By: Jake Rajala

The New York Giants offensive line unit was quite dreadful for the young quarterback Daniel Jones and the utterly explosive running back Saquon Barkley in 2021. Pro Football Focus graded the Giants OL as the 30th best OL at the end of last season. There wasn’t a single offensive lineman not named Andrew Thomas that garnered a grade above 62.3 on the Giants OL. With that said, the Giants ought to be given props for bulking up their OL this off-season with impressive profiles. The Giants brought in two veterans: Mark Glowinski and Jon Feliciano. Furthermore, they drafted Evan Neal in the first round and Joshua Ezeudu in the third round.

Glowinski can be a sound and reliable guard for the GMEN. He’s a quality run blocker, he only allowed two sacks last season, and he’s only missed one game over the past three seasons. He signed a three-year contract worth $18.3 million dollars.

The former Indianapolis Colt has had a positive impression of his rookie teammate that was selected seventh overall thus far. Glowinski has expressed that Neal has been a stud this off-season. Per GMEN HQ, Glowinksi stated, “As long as he gets his hands on guys, that’s the end of the story. So, just making sure that we put him in the right place, make sure that he is doing the right things. He has come along drastically every day, learning more and more.”

The Giants OL should flash greatness in 2022 and it’s also inspiring that many faces on the Giants OL are young. PFF recently ranked the Giants OL as the 18th best OL unit, so it’s clear the Giants OL should be a noticeably different animal from a season ago. The Giants exceptionally talented ball carrier should really benefit from the Giants new-look OL. Barkley has missed 18 games in the past two seasons combined and he also has been a shell of his once self on the field: 627 rushing yards and 2 rushing TDs in the past two seasons combined.

The post New York Giants offensive line outlook right now appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

By: Jake Rajala

The New York Giants have a new energy with Brian Daboll and a healthy Saquon Barkley in 2022. The Giants witnessed their ex-CB James Bradberry sign with Philly, but they nicely inked a new CB yesterday: Maurice Canaday. The Giants new CB started six games for the Dallas Cowboys last and he could be a contributor on the outside for NY.

Outside of NFC East CBs playing musical chairs, the Giants will really anticipate a star developing from their edge rusher spot in Kavyon Thibodeaux. The Giants rookie is projected to have an excellent rookie season by Pro Football Focus. In fact, there is only one rookie defender primed to be more productive than the former Oregon Duck: Aidan Hutchinson. Assuming Thibodeaux has a head full of steam after countless scouts criticized his lack of effort, he could even have a higher ceiling than Hutch in his first season.

The Giants will anticipate Kavyon becoming the next “Justin Tuck”, but the team still revolves around the explosion of Saquon Barkley. He can be their most productive player and it would be very difficult for NYG to be a potent team without an excellent Barkley.

It appears that Barkley is off to a good start at this moment. He looks fresh and healthy in OTAs, according to Giants Wire. I honestly don’t expect Barkley to follow Todd Gurley’s path by falling off a cliff, as the 25-year-old hasn’t suffered too many unfortunate injuries. Although, he will need his friend Evan Neal to help him in 2022. He was once considered a strong candidate to land first overall, but the Giants were fortunate to land him at seventh overall.

Shaun O’Hara stated the following on Giants.com about the Giants rookie tackle, “versatile, also very powerful”. He also expressed that Neal’s ability to change direction is impressive for his size.

It may seem like the new horses on Philadelphia and Washington overshadow the new talent on the Giants this off-season. Yet, the Giants could still be a secret challenger in the NFC with a healthy Barkley, a DROY-caliber player in Thibodeaux, and an improved Daniel Jones. The Eagles were a surprise team in 2021 and it may be time for the Giants beat the NFL world’s expectations in 2022.

The post New York Giants rumors right now appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

By: Andy Davies

The first round of the NFL Draft is complete, with trades galore and plenty of wide receivers taken. It is the first Draft since 2013 to have no quarterback selected in the first five picks and the first time since 1994 that the first four picks have all been defensive players.

The New York Giants had the fifth and seventh overall selections and they hit a home run on the deaf, taking Kayvon Thibodeaux and Evan Neal with those picks. Unless some trades take place, the Giants will have the 36th overall pick.

In the past 24 hours, news broke that the Giants were not exercising the fifth-year option on quarterback Daniel Jones. There was only one quarterback taken in the first round, with the Pittsburgh Steelers taking Kenny Pickett 20th overall. One quarterback who is in Vegas is Liberty QB, Malik Willis.

Here is why you should not rule out the Giants taking Willis.

The option to decline the fifth-year option is a big indication that the organization does not feel you are the answer moving forward. Willis was projected to go as high as second overall to the Detroit Lions in some mock drafts, with the other highly predicted destination was with the Carolina Panthers at number six. Instead, the Lions took edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson and the Panthers took Ikem Ekwonu with those picks.

The first three teams to select in the second round are the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Minnesota Vikings, and Tennessee Titans. None of these teams are desperate for a quarterback. Tampa Bay has Tom Brady, the Vikings have given Kirk Cousins an extension, and the Titans have Tannehill. People felt Jones was a reach as soon as he was taken sixth overall in 2019, causing various fan reactions to be placed on Youtube that could make a turkey at Christmas laugh.

