Perfect Picks 2023: New York Giants
With the NFL Draft approaching we will be looking at each team and evaluating where they need to improve. In this particular series we will run a seven round mock using the Pro Football Network Mock Draft Simulator and find the ‘Perfect Picks’ for each franchise.
We will highlight four players that could help each team. This will feature picks 1 and 2, a mid round gem and a late round sleeper.
Round 1 - Jalin Hyatt (Wide Receiver, Tennesee)
The Giants could be paying Daniel Jones north of $35m per year if they come to an agreement this offseason. If they do back Jones moving forward, then they have to provide him with sufficient weaponry. If you have a QB outside of the top tier, then the supporting cast has to elevate the floor of your signal caller.
Jalin Hyatt would give the Giants’ offense a different dimension. They were lucky enough to discover a big-bodied possession receiver in Isaiah Hodgins, who exceeded expectations in 2022. Wan’Dale Robinson provides the juice from the slot, while Hyatt can be a legitimate outside deep threat. His speed and ability to separate should give Jones some wide-open shots to hit.
Round 2 - Owen Pappoe (Linebacker, Auburn)
With three of their top four linebackers set to hit free agency, linebacker should be a major consideration with the Giant’s early picks. Jarrad Davis and Jaylon Smith were trying to rekindle the early promise they showed when entering the league, but neither should anchor the position going forward. It’s easy to imagine that Brian Daboll and co. will look to get more athletic at the spot.
Pappoe is athleticism personified. Bruce Feldman included him on this year’s Freak List, mainly due to him bench pressing 435lbs and running a 4.32 40-yard dash. Pappoe bounced back from an ankle injury in 2021 to lead Auburn’s defense. He is a true sideline-to-sideline defender and showed his ability in coverage with a PFF grade of 77.2 last season. He would be the every down presence the Giants crave at the second level.
Mid Round Gem - Ricky Stromberg (iOL, Arkansas)
The offensive line in New York benefitted from a jump in performance from left tackle Andrew Thomas and they will hope for something similar from right tackle Evan Neal. It was an up-and-down season for the first rounder but it’s safe to say the exterior of the line will be given time to improve. On the interior, Nick Gates and Jon Feliciano could depart, leaving a hole at center, and interior depth in general.
Arkansas’ Ricky Stromberg has experience at both center and guard, although his best performances have come anchoring the Razorback’s o-line from the middle. At 6’4, 318lbs, he certainly has the requisite size to set the tone in the trenches. He is a physical force who didn’t concede a sack or QB hit in the 2022 season.
Late Round Sleeper - Bumper Pool (Linebacker, Arkansas)
This is a true double-down pick for the Giants. Not only do they return to the Arkansas well, but they select their second linebacker of the draft. There are multiple positions where the Giants need a starter and a backup. They could reasonably take two receivers, cornerbacks or, in this case, linebackers.
Bumper Pool is the typical late-round linebacker. More of a thumper than Owen Pappoe, who we took for the Giants in round 2, he could eventually dovetail nicely with the Auburn man. Indeed, Pool meshed nicely with Drew Sanders at Arkansas. Sanders, the more athletically gifted, Pool, more physically suited to a traditional middle linebacker role. Pool’s tenacity and smarts likely earn him a late-round pick. He would offer depth, special teams value and early-down starter at times.
Draft In Full:
Round 1 – Jalin Hyatt (WR, Tennessee)
Round 2 – Owen Pappoe (LB, Auburn)
Round 3 – DJ Turner (CB, Michigan)
Round 3 – Ricky Stromberg (iOL, Arkansas)
Round 4 – Kenny McIntosh (RB, Georgia)
Round 5 – DeMarcco Hellams (S, Alabama)
Round 6 – Brock Martin (Edge, Oklahoma State)
Round 6 – Davis Allen (TE, Clemson)
Round 7 – Justin Shorter (WR, Florida)
Round 7 – Bumper Pool (LB, Arkansas)
Round 7 – DJ Dale (DT, Alabama)
