In this mock draft via the PFF mock draft simulator, I was able to add some significant future draft capital by trading back from the 5th overall pick. The Bills were willing to part with a 2022 2nd round pick, a 2023 first-round pick, and a 2023 third-round pick to move up from the 25th spot to 5th. It was a no-brainer to add three picks in the top three rounds over the next two drafts.
1st round, pick 7: Ikem Ekwonu OT (NC State)
Even after moving out of the 5th spot, Ikem Ekwonu was still on the board at 7. Arguably the top offensive tackle in this class, Ekwonu is plug and play on the right side opposite Andrew Thomas. His strengths are his power vaulted by his well-built lower body and superior run blocking skills. He can come right in and pave holes for Saquon Barkley, or whoever is back there running the ball. His pass protection skills are a bit raw, but with his talent, there’s no reason to think with NFL coaching he won’t improve. Getting Ekwonu along with a first-round pick next year is an absolute home run.
1st round, pick 25: Devonte Wyatt, Defensive Tackle (Georgia)
After moving out of the 5th pick all the way down to 25, the Giants get an athletic freak at the defensive tackle position. His explosive first step is what sets him apart. He also has the agility to make guards miss. Wyatt is a guy that can wreak havoc and disrupt the quarterback all across the defensive line alongside Leonard Williams. He needs to add some physicality to his pass rush skillset, but Wyatt is a guy that can take over as the leader of the defensive line when the Giants eventually move on from Leonard Williams.
2nd round, pick 36: Skyy Moore, Wide Receiver (Western Michigan)
Some may disagree with this pick, but I’m all for adding top draft talent to the wide receiver room. Who among the Giants receivers are you really confident is in it for the long run? Kenny Golladay and Sterling Shepard are constantly battling injuries. Kadarius Toney had a mixed rookie year where he also had his share of ailments. This regime isn’t tied to Toney either. Enter Skyy Moore. He’s just 5’10, but at 195 pounds he’s built solid. His best talent is his YAC (yards after catch) ability, and the Giants could use a guy that can make plays in the open field. Moore led the FBS in broken tackles this past season. His route running needs improvement, but get this guy in space and see what happens.
2nd round, pick 57 (via BUF): Kingsley Enagbare, Edge Rusher (South Carolina)
The pass rush is addressed by adding a unique prospect in Kingsley Engabare in the back end of the second round. His best trait is his powerful hand usage. He’s also got good length on the edge and has been productive against high-level competition in the SEC. He has one of the best pass rush win rates over the past two seasons. However, Engabarare is a very raw talent and needs to add more to his pass rush repertoire. The technique is a major area where he can get better. He’s definitely a projection, but I’m banking on Engabare honing his craft and expanding his skills to get to the quarterback once he gets NFL coaching.
3rd round, pick 67: Dylan Parham, Guard (Memphis
Parham is an exceptional athlete and possesses great quickness at the line of scrimmage. He locks on defenders quickly. His size is a concern and he could actually add some weight if he’s going to play at guard. He may project better at center because of his size, which is a position in flux due to the uncertainty of Nick Gates’ injury. The 3rd round seems like a nice time to add a high-upside interior offensive lineman.
3rd round, pick 81: Dameon Pierce, Running Back (Florida)
It’s clear the Giants are intrigued by this running back class after they’ve already used three of their top 30 visits on the position. As far as I know, Pierce hasn’t visited the Giants, but he’s an intriguing prospect the Giants should seriously consider. At 5’10 and 218 pounds, he’s a tough guy for defenders to bring down. Pierce uses his strength to his advantage with an impressive stiff arm. It’s not exciting, but he’s one of the better pass-protecting running backs in this class, and that’s going to allow him to see the field earlier. His lack of a real workload is a concern, but he finally had double-digit carries in the last two games of 2021. He delivered with 119 yards over 25 carries. Saquon Barkley’s future with the Giants is a real question mark, and the third-round is an area I’m much more comfortable with getting a running back the Giants can rely on in a potential post-Barkley world.