seven-round mock draft this week. Additionally, CBS Sports' Ryan Wilson released his latest three-round mock draft, while NFL.com's Chad Reuter published his updated four-round mock draft.
Here are the prospects that experts are projecting to the Giants in multi-round mock drafts.
Pick for No. 5: Ikem Ekwonu, OT, N.C. State
Analysis: "The Giants could have four new starters along the offensive line in 2022. Ekwonu could play right tackle and pair with Andrew Thomas as bookends to build around. He brings physicality and nastiness to a front that sorely lacks that type of attitude, and he's a consistent player."
Pick for No. 7: Travon Walker, DE, Georgia
Analysis: Walker, a hot name in draft circles, is a massive end with unique physical traits. Teams in the top 10 could bank on his upside and potential and take him early, even if he had only 9.5 career sacks. General manager Joe Schoen, who came from Buffalo, was in a regime that wasn't afraid of taking risky, high-ceiling prospects, as he played a part in the selections of Josh Allen and Greg Rousseau."
Pick for No. 36: Quay Walker, LB, Georgia
Analysis: "In need of more speed on the second level, Walker brings a long, rangy and physical presence that is only scratching the surface of his potential. He was only a one-year starter at Georgia."
Pick for No. 67: Greg Dulcich, TE, UCLA
Analysis: "Evan Engram is now gone, and the team released Kyle Rudolph this offseason. Dulcich could play a major tight end role in a position that has lacked consistency for the Giants over the past few seasons."
Pick for No. 81: Kerby Joseph, S, Illinois
Analysis: "With only two safeties on the roster entering the draft, it's clear the Giants could use a running mate alongside Xavier McKinney. Joseph, an ascending prospect who is only beginning to hit his stride, would complement McKinney's skill set."
Pick for No. 112: Luke Fortner, IOL, Kentucky
Pick for No. 147: Rachaad White, RB, Arizona State
Pick for No. 173: Velus Jones Jr., WR, Tennessee
Pick for No. 182: Isaiah Thomas, DE, Oklahoma
Pick for No. 5: Kayvon Thibodeaux, EDGE, Oregon
Analysis: "Thibodeaux has game-changing talents and, frankly, he's been all over the board in our mock drafts, mostly because teams have differing opinions on him. They're no denying he's just about unstoppable when he's locked in."
Pick for No. 7: Ahmad Gardner, CB, Cincinnati
Analysis: "Gardner is a long, physical corner who can run with any WR he goes up against. He didn't give up a single TD during his career and in '21 he was as close to shutdown as you're going to see in this class."
Pick for No. 36: Bernard Raimann, OT, Central Michigan
Pick for No. 67: Dylan Parham, IOL, Memphis
Pick for No. 81: Alec Pierce, WR, Cincinnati
Pick for No. 5: TRADE
Analysis: Reuter predicts the Giants will trade down with the New Orleans Saints, surrendering the No. 5 overall pick and No. 112 overall pick (fourth round) in exchange for pick Nos. 16 and 19 in the first round.
Pick for No. 7: Kayvon Thibodeaux, EDGE, Oregon
Analysis: "Imagine Thibodeaux's strength and bend coming off the same side of the line as Leonard Williams or crashing inside on a twist with Dexter Lawrence. ... Offensive linemen won't know what to do."
Pick for No. 16: Derek Stingley Jr., CB, LSU
Analysis: "With the first of the two mid-first-round picks gained in the Saints trade (sending their fourth-round pick back to New Orleans to equalize value), the Giants land an excellent corner in Stingley -- if he's able to return to his 2019 form."
Pick for No. 19: Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State
Analysis: "Draft analysts are split on Cross: Some believe he is a top-10 pick while others think he would be a better value in the lower-third of the round. I think he'll fall somewhere in the middle. In this scenario, the Giants nab him and install him on the right side of the line to start his career."
