New York Giants 2022 NFL Draft Grades: Day One Dominance
By Hunter Haas
2022 NFL Draft Grades
1:05 – Kayvon Thibodeaux, EDGE, Oregon (A+)
1:07 – Evan Neal, OT, Alabama (A+)
2:43 – Wan’Dale Robinson, WR, Kentucky (C-)
3:67 – Joshua Ezeudu, OL, UNC (B)
3:81 – Cordale Flott, CB, LSU (B)
4:112 – Daniel Bellinger, TE, San Diego St. (A)
4:114 – Dane Belton, S, Iowa (B)
5:146 – Micah McFadden, LB, Indiana (B+)
5:147 – DJ Davidson, DL, Arizona State (B-)
5:173 – Marcus McKethan, OL, UNC (C+)
6:182 – Darian Beavers, LB, Cincinnati (A)
Favorite Pick: Kayvon Thibodeaux/Evan Neal
I refuse to pick between them so I am including both of the New York Giants first-round picks. Evan Neal is as advanced as any offensive lineman that has entered the league the past half-decade. He played all over the line at Alabama, but looked most comfortable at right tackle. Considering that the Giants moved Andrew Thomas to left tackle last season, and he performed very well, Neal should slide into the right tackle spot and form a fearsome bookend of tackles for the foreseeable future.
Kayvon Thibodeaux was my highest rated pass rusher in the 2022 NFL Draft. Azeez Ojulari, a second-round pick in 2021, recorded eight sacks as a rookie. Leonard Williams has also chipped in 18 sacks over the course of his two full seasons with the Giants. So why Thibodeaux? The answer is two-fold. First and foremost, you can never have too many pass rushers. Secondly, new defensive coordinator Wink Martindale uses a scheme that requires constant pressure on the quarterback. Thibodeaux has legitimate All-Pro potential, and is a threat to reach double-digit sacks as a rookie. He’s a strong contender for Rookie of the Year honors.
Least Favorite Pick: Wan’Dale Robinson
Let me preface this by saying, I really do like the player. When I look at the roster, though, the pick raises questions. While there have been rumblings of a Kadarius Toney trade, nothing has come to fruition yet. Currently, the depth chart consists of Kenny Golladay, Sterling Shepard, Kadarius Toney, and Darius Slayton. Even if Toney is traded, they used the No. 43 overall selection on a guy who might be WR3 at best? If given the opportunity, Robinson has the YAC ability and explosiveness that teams covet. My concern is, are there enough snaps available in the offense for a gadget player? We’ll see.
Late Round Sleeper: Daniel Bellinger
Daniel Bellinger is a guy that I have had a draft crush on throughout the process. He is built like a prototypical tight end, but will be one of the best athletes at the position immediately in the NFL. Bellinger didn’t get a chance to flex much of his receiving prowess in college, as he was routinely asked to block instead.
Few can blame the coaching staff though, because Bellinger was one of the better blockers in the country. At the NFL Draft Scouting Combine, teams finally began to see his potential as a pass catcher. Following a phenomenal workout, Bellinger firmly placed himself in the discussion as a top-five tight end in this class. The New York Giants were able to scoop him up early on day three, and I expect him to assume the Dawson Knox role that is integral to Brian Daboll’s offensive system.