Giants Draft Grade 2022

The Giants had a rough year this past season, really they’ve had a few tough ones in a row. The Giants were loaded with picks to fill their multiple needs. Their woes on the offensive line are glaring. New York’s defense could also use some help. Back when the Giants were beating the Patriots in Super Bowls, they had a killer pass rush. Let’s see how the Giants did with all their draft picks. What is the Giants draft grade?

 

Round 1 (No. 5 overall) – Kayvon Thibodeaux, DE, Oregon

 

All this talk about Thibodeaux not being committed to football is idiotic. He should have been the number one overall pick. Thibodeaux plays his butt off, and is incredibly quick off the snap. He’s an immediate difference maker on the Giants’ defense. If he’s healthy all year, expect double digit sacks.

Grade: A

 

Round 1 (7, from Bears) – Evan Neal, OT, Alabama

 

I was surprised the Giants didn’t go offensive tackle with their first pick, but it’s a sign that they valued Ikem Ekwonu the same, or lower, than Evan Neal. This is what I want to keep an eye on over the years, were the Giants right? They blew it the last time they had a choice between offensive lineman. Neal is bigger than Ekwonu and still has freak athleticism. I think having Neal and Ekwonu rated basically the same makes sense. I also hold the unpopular opinion that Daniel Jones can play and keeping him somewhat clean is priority number one.

Grade: A

 

Round 2 (43, from Falcons) – Wan’Dale Robinson, WR, Kentucky

 

I did not like this pick at all. I had literally every other wide receiver taken in the second round, and some third round picks, ranked ahead of Robinson. If the Giants wanted to give Jones another weapon, they could have taken tight end Trey McBride as well. Robinson is an interesting slot receiver and special teamer, but he should have been a day 3 pick. Also, the Giants have Kadarius Toney, Sterling Shepard, Kenny Golladay and possibly Darius Slayton ahead of Robinson. I don’t need a fourth or fifth wide receiver with my second round pick. Again, Robinson has talent, but I would have been shocked if he was not available in the fourth.

Grade: D

 

Round 3 (67) – Joshua Ezeudu, OG, North Carolina

 

Honestly, the Giants could have gone back to back offensive line in the first round and it would have made sense. They have multiple holes along the line. Ezeudu is versatile, but I thought there were numerous better interior offensive line starters. Donald Parham and Logan Bruss jump out as two guards who were available. Nicholas Petit-Frere and Bernard Rahmain are two tackles that were available who could have been moved inside and provided valuable depth, especially behind Andrew Thomas. Good position to pick, but I don’t love Ezeudu.

Grade: C-

 

Round 3 (81, from Dolphins) – Cordale Flott, CB, LSU

 

Flott has good size and athleticism for a cornerback. He could use a little seasoning, but he played for LSU so he saw plenty of good receivers. Though he’s six foot, his arms are shorter than you would like. Still, this is a good pick in round three. I would expect Flott to see significant time his rookie year, I just hope he isn’t thrown into the deep end too early.

Grade: B+

 

Round 4 (112, from Bears) – Daniel Bellinger, TE, San Diego State

 

Bellinger is a big athletic tight end. He wasn’t a big play threat at San Diego State though. The Giants were looking for tight end help, so maybe taking the best tight end in the draft in the second round should have been the play. Isaiah Likely was a fantastic receiving tight end that was available, but Bellinger looks like a bit of a better blocker at this time. 

Grade: B

 

Round 4 (114, from Falcons) – Dane Belton, S, Iowa

 

I love this pick. Dane Belton was criminally underrated in this draft. He’s a freak athlete with good awareness. I think Belton challenges for a starting spot right off the bat. He played the “Cash” linebacker position at Iowa for multiple games, but he’s safety size and definitely has the athletic ability. Belton is a playmaker in the secondary and Giants fans are going to have fun watching him. 

Grade: A

 

Round 5 (146, from Jets) – Micah McFadden, LB, Indiana

 

Another fantastic pick. He’s got the size to be a thumper and the athleticism to rush the passer and do well in coverage. McFadden was one of the only bright spots on the Indiana defense this past season. Blake Martinez needs to watch his back.

Grade: A

 

Round 5 (147) – D.J. Davidson, DT, Arizona State

 

Davidson is a big nose tackle for the middle of the Giants defensive line. He’s a rotational guy and I did like other 3-4 nose tackles more. Depth on the defensive line is never a bad thing, but there are multiple players ahead of him on the depth chart, and only one nose tackle on the field at a time.

Grade: C

 

Round 5 (173, from Chiefs through Ravens) – Marcus McKethan, OG, North Carolina

 

McKethan is huge and strong, pretty solid base for an offensive lineman. He needs to work on his foot quickness, but he’s playing guard so foot speed isn’t as important. McKethan has those long arms as well to engage defensive lineman early. It is interesting that the Giants took two North Carolina guards, their eastern scout must have loved the Tarheels.

Grade: B

 

Round 6 (182) – Darrian Beavers, LB, Cincinnati

 

The Giants end the draft with another player that was on my radar. Darrian Beavers is an athletic linebacker, though he’s a bit of a tweener in a 3-4 system. He’s inside linebacker size, but I think outside linebacker fits him better. He was probably best suited as a 4-3 outside linebacker. He could be a rush linebacker from the inside, which would be an interesting wrinkle in a 3-4. Still, I really like Beavers’ skills and think he was undervalued. At worst, he’s linebacker depth with a high ceiling. That’s a strong pick for the sixth round. 

 

Grade: A

 

Overall Giants Grade: B+

 

Final Thoughts on New York Giants 2022 Draft Grade

 

The Giants draft was a little all over the place, but fans should feel confident about their two early first round selections. They got off track for a couple picks, but then took multiple great values. The G-Men filled some important holes with quality players. This should be the year we really see what Daniel Jones can do. They added a lot of players in the trenches, which was desperately needed. I expect to see multiple day three picks contribute this year. The Giants took a good step in the right direction.