2022 NFL Draft's most pivotal picks
With less than two weeks to go, front offices around the NFL are finalizing their boards and simulating every possibility in preparation for the draft. But how will it play out in reality?
"The first round of the NFL draft can be like a game of dominoes," NFL Network's Rhett Lewis wrote. "We've all got it mocked out the way we think it will go, and then one team makes a certain move -- or doesn't -- that turns everything upside down. These draft decision points could define the way we look at the composition of the first 32 picks once the dust settles in Las Vegas."
In a new story on NFL.com, Lewis predicted "a few of these potential moments of draft drama."
Here is what he sees as the biggest dominoes as the Giants hold the fifth and seventh overall selections:
No. 6: Carolina Panthers
"I like Kenny Pickett in this spot, assuming he's still on the board, as he's the most pro-ready passer in this year's group. If Pickett goes to the Panthers at No. 6, then some interesting dominoes could start to fall as soon as the very next selection; a team who likes Malik Willis may look to jump in front of the Atlanta Falcons, who pick at No. 8."
No. 8: Atlanta Falcons
"Speaking of Atlanta ... Here we are with another big decision point for the Falcons, who passed on a QB at No. 4 overall last April. Does GM Terry Fontenot decide now is the time to pick a signal-caller? Meanwhile, the Jets at No. 10 sure are hoping there's a run on passers at this point, keeping more of the best non-QBs on the board for New York's second turn on the clock in Round 1.
"Here's why I don't see the Falcons going with a QB in this spot: NFL.com draft analysts Daniel Jeremiah and Bucky Brooks, both former pro scouts, have talked about how all five of the QBs taken in the first round last year would grade higher than each QB in this year's class. So it doesn't totally square that the Falcons would pass on Justin Fields and Mac Jones only to take one of this year's passers. Instead, it feels like this could definitely be a spot where the first WR hears his name called, considering the team's significant need at the position. Whether Atlanta goes QB or WR here could have a ripple effect on the total number of prospects from those two position groups to go in the first round."
Nos. 16 & 19: New Orleans Saints
"Are the Saints done moving? I'm not so sure. Their recent deal with the Eagles for the 16th and 19th overall picks feels similar to when Philadelphia incrementally climbed up the board to take Carson Wentz second overall in 2016, or when Buffalo traded up twice in 2018 to select Josh Allen at No. 7.
"If this initial trade is a precursor for another move up for one of the top QBs, then we're looking at the biggest turning point in this year's draft. The Saints would likely have to get to at least No. 5 so they leapfrog the Panthers. (For what it's worth, there's been plenty of talk about the Giants potentially moving down from the fifth overall pick.) Would Carolina shift to the second QB on its board if New Orleans were to snag its preferred choice? The Saints could also wait and see who the Panthers pick at No. 6 and then swing a trade with the Giants at No. 7 to get ahead of Atlanta. There are plenty of possibilities on the table, all of them quite intriguing."
NFL Media analyst Daniel Jeremiah released his final edition of the top 50 prospects in the 2022 NFL Draft.
No. 50 Logan Hall, DT, Houston
No. 49 David Ojabo, EDGE, Michigan
No. 48 Sam Howell, QB, North Carolina
No. 47 Kaiir Elam, CB, Florida
No. 46 Christian Watson, WR, North Dakota State
No. 45 Skyy Moore, WR, Western Michigan
No. 44 Nik Bonitto, EDGE, Oklahoma
No. 43 Bernhard Raimann, OT, Central Michigan
No. 42 Tyler Smith, OT, Tulsa
No. 41 Jalen Pitre, S, Baylor
No. 40 Matt Corral, QB, Mississippi
No. 39 Lewis Cine, S, Georgia
No. 38 Christian Harris, LB, Alabama
No. 37 Travis Jones, DT, Connecticut
No. 36 Kenyon Green, G, Texas A&M
No. 35 Kyler Gordon, CB, Washington
No. 34 Arnold Ebiketie, EDGE, Penn State
No. 33 Kenneth Walker III, RB, Michigan State
No. 32 Andrew Booth Jr., CB, Clemson
No. 31 Boye Mafe, EDGE, Minnesota
No. 30 Zion Johnson, IOL, Boston College
No. 29 Quay Walker, LB, Georgia
No. 28 Breece Hall, RB, Iowa State
No. 27 Tyler Linderbaum, IOL, Iowa
No. 26 Malik Willis, QB, Liberty
No. 25 Jahan Dotson, WR, Penn State
No. 24 Kenny Pickett, QB, Pittsburgh
No. 23 Devonte Wyatt, DT, Georgia
No. 22 Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State
No. 21 Dax Hill, S, Michigan
No. 20 Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa
No. 19 Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas
No. 18 George Karlaftis, EDGE, Purdue
No. 17 Nakobe Dean, LB, Georgia
No. 16 Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama
No. 15 Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State
No. 14 Trent McDuffie, CB, Washington
No. 13 Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah
No. 12 Derek Stingley Jr., CB, LSU
No. 11 Jordan Davis, DT, Georgia
No. 10 Kayvon Thibodeaux, EDGE, Oregon
No. 9 Jermaine Johnson II, EDGE, Florida State
No. 8 Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
No. 7 Drake London, WR, Southern California
No. 6 Travon Walker, EDGE, Georgia
No. 5 Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame
No. 4 Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State
No. 3 Ickey Ekwonu, OT, North Carolina State
No. 2 Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner, CB, Cincinnati
No. 1 Aidan Hutchinson, EDGE, Michigan
Minicamp gets underway
New York Giants football is back.
Because they have a new head coach, the Giants were allowed to open their voluntary offseason workout program on Monday, April 4, two weeks before clubs with returning coaches can do the same. The nine-week period is intended to provide training, teaching, and physical conditioning for players as a new era begins under coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen.
Below is a look at the Giants' schedule for spring football.
First Day: April 4
Voluntary Minicamp: April 19-21
Joe Schoen & Brian Daboll Pre-Draft Pressers: April 20
OTA Offseason Workouts: May 16-17, May 19, May 23-24, May 26, May 31-June 3
Mandatory Minicamp: June 7-9
Jersey numbers revealed for new Giants
View jersey numbers for the newest members of the Giants. Note: jersey numbers are always subject to change.
Giants Draft Party: Claim your free tickets now
Join Giants fans at MetLife Stadium to watch the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 28.
