Who will be calling the shots for the New York Giants when they find themselves on the clock in the 2022 NFL draft? As of right now, it’s anyone’s guess.
What can be guessed however, is who the Giants will take with their two first-round picks. And although many believe it will be a quarterback, Michael Renner of Pro Football Focus expects New York to go in a different direction.
In Renner’s latest mock draft, he has the Giants selecting Purdue edge rusher George Karlaftis with the No. 6 overall pick.
6. NEW YORK GIANTS (VIA CHICAGO): EDGE GEORGE KARLAFTIS, PURDUE
Karlaftis was one of the most consistent edge-rushers in the country this past season, finishing with a 90.6 pass-rushing grade. He’s got inside-outside versatility and a motor that won’t quit. At 275 pounds, he’d be a decidedly different kind of edge rusher across from the speedier Azeez Ojulari.
With the very next pick, Renner again shies away from a quarterback. Instead, he has the Giants addressing their most obvious need with the selection of Mississippi State offensive tackle Charles Cross.
7. NEW YORK GIANTS: OT CHARLES CROSS, MISSISSIPPI STATE
The Giants need pass protection in any way, shape or form they can get it. Cross can bring that to the tackle position when Nate Solder moves on. He allowed only 16 pressures on a ridiculous 719 pass-blocking snaps this season.
Cross is certainly rising up draft boards but at No. 7 overall? That might be a little too high for right now, but we’ll see how that perception changes in the coming weeks and months.
