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Mel Kiper Mock Draft

Heisenberg : 1/19/2022 8:16 am
Quote:


1. Aidan Hutchinson
2. K Thibodeaux
3. Evan Neal
4. Kyle Hamilton

5. New York Giants
Ikem Ekwonu, OT, NC State

There has been a lot of recent buzz around Ekwonu, whose stock is rising. He dominated at left tackle for the Wolfpack this season after playing some guard earlier in his career. Based on the 2021 tape, there's not much separating Ekwonu from Evan Neal, and I wouldn't be surprised if Ekwonu was the top tackle off the board in April. He has All-Pro potential as a run-blocker and as a pass-blocker.

For the Giants -- who haven't yet replaced coach Joe Judge or general manager Dave Gettleman -- this would be top-five tackles in two of the past three drafts, but even though Andrew Thomas played better this season, the right tackle spot is far from settled. They just have to get better up front, and taking Ekwonu is a step toward that. Like the Jets, they have two top-10 picks, and they could go offense with the No. 7 selection.

6. Charles Cross

7. New York Giants (via CHI)
David Ojabo, OLB, Michigan

It's always tough to project for teams that haven't hired new general managers, so here's my thinking for this pick, which comes from the Bears in the Justin Fields trade up last year: The Giants have some solid options on defense, but it's fair to say they underperformed as a unit in 2021. The best way to get better as a whole? Pressure the quarterback, which helps every level of the defense. Rookie second-round pick Azeez Ojulari had a nice season, leading the team with eight sacks, but they don't have another top-tier edge rusher on the other side.

Ojabo can help the pass rush immediately. He had an incredibly impressive season, racking up 11 sacks and five forced fumbles while playing opposite my projected No. 1 pick, Aidan Hutchinson. He doesn't have Hutchinson's all-around game -- he has to get better against the run -- but as a pure pass-rusher, he has a very high ceiling. With these two top-seven selections, New York can get high-end starters on both sides of the ball.



First qb taken is Willis at 11, Pickett goes 18 and Corral makes it to Pitts at 20.

The QBs unfolding that way seems unlikely. I have to imagine that one of these teams falls in love and trades up.

Link - ( New Window )
First 4 seem accurate  
armstead98 : 1/19/2022 8:18 am : link
Unfortunately feels like there’s a drop off at 5.

I like Ojabo and would be good with this as long as ekwonu or cross grades out as worthy of 5
RE: First 4 seem accurate  
Heisenberg : 1/19/2022 8:23 am : link
In comment 15560439 armstead98 said:
Quote:
Unfortunately feels like there’s a drop off at 5.

I like Ojabo and would be good with this as long as ekwonu or cross grades out as worthy of 5


I personally feel like Ekwonu is worthy of top 5. I think he has a higher floor than Neal, for example. You can envision Neal being dominant, but also possibly struggling with speed. Ojabo feels like a reach there and I'm not swayed by Kiper's reasoning.
Several other mocks have had those two  
jeff57 : 1/19/2022 8:25 am : link
No problem with Okwonu, but need to see more of Ojabo and how he does at the combine. They'd have the Nigerian market locked down with those two.
For a team desperate for OL help  
Dnew15 : 1/19/2022 8:25 am : link
it's becoming clear that there are three top top OL with Neal/the kid from NC st/Cross.

If I'm the Giants...at this point...if they draft 2 at #s 5 and 7 would anyone be upset?
RE: For a team desperate for OL help  
jeff57 : 1/19/2022 8:27 am : link
In comment 15560449 Dnew15 said:
Quote:
it's becoming clear that there are three top top OL with Neal/the kid from NC st/Cross.

If I'm the Giants...at this point...if they draft 2 at #s 5 and 7 would anyone be upset?


