The Giants have to move on from Daniel Jones after this season, right? It seems bound to happen, especially given last week's report that GM Dave Gettleman will be let go at the conclusion of the 2021 campaign.
And with potentially two top-10 picks, there's no reason for the Giants to pass on taking a quarterback, regardless of what everyone thinks about the lack of strength in the class.
For now, keep reading to see how the entire first round unfolds.
No ad available
One other thing, and this is important: Now that we're past the midway point of the season, we're using the 2022 NFL Draft order (via tankathon, with results prior to Monday's game) to determine selections 1-32 below.
NFL Mock Draft
Round 1
Round 1 - Pick 1
Michigan
• Jr
• 6'7"
/ 268 lbs
Hutchinson is a box-checker. And the Lions desperately need a foundational edge rusher. Value meets need here at the top of the draft.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 2
Oregon
• Jr
• 6'5"
/ 258 lbs
After his front-row seat to the Tom Brady era, Nick Caserio certainly understands the importance of the quarterback spot. But this point, picking this high, I think he'll pass on the uncertainty at quarterback and go with a high-upside rusher.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 3
Evan Neal
OL
Alabama
• Jr
• 6'7"
/ 350 lbs
The Jaguars have to get better along their offensive line for Trevor Lawrence. Neal is about as plug-and-play as they come at offensive tackle.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 4
Purdue
• Jr
• 6'4"
/ 263 lbs
Karlaftis is the underrated edge rusher in this class who'd be the first player picked at his position in many other drafts. Robert Saleh will love the idea of Karlaftis and Carl Lawson as his primary defensive ends next season.
| |||
From
Seattle Seahawks
Round 1 - Pick 5
Notre Dame
• Jr
• 6'4"
/ 220 lbs
With Marcus Maye coming off a serious injury in 2022, the safety position is in flux for the Jets. Hamilton can be a do-everything type on the back end for Saleh.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 6
LSU
• Jr
• 6'0"
/ 190 lbs
Stingley would make the, at times, stingy Giants secondary even better. He has legitimate All-Pro skills on the boundary.
| |||
From
Chicago Bears
Round 1 - Pick 7
Pittsburgh
• Jr
• 6'3"
/ 220 lbs
Pickett's a New Jersey kid with loads of collegiate experience. He'll understand what it means to be the quarterback in New York City's media market. He can ball too, thanks to deceptive improvisation, above-average arm talent, and good accuracy.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 8
Ikem Ekwonu
OT
NC State
• Jr
• 6'4"
/ 320 lbs
The Eagles add some youth up front with Ekwonu. He can begin his career at guard and make the unorthodox shift out to tackle in the coming years. He's big, powerful, and surprisingly nimble.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 9
Nakobe Dean
LB
Georgia
• Jr
• 5'11"
/ 231 lbs
Neal is the rangy, coverage linebacker teams need today at the NFL level. And what the Eagles have needed
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 10
Nevada
• 6'4"
/ 215 lbs
Given Strong's experience and accuracy, Matt Rhule could gravitate toward him, and given the state of the Panthers quarterback situation, they may need to invest in the position again.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 11
Ohio State
• Jr
• 6'0"
/ 192 lbs
The restructure of Matt Ryan's contract during the offseason hinted at two more years of him as the Falcons starter, so Atlanta might as well add more weaponry to their offense.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 12
Texas A&M
• Jr
• 6'4"
/ 290 lbs
Leal's legitimate versatility will be the reason Mike Zimmer prioritizes him early in the draft. And the Vikings have to get younger up front.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 13
Matt Corral
QB
Ole Miss
• Soph
• 6'2"
/ 205 lbs
The Saints would be giddy if the board fell this way, and they could land Corral. The quarterback spot has to be addressed in New Orleans this offseason. And Corral has the quick release and big arm to revitalize Sean Payton's passing attack.
