By Michael Stewart @TheTruthNYG
This will be part 6 in my series of 13 as we review the guard position in this draft. In my opinion, the guards in this draft are talented and deep throughout the three days of the draft. At this point, it’s unclear if the Giants will look towards free agency for a guard as there are a few notable candidates, but could be strongly in the market for one in this draft. So here are my top 5 guards in the 2022 NFL draft.
- Ikem Ekwonu (NC State) 6’4/320: Anytime you get a big offensive linemen running under five seconds in the 40, you should take notice. Ekwonu mom was a track star and his farther a basketball star. Ekwonu plays OT at NC State, but could transition to guard in the NFL based on many reports circulating by NFL scouts, so right now he makes my top 5 list as a Guard.
- Kenyon Green (Texas A&M) 6’4/330: Green is playing at RT for the Aggies, but should transition to guard in the NFL. Green is extremely powerful with good technique. Green will be a solid lineman for the next decade in the NFL.
- Zion Johnson (Boston College) 6’3/315: Johnson can play all five spots on the offensive line as evident of his performance at center during the Senior Bowl. Johnson will settle in at guard in the NFL as he is a solid performer in both run blocking and pass protection.
- Jamaree Salyer (Georgia) 6’4/325: Salyer is strong and nasty in the trenches as he is currently playing RT for the Bulldogs. NFL scouts project him to move to guard and have a very solid NFL career.
- Ed Ingram (LSU) 6’4/320: Ingram plays with a nasty streak and has a solid work ethic. Ingram has above average footwork, but there’s room for improvement and he needs to get stronger in his lower half to endure the trenches.
The Giants need to re- vamp their offensive line in the worse way with better talent if they are determined to take that next step up and be a legit playoff contender; it all starts in the trenches. New GM Joe Schoen and new Head Coach Brian Daboll did emphasize the importance of added talent on the offensive line during their initial press conferences to help both Quarterback Daniel Jones and Running Back Saquan Barkley.