By Michael Stewart@TheTruthNYG
This will be my final mock draft and there are a few changes from my first mock draft due to prospects being selected earlier than previously expected. GM Joe Schoen will have plenty of ammunition to work with (10 picks) and I fully expect him to either trade up or back if a certain prospect is still on the board. For argument sack, I will not include any trades as it’s nearly impossible to project how the draft board will develop. So with that in mind here’s my final mock draft of who I would like to see the Giants select:
Round 1(#25): Kelee Ringo (CB) Georgia-6’2/207: My previous pick Deonte Banks is off the board, so I decide to go with Kelee Ringo who can play both man and zone coverage equally well with a physical presence. Ringo made the Bruce Feldman’s freak list at #6.
Round 2 (#57): Luke Wypler (C) Ohio State-6’3/305: Wypler graded out the highest among centers with a rating of over 90% in both run blocking and pass protection for the Buckeye’s in 2022.
Round 3(#89): Andrei Iosivas (WR) Princeton-6’3/205: Iosivas has reliable hands (89% catch ratio) and runs crisp routes. Iosivas can accelerate quickly off the line of scrimmage to gain separation and be a threat after the catch. Iosivas made Bruce Feldman’s Freaks list (#15).
Round 4(#128): Cory Trice (CB) Purdue-6’3/206: Trice is a solid tackler and has a nose for the football with the ability to play both cornerback and safety in the NFL.
Round 5 (#160): Bryce Ford-Wheaton (WR) West Virginia-6’4/221: Ford-Wheaton can create separation with precise routes and has explosive speed (4.38) for his size. Ford-Wheaton made Bruce Feldman’s Freak list (#68).
Round 5 (#172)-Compensatory Pick): Israel Abanikanda (RB) Pittsburgh-5’10/216: Abanikanda has a knack to gain positive yardage after first contact and is a reliable receiver. Abanikanda is a patient runner and is a willing blocker on blitzes.
Round 6 (#209): Isaiah Land (EDGE) Florida A&M-6’4/240: Land has a good combination of skills and instincts which allows him to find the ball. Land processes excellent quickness off the snap and placed #64 on Bruce Feldman’s Freak List. .
Round 7 (#240): Cam Jones (ILB) Indiana-6’2/235: Jones has excellent closing speed and is solid between the tackles. Jones can also be utilized in pass coverage and will effectively blitzes on occasion.
Round 7 (#243): McClendon Curtis (OG/OT) Chattanooga-6’6/325: Curtis has played primarily at guard at Chattanooga, but has the versatility to also play Right Tackle if needed; Curtis made Bruce Feldman’s Freak list at #91.
Round 7 (#254): Charlie Thomas (S/LB) Georgia Tech-6’3/216: Thomas played safety and linebacker for the yellow jackets (hybrid role). Thomas has all the measurable and could transition to strong safety while contributing on special teams as a rookie.
Every draft we see many surprises, especially in the early rounds and I expect this draft to be no different. In my final mock draft, I tried to make it as realistic as possible and selected players I felt would be available and who would best fit the Giants system and culture. The theme in my final mock draft was versatility and athleticism as five of the ten selections were named to the Bruce Feldman’s freak list. Joe Schoen often refers to the “team culture” and the type of prospects he wants to fit that mold, so it will be interesting to see who he actually selects in this draft.