NFL Draft Preview: Giants Need To Find Stars In First Round

The New York Giants have a new general manager (Joe Schoen) and head coach (Brian Daboll) who are looking to build the franchise into a contender.

No wonder, the New York sports betting community will take a wait-and-see approach.

The Giants have not won more than six games in a season since 2016, and oddsmakers don't see a winning season in 2022.

Regardless, this draft should set the Giants up well to have future success.

The Giants started the process with free agency, which we assessed recently.

With two picks inside of the top seven and five picks in the top 100 of this month's NFL Draft, the Giants should be able to find multiple quality starters and a few franchise cornerstones. But where might they go in the first round? And where will they pick in every round? Here is our 2022 New York Giants draft primer:

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2022 Draft Picks

Round 1 (No. 5)
Round 1 (No. 7)
Round 2 (No. 36)
Round 3 (No. 67)
Round 3 (No. 81)
Round 4 (No. 112)
Round 5 (No. 147)
Round 5 (No. 173)
Round 6 (No. 182)

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2022 Draft Needs

Right Tackle
EDGE Rusher
Cornerback

Giants First Round Pick Odds (#5)

🏈 Charlie Cross	T	Miss. State	+300
🏈 Ikem Ekwonu	T	N.C. State	+400
🏈 Kayvon Thibodeaux	Edge	Oregon	+375
🏈 David Ojabo	Edge	Michigan	+6000
🏈 Ahmad Gardner	CB	Cincinnati	+350
🏈 Travon Walker	Edge	Georgia	+850
🏈 Evan Neal	T	Alabama	+850
🏈 The Field			+500

Odds via Bookies.com oddsmaker Adam Thompson

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2022 Draft Fits

With the Giants having two of the top seven picks, they likely will use those picks on an offensive tackle and a pass rusher. But which order will they take them and who might be the best fit for each spot?

At No. 5, the Giants have to be hoping that either Evan Neal (Alabama) or Ikem Ekwonu (North Carolina State) fall to them. Both have guard experience but can play either tackle spot if needed. Neal is probably the better fit as he has fantastic size and is a rare athlete. But make no mistake, the Giants should be thrilled if either makes it to them at No. 5.

If both offensive tackles are off the board, look for Kayvon Thibodeaux (Oregon) to be a legit option at No. 5. Going into the 2021 college season, the belief was that Thibodeaux was the consensus No. 1 pick in the class. But after a so-so junior season, it’s possible that he could fall to pick No. 5 or even pick No. 7. If the Giants decide to take the pass rusher at No. 5, don’t be surprised if Charles Cross (Mississippi State) or Trevor Penning (Northern Iowa) is the pick at No. 7. It’s just too far-fetched to believe that the Giants will come out of the first round without selecting an offensive tackle.

Another player to watch for the Giants in the first round is cornerback Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner from Cincinnati. With the Giants exploring a trade of cornerback James Bradberry, Gardner could take over his spot as the No. 1 cornerback on the roster. Gardner has outstanding size, length and ball skills to be a shutdown cornerback in the NFL sooner rather than later.

On Day 2 and Day 3 of the draft, look for the Giants to continue to beef up their trenches. But don't be surprised if the Giants look to grab a linebacker early in the second round, as there could be a ton of value, especially if someone like Nakobe Dean (Georgia) were to fall. If Dean isn’t available, two other Georgia linebackers (Channing Tindall and Quay Walker) would both be excellent picks any time in the second round.

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