No, because Okwonu could play guard.
Would love this draft  
Jim in Forest Hills : 1/19/2022 8:48 am : link
Ekwonu at ORT,a true run mauler. Ojabo to pair with Ojulari. Would be thrilled. Take George Pickens in the 2nd rd and a OC/OG in the 3rd.
Would love  
MyNameIsMyName : 1/19/2022 8:50 am : link
This draft
Kiper Picks  
NJLCO : 1/19/2022 8:54 am : link
He seems to be the guy every draft but does he get it right in at least the top 10? I should start to write this stuff down but if I recall he doesn’t seem to ever get it right.
I like  
Biteymax22 : 1/19/2022 8:57 am : link
Both these guys but will admit, I haven't really started watching film on Cross yet.
would love this draft as well  
mphbullet36 : 1/19/2022 8:59 am : link
Ideally I would love a slight trade back to nab Ojabo a bit later but my guess is he kills the combine which his athlete athleticism on the edge and potentially works his way to consensus top 10 type pick.
 
ryanmkeane : 1/19/2022 9:01 am : link
trenches draft. Hell yes
I would be thrilled  
arniefez : 1/19/2022 9:05 am : link
With those 2 picks
that would be my ideal realistic draft...  
Capt. Don : 1/19/2022 9:06 am : link
.
Would not be upset using those to picks on the Oline  
Mike from Ohio : 1/19/2022 9:09 am : link
and a pass rusher. If they both grade out worth those picks I will take it.
Every year we  
Keaton028 : 1/19/2022 9:10 am : link
claim there is a drop off in quality after the first x number of picks, and every year that proves not to really be the case. Get a GM who does his HW and who can make quality picks in every round of the draft. I promise you there’ll be good players at 5 and 7.
I'd take a serious look at taking Willis with the #7 pick  
Gruber : 1/19/2022 9:18 am : link
and I believe the new GM will also take a serious look.
The season hasn't ended yet, so there is not full attention on these prospects, but when there is, I reckon Willis's stock is going to rise. He would be ideal to sit behind Jones or a stop-gap QB.
These are always interesting reads  
Beer Man : 1/19/2022 9:19 am : link
But as Mel stated, its really hard to predict without knowing who the GM and HC are going to be, and (in this case) what D formation will the team utilize 3-4 or 4-3.
I think people  
Sammo85 : 1/19/2022 9:26 am : link
clamoring or hoping for a QB run are going to be really disappointed.

I think there is a good chance Pickett drops into the 20s and the rest become 2nd or 3rd rounders.

I'm a fan of Ekwonu, but I'm not sold on him as a T. I see a Pro Bowl caliber G however with his profile and ability on pass and run blocking (which we sorely need on interior - solid on run and pass).
Would be very happy with that scenario,  
barens : 1/19/2022 9:28 am : link
Ojabo has much upside left to him.
Not a fan of Ojabo that high  
TheMick7 : 1/19/2022 9:32 am : link
With Hutchinson garnering double & triple teams,hard for someone not to excel. He is very talented, but I think #7 is way too high!
If  
jtfuoco : 1/19/2022 9:39 am : link
The giants just followed what Kiper Mocked they would be in a lot better position today then they are. That's how bad the Giants drafts have been this past decade
At this time last year, Kiper's top-15 vs. reality  
AJ23 : 1/19/2022 9:44 am : link
1. JAX - Trevor Lawrence (JAX - Trevor Lawrence)
2. NYJ - DeVonta Smith (NYJ - Zach Wilson)
3. MIA - Jamarr Chase (-> SF - Trey Lance)
4. ATL - Zach Wilson (ATL - Kyle Pitts)
5. CIN - Penei Sewell (CIN - Jamarr Chase)
6. PHI - Jaylen Waddle (-> MIA - Jaylen Waddle)
7. DET - Justin Fields (DET - Penei Sewell)
8. CAR - Trey Lance (CAR - Jaycee Horn)
9. DEN - Micah Parsons (DEN - Patrick Surtain)
10. DAL - Rashawn Slater (-> PHI - DeVonta Smith)
11. NYG - Kyle Pitts (-> CHI - Justin Fields)
12. SF - Patrick Surtain (-> DAL - Micah Parsons)
13. LAC - Christian Darrisaw (LAC - Rashawn Slater)
14. MIN - Alijah Vera-Tucker (-> NYJ - Alijah Vera-Tucker)
15. NE - Mac Jones (NE - Mac Jones)
i'm reversing my previous stance about WR  
GiantsFan84 : 1/19/2022 9:47 am : link
i think this team should go charles cross and drake london w the first 2 picks. the more i see of london, that dude is special w larry fitz vibes. guy is big and catches anything near him.

