Timothy Lindsey's 7-Round Giants-only Mock Draft

Starting today, we're featuring 7-round New York Giants mock drafts from the Giants Country writers. Up first is newcomer Timothy Lindsey's mock.

Author:
Timothy Lindsey
Publish date:
Apr 3, 2023 3:11 PM EDT

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New York Giants

After the free agency period, the draft is the next best way for all 32 teams to improve their current standing within the league.

Speaking of which, it is mock draft season. With the help of Pro Football Focus's mock draft simulator, I have compiled the following Giants-only seven-round mock draft based on best available.

R1, No. 25: WR Zay Flowers, Boston College

Despite re-signing Darius Slayton and Sterling Shepard and along with the addition of speedster Parris Campbell, and trading for Pro Bowl tight end Darren Waller, the Giants could look to add one more electric playmaker to the offense. Drafting Zay Flowers in the first round would be a good addition to the Giants' offensive weapons.

Despite his small frame (5-foot-9 and 182 pounds), Flowers is an elite player with the ball in his hands. His 4.4 speed adds an element to the offense that opposing defenses need to prepare for.

The All-ACC performer was among the most productive pass-catchers in college last season, tied for fifth in the FBS with 12 touchdown receptions. He is a very slippery receiver with a quick first step and solid ball skills. If he can cut down on the drops--he had nine last season, tying him for fifth-most among this year's draft-eligible receivers, and has dropped 10.8% of his career targets--Flowers could take his already polished game to the next level.

R2, No. 57: C Luke Wypler, Ohio State

With the loss of Nick Gates, who is now a Washington Commander, and Jon Feliciano, last year's starter, now with the 49ers, the Giants need a long-term answer at center. General manager Joe Schoen indicated that the team would be comfortable with Ben Bredeson in the role if he wins the job, but it's worth noting that Bredeson only played 30 snaps at the position last year and isn't signed for the long term.

New Jersey native Luke Wypler, NFL Draft Bible's fourth-rated center, should be the move in the second round. Wypler has great size for a center (6-3, 303 lbs,) and the All-Big Ten performer also understands how to play multiple offensive-line positions, having done so back in high school.

Although still a little raw, Wypler has strong communication skills and is athletic enough to pull around the edge and get into the second level to make blocks. Wypler doesn't own the longest set of arms (31 ⅝”) and struggles against the bullrush, but there is much to work with there should the Giants want to start with a veteran in Bredeson at the position before eventually giving way to the rookie.

R3, No. 89: CB Garrett Williams, Syracuse

A team can never have too many corners, especially cover cornerbacks, which are vital for the pass rush. Adoree’ Jackson, who is under contract for this year, will be back and presumably healthy after missing time last year with a knee injury. On the other side, the Giants figure to have a competition between Cor'Dale Flott, Aaron Robinson, and Nick McCloud, but don't be surprised if the Giants add to that competition on Day 2 of the draft.

If he lasts that long, Syracuse All-ACC defender Garrett Williams could be a nice steal in the third round. Williams is coming off a torn ACL, which probably affects his current draft stock, but make no mistake: Williams is a diamond in the rough.

The first thing to know about Williams is that he is always around the ball. In 2020 and 2021, he led the ACC in pass breakups. He also plays a clean game--whereas a lot of young cornerbacks can be "grabby," Williams, NFL Draft Bible's 14th-ranked cornerback, had zero penalties called against him in the last two years of his college career.

He can match the best wide receivers step-for-step, plays with control, and is a solid tackler who has cut down on his missed tackles every year of his career.

Standing 5-foot-10, Williams doesn't always excel against defending contested catches made by taller receivers. He also needs to take his aggressiveness up another notch at the next level, but overall, his instincts, production, and football IQ are there, making him a solid Day 2 pick if his medicals check out.

R4, No. 128: S Ronnie Hickman, Ohio State

With Julian Love now in Seattle and Tony Jefferson unlikely to return, the Giants will be looking for a new starter at safety to pair with incumbent Xavier McKinney. Jason Pinnock, Dane Belton, Bobby McCain, and Terrell Burgess all figure to be in the mix for the role, but the Giants could also look to add to the group with a prospect such as Ohio State's Ronnie Hickman.

Hickman ranked in the top 10 among safeties in both Production Score and Athleticism Score at the combine, and the two-year starter is widely regarded as one of the best open-field tacklers in the draft. A versatile player capable of lining up at safety or as the nickel back, Hickman is also solid against the run.

That said, Hickman's game still needs a little polish. He has struggled with redirecting, and while he has good enough instincts, he needs to expedite his play diagnosis and his angles and cut down on the missed tackles (34, with double digits in each of his first two seasons). With some polish to clean up some excessive movement that takes him out of plays, Hickman could develop into a solid contributor on the defense.

R5, No. 160: LB Ventrell Miller, Florida

The Giants addressed their inside linebacker position this off-season, re-signing veteran Jarrad Davis and signing free agent Bobby Okereke from the Colts. They're also expecting a healthy Darrian Beavers back this summer, and they have Carter Coughlin, Micah McFadden, and Cam Brown among those who will also compete for roles.

But as we saw last year, quantity doesn't necessarily equate to quality, so we wouldn't be surprised to see a young, talented defender like Ventrell Miller added to the mix.

There is much to like about Miller's game. First, he brings a rugged demeanor and quick diagnosis skills. When he goes to tackle, he squares himself up and puts his shoulder into the waist of the defender, executing the preferred textbook style.