Pick for No. 36: George Pickens, WR, Georgia
Pick for No. 67: Greg Dulcich, TE, UCLA
Pick for No. 81: Otito Ogbonnia, DT, UCLA
NFL Media analyst Daniel Jeremiah released his final edition of the top 50 prospects in the 2022 NFL Draft.
PFF's 2022 NFL Draft best small-school gems
Each year, there are a crop of prospects from small schools around the country that hear their names called during the NFL Draft.
In fact, Cooper Kupp, this past season's Super Bowl MVP and Offensive Player of the Year, was once a zero-star recruit from Eastern Washington who wound up being selected in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft.
Pro Football Focus' Kambui Bomani recently released a list of the 10 best draft prospects from small schools.
Here are a few of those small-school gems.
Troy Anderson, LB, Montana State
"As one of the more dominant athletes in the FCS, Andersen did it all during his football tenure at Montana State. The former first-team All-Big Sky quarterback became one of the best linebackers in the country with breakneck athleticism that reigned supreme during the scouting combine:
- 40-Yard Dash: 4.42 seconds (best among combine LBs)
- Vertical Jump: 36 inches (14th-best among combine LBs)
- Broad Jump: 10-foot-8 (fifth-best among combine LBs)
As an every-down linebacker during his final year in Bozeman, Montana, Andersen accumulated an 86.4 coverage grade, 86.3 defensive grade and an 80.5 run defense grade to help lead his team to its first FCS title berth in school history. Just a novice at the position, he's an upside pick who could develop into a franchise's LB1."
Christian Watson, WR, North Dakota State
"At 6-foot-4 and 208 pounds, Watson starred at the scouting combine with numbers that were impossible to ignore. The Bisons' leading receiver ran a 4.36-second 40-yard dash, accomplished a 38-inch vertical jump and completed an 11-foot-4 broad jump to solidify his top-50 draft status.
On the field, Watson utilized his 62 targets in a run-dominant offense to his advantage. The redshirt senior accumulated an 89.5 receiving grade during a 2021 season that saw personal highs in catches (42), receiving yards (801) and receiving touchdowns (seven). Despite the lack of collegiate pass-catching volume, there's a strong belief that Watson will thrive as an NFL deep threat."
Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa
"The Senior Bowl showcased the physical and competitive enigma that is Penning. During his last year at Northern Iowa, the Panther product accumulated a 99.1 run-blocking grade that almost shattered the PFF database. He improved his pass-blocking grade every single season and at a listed 6-foot-7 and 321 pounds, he ran the fourth-fastest 40-yard dash among offensive linemen at the scouting combine (4.89 seconds).
Penning is projected to play right tackle in the NFL; however, his strength and mean-streak as a run-blocker can result in him kicking inside to guard. Wherever he plays upfront, the touted linemen will thrive in the trenches."
Zyon McCollum, CB, Sam Houston State
"At 6-foot-2, McCollum's 4.33-second 40-time was an awe-dropping showcase in Indy. His 39.5-inch vertical added to to his stellar combine performance before he brought the house down with the highest broad jump (11-foot-0) among cornerbacks at the combine.
On the field, McCollum possesses a complete cornerback skillet. Committed to run defense, he registered his highest PFF run-defense grade of his career in 2021 (82.0). He bounced back after a down coverage season in 2020 with the second-highest coverage grade (79.1) of his Sam Houston State tenure. The boundary corner possesses the athletic tools to survive and thrive at the next level due to his physical and competitive nature."
Alex Bachman celebrates hole in one with Saquon Barkley, Julian Love
The 2022 Masters wrapped up on Sunday as Scottie Scheffler, the No. 1 golfer in the world, took home the green jacket.
On the same day, several Giants hit the links for a round of golf. Running back Saquon Barkley, defensive back Julian Love and wide receiver Alex Bachman played a round at Upper Montclair Country Club, where something crazy happened.
On the 8th hole, Bachman hit an amazing shot that resulted in a hole in one. He celebrated the impressive feat on social media.
In honor of this weekend's Masters Tournament, check out photos of Giants hitting the golf course over the years.