Gene Clemons's 7-Round New York Giants Only Mock Draft

Let's check in with Coach Gene Clemons to see how his Giants-only mock draft plays out.

Author:
Gene Clemons
Publish date:
Apr 6, 2023 10:38 AM EDT

In this story:

First thing first: How I approach a draft might differ from others, but that's great for you. Do you really want to see the same names that everybody else has regurgitated to you in every other mock draft? Of course not.

The second thing to remember is that I'm not predicting any trades. Although I believe the Giants could make a trade to move up or down, I have no idea how they would or which way they would go. I believe this is a potential trade-down year for the Giants based on the cap and trying to position themselves to clean up on day two of the draft this year and next.

However, with so much uncertainty, I think it is safer and shows your understanding of the draft to be able to make selections at the places already known.

Remember that these are my picks based on what I believe the team should do, not what they will do. It is my evaluation of what's needed and what's out there. I used the Pro Football Network's draft simulator to conduct my draft. I turned down all of the trades offered.

As always, I used the recently released 2023 edition of the Football Gameplan Draft Guide for my big board and reference for players in the draft.

With all that said, let's get started!

Round 1, No. 25: Edge Nolan Smith

Height: 6-foot-2 | Weight: 238 lbs. | School: Georgia

Off The Board: WR’s Quentin Johnson and Jalin Hyatt; CB’s Devon Witherspoon, Kelee Ringo, Cam Smith, and Deonte Banks; DL Brian Breese

In the first round, there was a serious run on cornerbacks. Five corners were taken before pick 25, and two of the more intriguing X-receiver prospects were also gone.

Penn State corner Joey Porter Jr was still available, but Nolan Smith kept staring me in the face. All of the other positions of need which I had rated higher were still on the board and would most likely be there on Day 2. That allowed me to take the best talent available.

Both Kayvon Thibodeaux and Azeez Ojulari struggled through injuries, and for as promising of a duo as they are, the results were still not at the elite level. Smith provides next-level athleticism off the edge, and he could develop into someone you move around the defense.

He is used to playing in a defense with a collection of stars, so he knows how to be productive even if he is not receiving the lion’s share of the snap. Adding a legitimate third pass rusher to a defense that wants to apply pressure will be a plus and reduce the snaps on the bodies of the two incumbents.

FBGP Report: #3 Edge Rusher, Grade: 80 (Low-end potential Pro Bowler)

Strengths: - Explosive off the edge with a tremendous 1st step. He can rush off both ends, showing the same good ability in doing so. - I think he’s got a lot of pass-rushing tools in his toolbox. Can win with power, speed, and also finesse. Has a one-arm stab that helps him get the edge; can slice across an OL’s face and use a shoulder dip to get around the corner. - Great eyes for the position, able to quickly diagnose. Uses his hands very well at the POA & disengaging from blocks

Areas of Improvement: - At times, will lose contain unnecessarily in pursuit of the QB or ball carrier, with no twist behind it. - Measured in at 238 pounds at the combine, could be a hair light for an exclusive hand-in-the-dirt role.

Round 2, No. 57: CB D.J. Turner II

Height: 5-foot-11 | Weight: 178 lbs. | School: Michigan

Round two saw another run on edge rushers as seven were taken before pick 57. Jack Campbell, the All-American linebacker from Iowa, who was one of the guys I had an eye on in the second round, was taken two spots ahead of me, and Cincinnati’s Ivan Pace Jr was taken at pick 57.

So I quickly pivoted away from linebacker and snatched up DJ Turner, the cornerback out of Michigan. He is excellent in man coverage and physical at the line of scrimmage--just the type of cornerback that thrives in a Wink Martindale type of system.

Undoubtedly, the Giants need help at cornerback, and although they have young pieces returning and brought in intriguing veterans, they still need to continue to improve overall. Turner will bring instant competition from a guy who has the potential to be a plug-and-play guy as a field, boundary, or slot corner.

