Draft experts Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay held dueling mock drafts to predict the selections through two rounds:
With pro days nearly all wrapped up, we enter the home stretch as the draft is just three weeks away.
Trading the second overall pick has been talked about all along – it comes with the territory of drafting that high – but only time will tell if the Giants make any moves on or before April 26, the first day of the draft. With that said, ESPN's Todd McShay does envision more movement at the top in a two-round mock draft he recently conducted against colleague Mel Kiper Jr.
McShay had the Bills moving up to the Giants' selection in exchange for their 12th, 22nd and 53rd overall choices. That would be in addition to the 34th pick that the Giants already hold. Here is how McShay saw it playing out for the Giants if that were the case:
No. 12: Tremaine Edmunds, LB, Virginia Tech
No. 22: James Daniels, OC/OG, Iowa
No. 53: Harrison Phillips, DT, Stanford
"With their first pick in the draft after the trade with Buffalo, the Giants get a versatile player who can play any linebacker spot in their new 3-4 defense," McShay wrote. "New York hasn't taken a first-round LB since Carl Banks in 1984, but Edmunds breaks the streak. New York signed Nate Solder to be its left tackle and now solidifies the interior of the offensive line with Daniels, who could start at center or guard. Remember: For me, [the 53rd] pick goes to the Giants as part of their deal with Buffalo, which moved up to No. 2 overall. The Giants need help on the defensive line to spell Damon Harrison and Dalvin Tomlinson. Phillips would be a good fit."
Meanwhile, Kiper didn't have any trades for the Giants in the first two rounds. Rather, he projected USC quarterback Sam Darnold to the Giants after the Browns took Wyoming quarterback Josh Allen first overall.
"Darnold won't have to play early, giving him time refine his mechanics and footwork," Kiper wrote. "Unless the G-Men get a trade offer they can't refuse."
As for the second pick in the second round, the two draft analysts agreed on LSU running back Derrius Guice for Big Blue.
"If the Giants pass on Saquon Barkley on Day 1, they could snag the No. 2 running back of the class here," Kiper wrote. "And I'm sure their new quarterback would be thrilled."
Trading, not trading, and everything in between will be thrown out there in the next few weeks. Let's take a look at what else is floating around right now:
Bucky Brooks, NFL.com
Pick: Quenton Nelson, G, Notre Dame
Analysis: "New GM Dave Gettleman is all about the "hog mollies" (big guys), so he could bypass a quarterback of the future and a dynamic runner to add a Pro Bowl-caliber interior blocker to the roster."
Charley Casserly, NFL Network
Pick: Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State
Analysis: "The Giants believe Eli Manning can still play well. They give him a chance to do that with the signing of LT Nate Solder and selection of Barkley."
Albert Breer, Monday Morning Quarterback
Pick (projected trade with Buffalo to No. 12 pick): Marcus Davenport, EDGE, UTSA
Analysis: "Word is the Giants love [Saquon] Barkley and Nelson, and I know dealing down isn't in Gettleman's history. But I think the offers will entice, and Davenport would be a good get at 12."
Matt Miller, Bleacher Report
Pick: Bradley Chubb, EDGE, NC State
Analysis: "Previous Selection: OG Quenton Nelson, Notre Dame. The draft's first surprise has the New York Giants passing on quarterbacks, all-world running back Saquon Barkley and elite offensive guard Quenton Nelson to land the class's best pass-rusher. Chubb is an ideal weak-side linebacker fit in the Giants' new 3-4 scheme. Pairing him with Olivier Vernon would give new head coach Pat Shurmur a stud defensive duo. That might also help give quarterback Eli Manning a little bigger window to win a third ring before retiring."
Pete Prisco, CBS Sports
Pick: Bradley Chubb, DE, NC State
Analysis: "You can never have enough pass rushers as the Giants learned when they beat the Patriots twice in the Super Bowl. And now after dealing Jason Pierre-Paul to the Buccaneers on Thursday there's even more of a need."
Charles Davis, NFL.com
Pick: Josh Rosen, QB, UCLA
Analysis: "We're still on the lookout for a potential trade in this spot, with the Bills possibly looking to move in front of the Jets, but in the end, the Giants' brass decides to pick its future franchise QB. Rosen's self-confidence (and terrific right arm) are what's necessary in NYC. Trading Jason Pierre-Paul might lead to more of a discussion about taking Bradley Chubb here, but the Giants don't pass on their top QB."
Dane Brugler, The Sports Xchange
Pick: Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State
Analysis: "With new decision-makers (general manager and head coach) in New York, there is a favorable chance this pick will be a quarterback or traded. But if this regime truly believes in Eli Manning as "the guy" for the next few seasons, Barkley and his impact would aid the quarterback more than anyone else at this selection."
Rob Rang, NFLDraftScout.com
Pick: Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State
Analysis: "The Giants ranked 31st in the NFL a year ago in scoring offense with just 15.4 points per game. It is easy to imagine that number jumping considerably with Barkley joining Odell Beckham, Jr. and Evan Engram to give Eli Manning the best set of weapons in the NFC East. Given the haul the Colts received in the Jets' aggressive trade up, do not be surprised if the Giants ultimately trade out of this pick to satisfy another QB-desperate team."
Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz, USA TODAY Sports
Pick: Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State
Analysis: "The Jets' trade set the G-Men up to take home a potential king's ransom if they can find their own QB-hungry trade partner. But if Barkley's on the board, this might be a no-brainer for new GM Dave Gettleman. Barkley is poised to become the highest running back drafted since Reggie Bush went No. 2 in 2006, and with good reason. Capable of reshaping an offense, the do-everything back might be just what first-year coach Pat Shurmur needs to launch his attack. Yet if Darnold is available, New York needs to at least listen to trade offers — as well as consider taking him as Eli Manning's potential successor."
Chris Trapasso, CBS Sports
Pick: Bradley Chubb, DE, NC State
Analysis: "Barkley will be considered here, but GM Dave Gettleman has a serious history investing in the defensive line with early selections."
R.J. White, CBS Sports
Pick: Sam Darnold, QB, Southern California
Analysis: "I've previously had the Giants trading down from this pick so the Bills could move up and take a quarterback, but it's starting to sound like the Giants would grab Darnold if he's available. Though that's not an instantly gratifying pick for Giants fans, I believe it's the best course of action for the future of the franchise."
Danny Kelly, The Ringer
Pick: QB Josh Rosen, UCLA
Analysis: "The Giants could get a king's ransom to trade out of this spot—or take Saquon Barkley or Quenton Nelson—but the chance to draft and develop a top-tier passer like Rosen as the heir to Eli Manning is too enticing. The UCLA product excels in the pocket and can attack all three levels of the field. He would give the team's new front office and coaching staff the chance for a seamless transition away from the 37-year-old Manning, whether that happens in 2019 or 2020."
Chad Reuter, NFL.com
Pick: Josh Rosen, QB, UCLA
Analysis: "Eli Manning is the Giants' quarterback in 2018. My guess is the team will move on after next season so their young star can lead the franchise for the next 12-15 years."