i favor cross of ekwonu. it's a passing league now and give me the better pass protector over the better run blocker 10/10 times
Ojabo  
Blue92 : 1/19/2022 10:13 am : link
His lack of playing experience combined with his apparently high ceiling remind me a lot of JPP when he came out. How does Ojabo compare to him as a draft prospect?
RE: i'm reversing my previous stance about WR  
Angel Eyes : 1/19/2022 10:17 am : link
In comment 15560581 GiantsFan84 said:
Quote:
i think this team should go charles cross and drake london w the first 2 picks. the more i see of london, that dude is special w larry fitz vibes. guy is big and catches anything near him.

i favor cross of ekwonu. it's a passing league now and give me the better pass protector over the better run blocker 10/10 times

I would not be adverse to drafting a WR in the first three rounds (went with one of Ridder’s targets Alec Pierce a few times), but not London. How ready is he going to be for the upcoming season on that ankle?
RE: Would love this draft  
PatersonPlank : 1/19/2022 10:20 am : link
In comment 15560472 Jim in Forest Hills said:
Quote:
Ekwonu at ORT,a true run mauler. Ojabo to pair with Ojulari. Would be thrilled. Take George Pickens in the 2nd rd and a OC/OG in the 3rd.


Would really like this too. Great draft IMO
Cannot forget about TE  
Sammo85 : 1/19/2022 10:21 am : link
We need to draft a TE somewhere (and not too too late).
RE: At this time last year, Kiper's top-15 vs. reality  
Festina Lente : 1/19/2022 10:30 am : link
In comment 15560574 AJ23 said:
Quote:
1. JAX - Trevor Lawrence (JAX - Trevor Lawrence)
2. NYJ - DeVonta Smith (NYJ - Zach Wilson)
3. MIA - Jamarr Chase (-> SF - Trey Lance)
4. ATL - Zach Wilson (ATL - Kyle Pitts)
5. CIN - Penei Sewell (CIN - Jamarr Chase)
6. PHI - Jaylen Waddle (-> MIA - Jaylen Waddle)
7. DET - Justin Fields (DET - Penei Sewell)
8. CAR - Trey Lance (CAR - Jaycee Horn)
9. DEN - Micah Parsons (DEN - Patrick Surtain)
10. DAL - Rashawn Slater (-> PHI - DeVonta Smith)
11. NYG - Kyle Pitts (-> CHI - Justin Fields)
12. SF - Patrick Surtain (-> DAL - Micah Parsons)
13. LAC - Christian Darrisaw (LAC - Rashawn Slater)
14. MIN - Alijah Vera-Tucker (-> NYJ - Alijah Vera-Tucker)
15. NE - Mac Jones (NE - Mac Jones)


Wow. His top 15 picks turned out pretty darn well
Not suggesting Kiper's guys are who we should draft but this  
Jimmy Googs : 1/19/2022 10:42 am : link
comment he made regarding our Defense is really spot on...

Quote:
It's always tough to project for teams that haven't hired new general managers, so here's my thinking for this pick, which comes from the Bears in the Justin Fields trade up last year: The Giants have some solid options on defense, but it's fair to say they underperformed as a unit in 2021. The best way to get better as a whole? Pressure the quarterback, which helps every level of the defense. Rookie second-round pick Azeez Ojulari had a nice season, leading the team with eight sacks, but they don't have another top-tier edge rusher on the other side.

Giants shouldn’t mess around  
Earl the goat : 1/19/2022 10:49 am : link
Draft Ikem for guard and Cross for RT
Fix the OLine once and for all
Pretty simple to me  
thedogfather : 1/19/2022 10:55 am : link
Take Neal or Eknowu at 5 and an edge at 7 unless you fall in love with Linderbaum. I don't think this is the draft to take a Safety or a CB considering the lack of talent we have on each line. UNLESS you think that player has HOF potential.
,....  
BleedBlue : 1/19/2022 11:35 am : link
id LOVE this draft.

is it possible ojabo has greater ceiling than hutch?

