Paul Schwartz, reporter for The Post, gives his predictions about who The Giants will take the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft.
No. 5: Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
Will it still be on the board? Here’s a hunch that Ickey Ekwonu is the first offensive tackle chosen and Neil is sitting there for the Giants. What a prize. Neal had the “right tackle start” plastered all over his massive 6-foot-7, 337-pound frame.
He has never missed a college game due to injury in his three years playing at the highest level and he should be an instant force as a running hurdle. You should overcome some balance issues and become more aggressive, though. A classic building block to pair with 23-year-old Andrew Thomas.
No. 7: Derek Stingley Jr., CB, LSU
Figure number Gardner’s sauce off the board – very likely for the Jets in fourth – and the edging dash available doesn’t captivate the Giants. They go with a great-sized absolute stud, ability and ball-hawk instincts. He showed in his professional day that he made a full recovery from his foot surgery in Lisfranc.
With James Bradbury expected to trade off the salary cap, Stingley will allow new defensive coordinator Wink Martindale to operate as aggressively as he desires.