By Michael Stewart @TheTruthNYG
This is will be part 11 in a series of 13 as the Giants should be moving on from both Lorenzo Carter and Oshane Ximines in 2022 as 2021 pick Azeez Ojulari and waiver pickup Quincy Roche have emerged as the Giants starters in the 2nd half. This could be a position they should address in this draft. Getting a play making OLB should be a priority.
- Devin Lloyd (Utah) 6’2/230: Lloyd played inside and outside and had an outstanding season in 2021 and definitely has enhanced his draft stock. Lloyd is projected to move to OLB and could still move up after a fine performance at the combine.
- Nik Bonitto (Oklahoma) 6’3/240: Bonitto is well-rounded as a run defender and in pass coverage. Bonitto could be a solid fixture as a 3-down NFL OLB for the next decade.
- Sam Williams (Ole Miss) 6’4/265: Williams had a stellar season with 12.5 sacks as the only main pass rusher and he achieved this by facing double teams most of the time. Williams has a strong and thick built and runs a sub 4.5; which relates to lethal combination in the NFL.
- Brandon Smith (Penn State) 6’3/240: Smith has all the intangibles you look for in an outside linebacker. Smith has also lined up both inside and on the outside for the Nittany Lions, but is projected to be an OLB in the NFL.
- Darrian Beavers (Cincinnati) 6’4/255: Beavers does everything well, but the knock on him is that he isn’t elite in any one area. Beavers has great size and speed to have his game translate well to the NFL, a solid year of development in his rookie season will set the foundation for years to come.
The 2022 draft has a nice selection of OLB to choose from on all three days and another position that the Giants should strongly consider in this draft. Last year’s pick Azeez Ojulari enjoyed a solid rookie season, and the Giants need another OLB to play the opposite side of Ojulari to give the Giants dual threats for opposing offenses and much needed talent along with Quincy Roche and Elerson Smith.