I really like this first round for us.

ideally could we trade from 7 to 10 or 11 and still get ojabo? that be great, otherwise, sign me up
RE: At this time last year, Kiper's top-15 vs. reality  
CT Charlie : 1/19/2022 12:17 pm : link
In comment 15560574 AJ23 said:
Quote:
1. JAX - Trevor Lawrence (JAX - Trevor Lawrence)
2. NYJ - DeVonta Smith (NYJ - Zach Wilson)
3. MIA - Jamarr Chase (-> SF - Trey Lance)
4. ATL - Zach Wilson (ATL - Kyle Pitts)
5. CIN - Penei Sewell (CIN - Jamarr Chase)
6. PHI - Jaylen Waddle (-> MIA - Jaylen Waddle)
7. DET - Justin Fields (DET - Penei Sewell)
8. CAR - Trey Lance (CAR - Jaycee Horn)
9. DEN - Micah Parsons (DEN - Patrick Surtain)
10. DAL - Rashawn Slater (-> PHI - DeVonta Smith)
11. NYG - Kyle Pitts (-> CHI - Justin Fields)
12. SF - Patrick Surtain (-> DAL - Micah Parsons)
13. LAC - Christian Darrisaw (LAC - Rashawn Slater)
14. MIN - Alijah Vera-Tucker (-> NYJ - Alijah Vera-Tucker)
15. NE - Mac Jones (NE - Mac Jones)


Thank you for compiling this. Somewhere I hope someone keeps track of which draft gurus do the best job of evaluating talent rather than predicting picks. I'd like to see the spreadsheet of draft-day grades vs. actual performance after 3 years in the league. I know that assessing actual performance would be difficult to measure, but there must be some analytics gurus who are tracking this.
I am all for drafting multiple linemen in this draft and have thought  
Dinger : 1/19/2022 1:39 pm : link
that 2 in the first round would go a long way towards improving the line. I have a couple of reservations though. Having, ultimately, 3 1st round picks on the OL makes it pretty expensive and cap 'unfriendly'. Also, part of me knows that the draft is a crapshoot and perhaps taking another position along with a OL in the 1st round is a better way to 'spread' the draft pick risk. I think that other position HAS to be an EDGE rusher. We are SORELY lacking someone to constant put pressure on the QB and there were at least a handful of games where this would have made the difference. Does taking Karlifitis at 7 make sense or is it a reach(assuming the other two go before 7)?
I like Ikem Okwonu  
SleepyOwl : 1/19/2022 2:06 pm : link
A lot!!!!!! He will be a better pro than Evan Neal. I HATE the Ojabu pick with Stingley still on the board. Ojabu is NOT a top 10 pick. Draft Stingley and get out of one of those insane contracts Gettleman gave Bradbury and Jackson… preferably Jackson.
Willis's talent is high first round caliber...  
bw in dc : 1/19/2022 2:35 pm : link
If he hits, and that's a very interesting if, it's one helluva gamble. High risk, high reward.
RE: At this time last year, Kiper's top-15 vs. reality  
Jimmy Googs : 1/19/2022 2:43 pm : link
In comment 15560574 AJ23 said:
Quote:
1. JAX - Trevor Lawrence (JAX - Trevor Lawrence)
2. NYJ - DeVonta Smith (NYJ - Zach Wilson)
3. MIA - Jamarr Chase (-> SF - Trey Lance)
4. ATL - Zach Wilson (ATL - Kyle Pitts)
5. CIN - Penei Sewell (CIN - Jamarr Chase)
6. PHI - Jaylen Waddle (-> MIA - Jaylen Waddle)
7. DET - Justin Fields (DET - Penei Sewell)
8. CAR - Trey Lance (CAR - Jaycee Horn)
9. DEN - Micah Parsons (DEN - Patrick Surtain)
10. DAL - Rashawn Slater (-> PHI - DeVonta Smith)
11. NYG - Kyle Pitts (-> CHI - Justin Fields)
12. SF - Patrick Surtain (-> DAL - Micah Parsons)
13. LAC - Christian Darrisaw (LAC - Rashawn Slater)
14. MIN - Alijah Vera-Tucker (-> NYJ - Alijah Vera-Tucker)
15. NE - Mac Jones (NE - Mac Jones)


this is quite impressive actually...
Like the concept  
DavidinBMNY : 1/19/2022 7:35 pm : link
I’d be happy with that, but would really want to see at least 1 day 2 OL for the interior,
Stingley  
Giants73 : 1/19/2022 10:31 pm : link
Does not make it out of the top 5 unless he has some severe injury problems.
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