| |||
From
Indianapolis Colts
Round 1 - Pick 14
David Ojabo
LB
Michigan
• Jr
• 6'4"
/ 265 lbs
Ojabo has become one of the fastest draft risers of late thanks to stellar play opposite Hutchinson. His best football is in front of him.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 15
Chris Olave
WR
Ohio State
• Jr
• 6'0"
/ 187 lbs
I'm not totally sure who's going to be the quarterback in Cleveland next season. Whoever it is, he's going to need more talent at receiver, and Olave has an extremely high floor.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 16
Clemson
• Jr
• 6'0"
/ 194 lbs
Booth is a big play waiting to happen at cornerback. The Steelers have to add more youth to their defensive backfield. Good option here. The correct value.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 17
Jordan Davis
DL
Georgia
• Jr
• 6'6"
/ 336 lbs
A monster nose tackle who can get upfield a little would be a nice luxury in Vic Fangio's defense. Davis could go this high in April.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 18
Iowa
• Jr
• 6'2"
/ 305 lbs
The Raiders grab their replacement for Rodney Hudson in Linderbaum, everyone's favorite center prospect in this class.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 19
Alabama
• Jr
• 6'1"
/ 180 lbs
This is a pick for Washington showing its dedication to Taylor Heinicke. Williams is a smooth operator at all levels of the field and would formulate an awesome pairing with Terry McLaurin.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 20
Penn State
• Jr
• 6'3"
/ 256 lbs
The other Big Ten riser at the edge rusher spot has been Ebiketie, who finished the regular season with 9.5 sacks and 18 tackles for loss. The Chargers need a secondary outside rusher.
| |||
From
San Francisco 49ers
Round 1 - Pick 21
Mississippi State
• Jr
• 6'5"
/ 311 lbs
More reinforcement up front for Tua Tagovailoa. Cross is an effortless athlete at tackle who had a fantastic SEC season.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 22
Kenyon Green
OL
Texas A&M
• Jr
• 6'4"
/ 323 lbs
Buffalo has to address the interior of its offensive line, and Green is one of the better more consistent guards in this class. He plays with nasty blend of balance and power.
| |||
From
Los Angeles Rams
Round 1 - Pick 23
Malik Willis
QB
Liberty
• Jr
• 6'1"
/ 219 lbs
This is how I outlined the Lions' first round in my "perfect" draft last week. Willis is as high of an upside quarterback as there is in this class.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 24
Kaiir Elam
CB
Florida
• Jr
• 6'1"
/ 191 lbs
The Bengals have gotten quality return on their free-agent acquisitions in the secondary, and now they add youth to with the chippy Elam.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 25
Devin Lloyd
LB
Utah
• Jr
• 6'3"
/ 235 lbs
With Micah Parsons bound to play on the edge from now on, the Cowboys will have a need at off-ball linebacker in the offseason. Lloyd can be a three-down impact player in Dallas.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 26
Jahan Dotson
WR
Penn State
• Jr
• 5'11"
/ 182 lbs
Love this prospect-pairing. Dotson will be another speedster to take some of the downfield pressure off Tyreek Hill.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 27
Northern Iowa
• Jr
• 6'7"
/ 325 lbs
Penning will be a plug-and-play tackle in Tennessee. He has a nasty demeanor that will be loved by Mike Vrabel and Co.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 28
Hill can be a slot defender, safety, or outside corner in Tampa Bay's secondary. He's good when healthy but has been banged-up this season.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 29
Drake London
WR
USC
• Jr
• 6'4"
/ 213 lbs
London is a big-body wideout who can actually separate. He'll be a fun addition in New England.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 30
Arkansas
• Jr
• 6'2"
/ 225 lbs
Burks is a similar prospect to London, but is a little more physical and not as twitched up. But he plays as physical of a brand as football as you'll see at receiver.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 31
Florida State
• Jr
• 6'5"
/ 262 lbs
Johnson is a large defensive end prospect with crazy long arms and a relentless style the Ravens will adore.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 32
Logan Hall
DL
Houston
• Jr
• 6'6"
/ 283 lbs
Hall is the bigger defensive line prospect the Cardinals like up front. He's been an ascending player during his time in Houston.
|