The New York Giants will pick fifth and seventh in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft. The boys in blue are primed for a great draft! It's time to continue our NFL odds series with a Giants prediction and pick.
The Giants are in need of a huge draft. They have an opportunity to compete in a division that doesn't have a team guaranteed to win it. The Dallas Cowboys won the division last season and the Philadelphia Eagles snuck into the playoffs as the 7th seed. The Giants know that if they can win divisional games and improve from last season that they can make the playoffs in the weaker NFC conference.
New York needs to improve on both sides of the ball. If they can draft a top-tier lineman as well as a solid defensive player, the Giants could see some better play from the offense and defense. That is likely what will happen, as Mel Kiper Jr. said so in his final mock draft. He has the Giants selecting OT Charles Cross from Mississippi State with the 5th pick, and then DE Jermaine Johnson II from Florida State with the 7th selection.
There could be changes in the top ten with trades and surprises. Let's get right to the odds and prediction.
Here are the 2022 NFL Draft odds, courtesy of FanDuel.
2022 NFL Draft Odds: Giants Odds
Charles Cross (5) & Derek Stingley Jr. (7): +490
Charles Cross (5) & Ahmad Gardner (7): +490
Charles Cross (5) & Jermaine Johnson II (7): +750
Ikem Ekwonu (5) & Ahmad Gardner (7): +850
Ikem Ekwonu (5) & Derek Stingley Jr. (7): +850
Ikem Ekwonu (5) & Jermaine Johnson II (7): +1300
Ahmad Gardner (5) & Charles Cross (7): +700
Ahmad Gardner (5) & Evan Neal (7): +950
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Who The Giants Could Select With The 5th Pick
Charles Cross seems to be the likely option as the Giants are in need of revamping their offensive line. Of course, Cross could be taken at No. 3 to the Houston Texans, but they seem to be set on Ikem Ekwonu. This is a tricky pick because there are three elite tackles that could potentially go in any order.
With all that said, Cross going to the Giants has the best odds. I would consider taking any of the odds that land him in a Giants uniform, whether that is at five or seven. Like Kiper Jr. said, he is the best pure pass-protector in the draft. The Giants would be dumb to pass on him when Daniel Jones is threatened on almost every play.
If the Texans decide they want Cross, the Ekwonu would likely be the pick for the Giants over Evan Neal, hence the lack of odds for him at five. The Giants can then focus on defense with their second pick.
Who The Giants Could Select With The 7th Pick
This is a tough spot because it's just two picks later. They will likely have a chance at most of the top defenders in this draft. Travon Walker, Aidan Hutchenson, and Ahmad Gardner will all likely be taken. Derek Stingley Jr., Kayvon Thibodeaux, and Jermaine Johnson II should all be there at seven. It's just a matter of who is the bigger need.
The Giants desperately need an edge rusher. Thibodeaux seems to be the better prospect but Johnson II is a better fit for Don Martindale's scheme. Johnson ended 2021 with 12 sacks for the Seminoles and would be a major benefit to the Giants' defensive line.
If they don't go the defensive end route, then Stingley Jr. could be an option. But the Giants already contain James Bradberry and Adoree' Jackson at that spot.
Giants Prediction & Pick
This seems to be a simple decision as Cross will likely be there at five for the Giants. They could decide on a different defender but my gut is telling me they will take Johnson II.
Giants Prediction & Pick: Charles Cross (5) & Jermaine Johnson II (7): +750
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