Mock Draft Monday: Who Do the Draft Experts Like for the Giants at No. 25?
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In the first year of the Joe Schoen-Brian Daboll era, the New York Giants exceeded expectations and shocked many around the NFL world. Daboll was able to help lead the Giants to their first playoff berth since 2016, as well as their first playoff win since Super Bowl 46.
The Giants won’t be playing in the Super Bowl on Sunday, but they established themselves as a rising team prepared to compete yearly. They’ll have nearly $50 million in cap space, and 11 draft picks. Their first pick is the 25th overall selection, a spot many fans are unfamiliar with, as the Giants usually picked anywhere in the top 15 in recent years.
The Giants did well this past season, but there are still a lot of holes to be filled on the roster. There are numerous routes Joe Schoen can take, so here’s what experts think the Giants will do at pick number 25.
2/5/23 - Pro Football Network (Cummings): G O’Cyrus Torrence, Florida
O’Cyrus Torrence is widely considered the best guard in the upcoming draft. The 6’4”, 346-pound lineman from Florida did not allow a single sack during his college career. Torrence played mostly at right guard during his collegiate career but can also play left guard if needed. Torrence is an absolute beast in the run game and is a very solid pass blocker. His power is unmatched, and he is quick on his feet for having such a large frame.
Torrence would be an immediate upgrade over current right guard Mark Glowinski. Glowinski allowed five sacks during the 2022 season and did not help rookie tackle Evan Neal, who had his own struggles. Bringing in Torrence would be an excellent selection for Schoen.
2/3/23 - NFL.com (Edholm): WR Quentin Johnston, TCU
The Giants have been lacking a true No. 1 wide receiver for some time, as it showed up many times during the 2022 season. Quentin Johnston is one of the receivers in this class that would immediately impact the Giants offense.
Johnston played three seasons at TCU, totaling 115 receptions for 2,190 yards and 14 touchdowns. Standing at 6’4” and weighing 215 pounds, Johnston would be a big target for Daniel Jones, assuming he’s re-signed. The thing with Johnston is that he’s a downfield threat and is surprisingly quick, given his long frame. He’s a threat to score anytime he touches the ball and can be a real weapon for this offense.
Johnston is projected to be long gone before pick 25 but would be a great pick if he falls.
2/1/23 - College Football News & 2/5/23 - CBS Sports (Stackpole): WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Ohio State
Ohio State has produced wide receiver talent over the last few years. Garrett Wilson (Jets) and Chris Olave (Saints) were taken last year, and each had 1,000-yard seasons as a rookie.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba would have likely been projected as a top 5-10 pick if injuries didn’t get in the way of his 2022 season. Smith-Njigba played in just two games this past season. However, it’s his 2021 season that still makes him one of the top wide receivers in this class.
In 2021, Smith-Njigba put up 95 receptions for 1,606 yards and nine touchdowns on a team that included Wilson and Olave. His 1,606 receiving yards in 2021 broke the Big Ten record and ended the last five games of that season with at least 100 receiving yards in each contest.
Smith-Njigba has done a lot of work out of the slot but can also line up wide. He is a solid route runner and is a legitimate deep threat when used that way. He’d be another great pick for the Giants if they went this route.
2/2/23 - Yahoo Sports (McDonald): TE Michael Mayer, Notre Dame
The Giants currently have just one tight end under contract for the 2023 season: Daniel Bellinger. Bellinger was a vital part of the offense as a rookie.
If the Giants want to pair Bellinger with a top tight end prospect, they’ll look no further than Michael Mayer. Standing at 6’4”, 250 pounds, Mayer has earned the nickname “Baby Gronk” for his blocking skills and superb catching ability.
Mayer had 67 catches for 809 yards and nine touchdowns last season at Notre Dame. In 2021 as a sophomore, he totaled 840 yards and seven touchdowns. The report on Mayer is simple: He’s a staple when asked to block and is a reliable receiving target. For years to come, he’d undoubtedly be one of Daniel Jones’ favorite targets, along with Bellinger.
CBS Sports (Edwards): TE Darnell Washington, Georgia
Another top tight end prospect heading into this year’s draft, Darnell Washington, is a massive target, standing at 6’7” and 265 pounds.
Washington had 28 catches for 454 yards and two touchdowns last season at Georgia. The numbers aren’t eye-popping, but Washington’s athletic ability in the passing game is evident. He’s tough to bring down and has shown the ability to shake defenders, even jumping over them. Washington is also a good run blocker and can chip well on pass plays. He’s not a huge threat in the receiving game, but he can certainly hurt a defense if put in the right position.
Drafting Washington in the first round would be an interesting choice for the Giants.
2/1/23 - Walter Football: CB Devon Witherspoon, Illinois
The Giants struggled at cornerback all season in 2022. After releasing James Bradberry due to cap reasons, Adoree’ Jackson stepped in nicely as the top cornerback. However, Jackson was the Giants’ only reliable cornerback. Once he went down due to injury, things became difficult to operate, especially down the stretch.
The Giants had Aaron Robinson, Cor’Dale Flott, Fabian Moreau, and Nick McCloud start across from Jackson in 2022. It was a revolving door, and Devon Witherspoon could be the answer to that solution.
Witherspoon had 35 tackles, five passes defended, and three interceptions in 2022. He’s a physical corner that excels in man coverage. Witherspoon would fit perfectly in Wink Martindale’s scheme, assuming he doesn’t leave for a head coaching job this offseason. If the Giants want to sure up their cornerback issue, taking one of the top prospects in the class would be a wise decision.
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