The 2022 NFL draft is closer than you think — a little over six months away, and the mock drafts are becoming more cogent as more data from the college and pro ranks become available.
The New York Giants have two first round picks next April in Las Vegas — their own and the one they got from the Chicago Bears in the Justin Fields/Kadarius Toney trade last draft day.
Those two selections are sizing up to be the No. 8 and No. 9 overall picks in this draft and here’s who the staff at Pro Football Network has the Giants taking in their latest mock.
No. 8 New York Giants – Aidan Hutchinson, EDGE, Michigan
Aidan Hutchinson is the next edge rusher off the board, heading to the Giants with their first of two picks in the top 11 selections. Hutchinson has had a tremendous year at Michigan in 2021, routinely pushing the pocket and affecting the opposing offense in more ways than one. He has terrific strength and power to push tackles back, and what has been most surprising in 2021 is the speed at which he can assert his dominance.
And with the very next pick…
No. 9 – New York Giants – Tyler Linderbaum, C, Iowa
The Giants’ second pick in the top nine selections sees them address one of the most underrated positions in football — center. Tyler Linderbaum is a generational talent in an era of the term being tossed around too freely. He possesses everything a player needs to anchor his future NFL offensive line for the next decade. Linderbaum immediately improves New York’s front five.
I’m down with both picks now that it’s been decided that Daniel Jones is here to stay. I would actually not mind if both selections were used on offensive linemen, but Hutchinson reminds me a little of J.J. Watt when he came out and who couldn’t use a player like that?
Linderbaum is a solid center prospect and if any of you have read my work the past few years, you know I’ve been calling for the Giants to fill this spot with a stud rather than looking around by converting guards or signing underwhelming free agents.
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