For the second time in 4 years, the Giants hold two top-10 picks in a draft. Joe Schoen‘s first draft didn’t maximize the worth at Nos. 5 and seven, where Kayvon Thibodeaux and Evan Neal arrived. If the GM is to save lots of his job, he might want to function a meaningful contributor while a John Harbaugh-fronted regime navigates the Nos. 5 and 10 overall selections.
The Giants obtained No. 10 from the Bengals for Dexter Lawrence. While that haul surprised some Giants decisionmakers, the team bungling the Neal pick reminds how having such meaningful draft real estate can backfire. Several possibilities definitely exist for Big Blue near the highest of this draft.
A path where the Giants grab Sonny Styles at No. 5 and emerge from No. 10 with one other offensive line starter must be considered in play, in line with SportsBoom.com’s Jason La Canfora. A GM informed La Canfora that Styles is not going to be available by No. 10, so if Harbaugh wants a Roquan Smith-type linebacking anchor, the Giants would wish to drag the trigger at 5.
Likely set to be the very best ILB drafted for the reason that Buccaneers selected Devin White fifth overall in 2019, Styles has been connected to the Titans at No. 4. With the Jets all the way down to Arvell Reese and David Bailey and the Cardinals not tied to Styles much, it could seemingly be all the way down to Tennessee passing to greenlight a Giants pick.
The Giants have two locked-in tackle starters, in Andrew Thomas and Jermaine Eluemunor, but their guard posts don’t feature a long-term piece. Although Jon Runyan Jr. got here up as a cut candidate months ago, he stays on the roster. The previous Packer is entering the ultimate season of a three-year, $30MM contract and will not be a roster lock, and the team signed ex-Raven (considered one of many brought in under Harbaugh) Daniel Faalele to go along with Lucas Patrick. Those players could possibly be swing options, nevertheless, and La Canfora hears Harbaugh “loves” Penn State guard Vega Ioane.
Ioane has been linked to Baltimore at No. 14, where Ely Allen’s PFR mock draft sent him. Prior to the Lawrence trade, Ely mocked Francis Mauigoa to Latest York at No. 5. The Giants have an interesting opportunity so as to add a top quality O-line option due to holding a second first-rounder, and Ioane should remain on the board by No. 10. Kadyn Proctor and Spencer Fano, two tackle prospects who could slide to protect (joining Mauigoa in that regard), are also believed to be on the Giants’ radar, per La Canfora.
Wide receiver must also be considered an element for the Giants, especially at No. 10. They’ve been linked closely to Carnell Tate and Jordyn Tyson, and ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler adds more fuel to the Tyson-to-Latest York fire by noting the team indeed is keen on the injury-prone Arizona State talent. Tyson has been considered one of the pre-draft process’ late climbers, as his recent workout showcased upside Tate may not carry. Tate is viewed as a safer prospect, nevertheless.
One other scenario for Latest York may feature Tyson at 10 — if he continues to be available — but Caleb Downs over Styles at 5, with Fowler adding multiple sources have informed him the Giants can be prone to take the ex-Buckeyes safety over the linebacker if each can be found. Downs has been linked to the Giants for weeks, and the Ravens definitely valued the security position — from Ed Reed to Eric Weddle to Earl Thomas to Kyle Hamilton — under Harbaugh.
A wrench on this plan exists at running back, though. Interest in Jeremiyah Love could prompt the Giants to table a defensive pick and go for the dual-threat Notre Dame RB prospect, with Fowler noting Love might be squarely in play — maybe even over Downs — if he’s still available at 5. Some within the Giants’ constructing are holding out hope for Love at 5, per Fowler, with ESPN colleague Jordan Raanan finding it difficult to examine the team passing. Love would mark the organization’s second top-five RB investment in nine years. A Saquon Barkley ceiling is uncertain here, but teams have been rewarded for recent first-round RB picks — as possible 2023 extension recipients Bijan Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbs highlight.
While Fowler also points to the Giants closely eyeing an O-line upgrade at No. 10 within the event Downs is the pick at 5 — mentioning Fano and Ioane — EssentiallySports.com’s Tony Pauline offers more on the receiver front. A priority exists Malik Nabers will not be 100% by Week 1, and Pauline goes so far as to say the Giants “will” use the No. 10 alternative on a receiver.
Short-term Nabers concerns wouldn’t be an ideal reason to make a long-term WR investment with such a high pick, though if Tyson or Tate finally ends up being higher on Latest York’s board in comparison with Fano or Ioane, pairing Nabers with considered one of them is smart. Tate could also be unlikely to fall past Latest Orleans at No. 8, nevertheless. Pauline also cites a source near Ioane who believes No. 10 is perhaps a bit early for the draft’s top guard prospect to go.
Trading down would represent one other route here, and we heard the Giants were open to moving back from No. 5 a bit ago. The Latest York Post’s Ryan Dunleavy hears the Giants can be willing to make a small move back from No. 5 to acquire more Day 2 capital. Latest York traded its third-round pick to climb up for Jaxson Dart last 12 months. A scenario during which the Cardinals take Love at No. 3 leaving the Titans with a Styles-or-EDGE selection could speed up Giants trade talks, and either Bailey or Reese remaining on the board at 5 could prompt a trade-up — because the Giants usually are not in need of OLB help.
As if we aren’t deep enough on this web — big night, Giants fans — Fox Sports’ Jay Glazer is iffy the Giants would use the No. 5 pick on Downs. However the veteran insider confirms the team’s interest in Tyson (who dined with Schoen while the latter was on the town for his workout). No. 5 won’t even be too high for Tyson, though that might be higher than expected.
The Giants view Tyson as “so dynamic,” Glazer adds. He posted a 1,100-yard season in 2022 but has suffered major knee and collarbone injuries prior to multiple bouts with hamstring trouble. Odell Beckham Jr. comparisons have also emerged here. Were Tyson to turn into a Giant, a Beckham reunion may not come to pass.