FBGP Report: #3 Field Corner, Grade:77 (High-end Solid NFL Starter)

Strengths: - Very good technique and footwork at the LOS. He’s got the quiet, busy feet that affords him the opportunity to press without using his hands. - Fluidly is able to turn and run with the receiver when he has to open his hips. Can stay in phase while also condensing the space the receiver has to work with on the sideline. - Good hand usage to play the ball once it arrives. He’s an active player around the catch point, able to be a nuisance in that regard. Good athleticism to play the Field Corner or Slot

Areas of Improvement: - Much better in man coverage than he is in zone coverage. In zone he tends to widen out a bit too much when there’s no threat, essentially taking himself out of range to drive on the ball. - Will need to continue to get stronger as he moves forward to better deal with the physicality of the pro game.

Round 3, No. 89: WR Xavier Hutchinson

Height: 6-foot-2 | Weight: 203 lbs. | School: Iowa State

Off The Board: Centers John Michael Schmitz, Joe Tippmann, Luke Wypler

After my second-round pick, there was a good run on centers, and three of the more well-known, highly regarded prospects came off the board. I was not overly concerned because I was not zeroing in on those players for the position.

I was, however, focused on one player that I thought about taking in round two, but I held out hope that he would fall to me: Iowa State All-American Xavier Hutchinson. He is a true X-receiver and has the hands and explosiveness to be a routine threat out wide.

He will mesh with the versatility of the receiver group in New York, which is a combination of slots and guys who can play in the slot or as a Z receiver off the line of scrimmage.

You combine those moveable pieces with a guy like Hutchinson, who can run crisp routes, catch in traffic and use his body to get open; It was hard to pass up. I think I secured a steal by grabbing him in the third round.

FBGP Report: #3 Wide Receiver X, Grade:79.5 (Low-end Potential Pro Bowler)

Strengths: - Excellent hands at all levels of the field, and through all situations. Razor sharp focus on the point of the ball & hauls it in. - Great body control for a taller wideout. Shows up in how he’s able to sink his hips to get in-and-out of his breaks & how he’s able to contort his body for an acrobatic catch. - Understands when/where to play big. When he gets that inside release, he does a great job of subtly leaning into the DB before snapping back out. Solid route runner vs Zone

Areas of Improvement: - Gets a bit cloudy at the apex of his route. Needs to be much smoother in that aspect. - Getting more violent with his hands within the route could be another area for growth. He allows the defender to slow him down out of his break

Round 4, No. 128 : OC Olusegun Oluwatimi

Height: 6-foot-2.5 | Weight: 309 lbs. | School: Michigan

Off The Board: S Jordan Battle, TE Zack Kuntz, LB Henry To’o To’o

This was where I knew I needed to focus on acquiring a center. Positional value has placed such deemphasis on the center position, it has allowed teams to believe that they can just throw a guard or tackle at the position and teach them how to snap, but you see the difference automatically when there is a player bred at the position.

It was interesting that Olusegun Oluwatimi was still available in the fourth round after claiming every award and accolade afforded to a center in 2022. Scouts projected other talents ahead of him; thus, he stood waiting for me to scoop him up.

The truth is that I believe Oluwatimi is a first-round talent and that he has a chance to come in and claim the starting spot immediately. One of the issues in pass protection and the run game last season for New York is that the center was easily displaced into the backfield. That won’t be the case with Oluwatimi.

He is strong, and he knows how to use that strength. He can latch on to defenders and never let them go. Placing him in a lineup with three other young linemen, if Joshua Ezeudu can claim that left guard position, would give the Giants a solid foundation unit for years to come.

FBGP Report: #5 Center, Grade:76 (High end Solid Starter)

Strengths: - Excellent core strength and functional strength. Trying to move him off the spot is like trying to push a concrete slab uphill. - Once he locks onto a defender, he’s effectively able to turn and pin him to either side. - Anchor strength is exactly where you’d need it to be. Rarely does he get walked back into the QB’s lap. - Helped spearhead one of the best rushing attacks in college football.

Areas of Improvement: - Footwork isn’t the best, as he tends to play from the same spot from where he snapped the ball. Needs to be better at keeping his feet moving. When he does, defenders go away. - Defenders with length are able to get their hands on him first, stalemate him at the LOS and read what’s going on in the backfield. - Can diagnose stunts & twists, but the footwork and agility doesn’t always allow him to get there.