However, there is a question about whether he can be an every-down player, as most of his playing time came on every two downs. He will have to learn how to properly challenge blocks and improve his pass coverage if he would like to become a four-down linebacker. He is not necessarily a playmaker like Fred Warner or Bobby Wagner, who are established veterans. Still, Miller possesses a high football IQ and can contribute to special teams.

R5, No. 172: Edge Yasir Abdullah, Louisville

Abdullah, like Hickman, also ranked in the top 10 of the NFL Scouting Combine at his position in Production Score and Athleticism score. New York already has two young, talented edge-rushers in Kayvon Thibodeaux and Azeez Ojulari. They re-signed Jihad Ward and have Elerson Smith on the roster. Still, the overall depth is on the thin side, as the Giants only managed to get 14.5 sacks from the edge position last year.

This is where an athletic disruptor like Abdullah, who did it all at Louisville, could help. In his final season, he recorded 63 tackles, two interceptions, and four pass deflections in 13 starts. The year prior, he recorded 17.5 tackles for loss and ten sacks. The production level is there, which is something the Giants are looking for when it comes to going after the quarterback and disrupting game plans.

The Florida native is a little shorter than most would like (6-foot-1), but his power and leverage helped him minimize his size issues. He also made a huge impact on special teams, which is a plus as he looks to build his NFL career.

R6, No. 209 (from KC): QB Aidan O’Connell, Purdue

The Giants are not looking for a starting quarterback after Daniel Jones put forth a career year last year, earning a new four-year, $160 million deal. However, drafting a developmental quarterback to potentially become the backup--Tyrod Taylor is only under contract for this season--couldn't hurt.

A player like Aidan O’Connell out of Purdue, who has experience playing in a pro-style system, could be interested in a developmental role. O’Connell finished with the 15th-best Total Score among quarterbacks at the NFL Scouting Combine.

O’Connell is predominantly a pocket passer; his athleticism in moving outside the pocket and his arm strength are not the greatest. He does have good size (6-foot-3, 213 lbs.).

And he's efficient running the play-action game and has good enough accuracy and ball placement. A smart player, he knows when to check the ball down and does not force anything. He does need to work a little better in the face of pressure, as when the pressure got too close for comfort, he felt rushed and would abandon the play when just a few split seconds more might have led to something opening up.

O'Connell is a developmental prospect, no question. Still, there are some tools to work to where perhaps if the Giants eventually need a game manager to step in for Jones if they move on from Taylor, a quarterback like O'Connell could be the guy.

R7, No. 240: RB Mohamed Ibrahim, Minnesota

Although the Giants placed the franchise tag on Saquon Barkley and re-signed backup Matt Breida, the team is considering adding to a room that includes Gary Brightwell and Jashaun Corbin.

One candidate they could add is All-American running back and First-Team All-Big Ten ball carrier Mohamed Ibrahim.

Ibrahim eclipsed 1,000 rushing yards in three of his five seasons. His 5-foot-8 frame is very similar to that of Dameon Pierce or, even going further back, Maurice Jones-Drew. Ibraheim was one of the most patient runners in America in his career (5.4 YPC). He runs hard, which allows him to absorb contact and finish his runs.

He doesn’t have that Christian McCaffrey-like ability to shake defenders in open space, nor does he have elite receiving ability. But he is extremely efficient and tough in short yardage and could give the Giants a threat in short yardage and down by the goal line.

R7: No. 243: G Anthony Bradford, LSU

The Giants might already have plenty of guard candidates on the roster, but adding some size along the trenches never hurts. This is where the 6-foot-4, 332-pound guard Anthony Bradford out of LSU could come into play.

Bradford, who also played tackle, is not only one of the biggest guards in the draft but also one of the most athletic, having posted a Combine Athleticism Score of 81, fourth-best among guards. He runs a 5.08 40-yard dash, which is elite for someone that big.

That size and speed allow him to set the edge on counters and pitches. Bradford might need some refinement at the next level as far as his pass protection goes, but with run blocking being his strength, he could be a nice fill-in for a team that uses the run as much as the Giants.

R7, No. 254: WR Tre Tucker, Cincinnati

You never know what kind of gems are sitting in the final rounds of the NFL Draft. Receivers Donald Driver, Julian Edelman, and Marques Colston are successful seventh round draft picks that made their mark in the NFL. For the Giants, a famous seventh-round draft pick years ago was running back Ahmad Bradshaw.

And although he wasn't a seventh-round pick, future Hall of Fame quarterback Tom Brady, a sixth-round draft pick, certainly worked out well.

The point, of course, is that great value can be found in the late rounds, and Cincinnati receiver Tre Tucker is an intriguing prospect who, if he lands in the seventh round, no doubt aspires to be the next great late-round success story.

Tucker is a smaller wide receiver at 5-foot-8 and 182 lbs. who has drawn comparisons to Super Bowl Champion Percy Harvin. At Cincinnati, Tucker became an All-AAC performer as a returner in 2020 (29.9 KOR average). The former high school track star set career-highs in receiving as a senior in 2022 with 52 catches for 672 receiving yards and three touchdowns (12.9 YPC).

His elusiveness is certainly appealing, as is his special teams ability, which on kickoff returns, the Giants lacked. Regarding his receiving abilities, Tucker needs to work on finishing catches, but he does appear to have play-making ability.