Round 5, No. 160: Linebacker Jalen Graham

Height: 6'2" | Weight: 220 lbs. | School: Purdue

Off The Board: Edge Isaiah Land, RB Chase Brown

Yes, the team added a linebacker in free agency, but the other linebacker spot is still unknown.

What is known about the NFL is that you need linebackers who can run and cover. Very similar to corner, this team has young linebackers, but they all come with many questions. So the team needs to keep adding linebackers and hope they find a jewel.

Graham has the chance to be a jewel in the fifth round. What stands out most about the Big Ten product is that he is used to standing up to heavy-run games. He is also versatile enough to play safety in a dime package. He will need to put some size on him to withstand the punishment of an NFL season, but he has all the tools.

FBGP Report: #5 OLB (Will), Grade:76.5 (High-end Solid Starter)

Strengths: - Such a versatile chess piece on defense. Has the ability to play LB or Safety as a pro player. Did so at Purdue in sort of a hybrid role. Very good athlete and instincts to handle those duties. Good length and open-field tackling ability. - Shows good physicality at the POA. Able to set a physical edge, fit the run game up nicely and blitz & close on the run game rather well. - Understands how to play matchup zone coverage, while also being able to run with TEs in man coverage.

Areas of Improvement: - When asked to cover receivers, his hips can get put in conflict, as he’s not as fluid in that regard to flip them when a receiver makes an out-breaking route. - Can be a bit grabby in coverage at times, which could yield free first downs at the pro level.

Round 5, No 172: Safety Trey Dean

Height: 6-foot-2 | Weight: 211 lbs. | School: Florida

Off The Board: Safeties Rashad Torrence II, Jammie Robinson, Jalen Green

Dean still around in round five was a definite find. The Giants are not desperate for help at safety, but the value here is too high to ignore.

He is a guy who had the potential to be drafted in the top 100, so getting that value now is fantastic. He will be an instant upgrade on special teams, and his experience playing cornerback as well as safety will fit in well in a defense where Martindale values versatility in his defensive backs, especially at safety. Dean has a chance to develop similarly to recently departed safety Julian Love.

FBGP Report: #7 Safety (Combo), Grade:74.5 (Solid Starter)

Strengths: - Fantastic ability as a defensive back. Former corner turned Safety who was able to remind folks of his coverage ability at the Shrine Bowl. - In man coverage situations, he’s able to match up extremely well vs WRs and TEs. He’s consistent in that aspect of his game. - Good leadership skills, always communicating out on the field. Shows proficiency as a blitzer and run defender. Does a good job in top-down situations as well.

Areas of Improvement: - When he’s in true zone situations, it’s hard for him to shut off the cornerback eyes he has and has a bunch of busts in zone coverage. Some aren’t as detrimental as others but it’s still noticeable. - Has to be much more disciplined in terms of his zone drops and when/where he carries or jumps a route.

Round 6, No. 209: Receiver Jason Brownlee Jr

Height: 6-foot-2 | Weight: 202 lbs. | School: Southern Miss

Off The Board: RB Hunter Luepke, Chris Rodriguez Jr., Deuce Vaughn

When you get into later rounds, you look for attributes that someone can't coach. On top of being an athletic X-receiver, Brownlee has a "see ball, catch ball" mentality. 50/50 balls are like 80/20 balls to the SMU product.

He has strong hands, and he uses them to catch the ball. He rarely lets it get into his body. He plucks the ball out of the air. Like most in these rounds, he has things to improve on, but he provides the Giants with another big-bodied receiver to go with their various move pieces.

FBGP Report: #9 Wide Receiver X, Grade:75.5 (Solid Starter)

Strengths: - Alpha mentality out there on the field. Arrogant hands that can catch virtually anything thrown his way. - Has a really good focus on the ball, whether it’s over his head or screaming right at him, he’s able to haul it in. - Very good athleticism, and able to use his entire frame to his advantage. Great week at the NFLPA Bowl. - Shows proficiency in stacking the defensive back, then subsequently tracking the ball perfectly downfield. - Underrated giddy up once he catches the football.

Areas of Improvement: - Has a tendency to tip off his get-off and release when the ball is coming his way. - Routes are a bit inconsistent, especially those that are more of the in-breaking route variety.

Round 7, No. 240: OC Alex Forsyth

Height: 6-foot-4 | Weight: 303 lbs. | School: Oregon

Off The Board: QB’s Malik Cunningham, Max Duggan, Tyson Bagent

This is one of the steals of the draft. Centers dropped so low that the top-rated guy on the FBGP board at the position was still there. I didn't take him over Oluwatimi in round four because Oluwatimi is one of the strongest centers in the draft, and he anchors down very well.

Forsyth is probably the most cerebral center in the draft. His ability to adjust to movement during a rep is second to none. He does a great job of picking up and switching stunts. His eye discipline is great. If he gets stronger to withstand bullrushes, he will be dynamic.

The competition between the two rookies should bring the best out of each other and provide the Giants with much-needed quality depth at the position.

FBGP Report: #1 Center, Grade: 80 (Low end Potential Pro Bowl)

Strengths: - Excellent recognition up front. One of the more heady Centers in the draft class. Quickly is able to sniff out stunts, twists and delayed pressure, then is subsequently able to pick them up. - Good footwork, hand technique and usage. It’s rather consistent from down to down, no matter the opponent. Does a really good job in ‘playing the piano’. - Able to climb to the second level well and also get out and around on pulls and screens.

Areas of Improvement: - Will need to continue to improve his core strength to handle the consistency of explosive power he’ll see at the NFL level. - Keeping his feet moving while engaged in the run game is another area for growth

Round 7, No. 243: TE Kemari Averett

Height: 6-foot-6 | Weight: 260 lbs. | School: Bethune-Cookman

Off The Board: WR Elijah Higgins

Averett is a big receiver right now, but he has the potential to be similar to Darren Waller. He's a project as he adjusts to the NFL but athletic talents like this you draft instead of allowing them to pick their destination as an undrafted free agent.

It provides depth should injury issues arise during the season, especially with Waller. He can be a power forward on the field and box out defenders for the ball, and he is deceptively fast for his size.

FBGP Report: #5 Tight End (Flex), Grade: 75 (Low-end Solid Starter)

Strengths: - Moves rather well for a player his size. Doesn’t feel like he’s 260-pounds. Good overall athleticism to play flexed out more at the position. Could even be an outside jump ball guy inside the red zone. Solid showing at NFLPA & Legacy Bowl - Very natural hands catcher, good comfortability to catch the ball away from his body. Wide catch radius and leaping ability to win the 50/50 balls. - Was essentially the team’s #1 option and still found consistency every week. Good HBCU Combine.

Areas of Improvement: - Blocking at the POA is a bit inconsistent. Defenders are able to cross his face often, getting themselves into the backfield in pursuit of the ball carrier. - Play strength in the blocking area of his game has to improve. Needs to bring it every down in that capacity. Gives up too much ground inline.

Round 7, No. 254: DT Darel Middleton

Height: 6-foot-6 | Weight: 306 lbs. | School: Bethel (TN)

Off The Board: OG T.J. Bass and Jerome Carvin

Middleton could be another steal. People will be thrown off by the school, but in addition to Bethel University, Middleton played at Tennessee as well and was very effective.

He is a violent playmaker who could play across the interior defensive line. He could be just the thing the Giants need as a guy to groom for the eventual departure of Leonard Williams.

Again, there's a chance that he goes undrafted, but you don't take that chance if you think he had starter potential, which I believe he does.

FBGP Report: #3 Defensive Tackle, Grade: 77 (High-end Solid Starter)

Strengths: - Really good combination of size and athleticism. For a big guy, Middleton can definitely move. Where his athleticism really stands out is in pursuit of the ball carrier. Shrinks space rather well. - Good pad level and contact power, really gets a ton of movement up front. Also very good with his hands, able to play from a position of control. - Coming off of a solid week of work at the Hula Bowl where he showed there wasn’t any drop off from his time in SEC.

Areas of Improvement: - At times his aggressiveness can be a detriment in terms of misdirection. Has to be able to play with a tad bit more control in that aspect as a pro. - Has to make sure to keep feet moving no matter what. At times they just stop upon contact, which can’t happen at the next level.