He has not delivered, despite the nickname ”˜Danny Dimes’. Across his three seasons in the Big Apple, he has thrown for 8,398 yards as well as 45 touchdowns and 29 interceptions. He has never had a quarterback rating above 56 and 3,027 yards is the most he has thrown in an NFL season. His three seasons in the league go as follows: 24 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in 2019, 11 touchdowns and 10 interceptions in 2020 and 10 touchdowns and 7 interceptions in 2021.

With Tannehill not attending voluntary OTA’s, this has led to some believing he wants out but head coach Mike Vrabel also didn’t attend. However, he did throw costly interceptions in the Divisional Round that cost his Titans team a place in the AFC Championship game despite sacking Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow nine times.

The Titans and the Buccaneers could be teams that go for him with Brady not guaranteed to be there next season and Tannehill’s big game potential has been questioned all offseason. These teams have more addressing needs, which may mean they look at the likes of Desmond Ridder, Matt Corral, and Sam Howell with later picks. This would open up the door for the Giants to take Willis with the 36th overall pick. Whilst they also have more addressing needs, “a major need is the QB position” and they may feel he has too high a ceiling to pass on him for the third time.

The post Don’t rule out Malik Willis to the Giants appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

By Chris Moore, Jake Rajala, and Charlie Vakassian

The 2022 NFL draft holds many talented prospects and it is bound to be one of the most exciting parts of this NFL offseason. We feel like this NFL draft won’t bring the same results that the 2006 NFL draft or the 2013 draft displayed. The 2022 NFL draft will be special and it will start with the first overall pick.

There are a few potential first overall picks that are gifted football profiles and it’s safe to say the Jacksonville Jaguars, who hold the first overall pick, will be beyond thrilled with whoever they select. With that said, here is a breakdown of the top competitors to be potentially chosen first overall.

Aidan Hutchinson, DL, University of Michigan 

By: Jake Rajala

The University of Michigan defensive lineman, Aidan Hutchinson, went from having 3.5 career sacks in three seasons to unveiling 14 sacks in 2021. The 6’6 265 DL also had 36 combined tackles last season. We’ve seen many Michigan defensive stars like Chase Winovich and Josh Uche, but Hutchinson has been the most impressive U of M star over the past few years. Perhaps, Hutchinson can be as special as former Wolverine Charles Woodson in the NFL.

Hutchinson was so impressive as a defensive lineman in 2021 that he finished as the fourth defensive player ever to land in the top two of the Heisman voting. Unfortunately, Stanford QB Bryce Young was superb from the QB position, as he went on to win the 2021 Heisman. Young threw 47 touchdowns, 4,872 yards, and obtained an 87.6 passer rating last season. Young is the early favorite to be selected first overall in the 2023 NFL draft. 

Hutchinson isn’t only a very safe pick, but he has the potential to be a decade-like player. Mel Kiper compared Hutchinson to the Bosa brothers, which should make Jaguars fans wish for his name called. In particular, Nick Bosa was a Top 3 edge rusher in 2021, as he notched 15.5 sacks last season. I could see some similarities between Saints All-Pro DE Cameron Jordan and Hutchinson, too. They both possess unique power and a high motor against offensive tackles. The Jags were 27th in sacks last season, so it’s clearly a major issue for them. Hutchinson and Josh Allen (7.5 sacks in 2021) would be a fantastic pass-rushing duo for years to come. They have failed to replace edge rusher Yannick Ngakouye, who has been a stud with the Las Vegas Raiders.

Aidan Hutchinson is also PFF’s highest-ranked draft prospect in 2022. Kiper also projects Hutchinson to land first overall with the Jaguars. Hutchinson can be the face of the Jaguars defense for many years to come, while T-Lawrence is the face of the Jags offense for the next decade. We’ve seen how beneficial elite defensive players have been in the NFL. The future Hall of Fame Rams defender Aaron Donald was the key reason why the Rams won Super Bowl LVI and 2021 Defensive Player of The Year T.J. Watt was the leader for the Steelers in their surprise playoff berth. The Jags can ink an offensive lineman like Terron Armstead in free agency or select an OT in round two, while they select the supreme Hutchinson and strive to return to the days of “sacksonville”. The Jags may also bring back Left Tackle Cam Robinson via a franchise tag, so it would really make sense for the Jags to strike gold at the edge-rushing position.

Ikem Ekwonu, OT, North Carolina State

My top-ranked tackle in the 2022 draft, Ekwonu is an absolute mauler. He has immense versatility as well, with the ability to play guard or tackle. He does his best work in the run game, where he absolutely demolishes blockers going up to the second level. His pass protection is less refined, but he has room for improvement, a scary thought for a player who is already proficient in most areas. 

A giant of a man at 6’4 and 320lbs, Ekwonu’s strength lies in the point of attack. His size and strength allow him to push defenders back, and he has incredible football intelligence, with the ability to pick up any twists or stunts. Ekwonu plays with unmatched aggression, pancake blocking every chance he gets, establishing his dominance as the best lineman on the field. NC State ran a lot of zone-heavy concepts, playing to the strengths of Ekwonu, Doug Pederson, the Jaguars new head coach, also likes to run zone schemes, along with some gap concepts mixed in. Ekwonu would thrive in this type of system. 

No prospect is perfect, and Ekwonu does have some concerns which will need to be ironed out at the professional level. He did face trouble with inside pass rush moves over the course of this past season and tended to break out of his stance. He will also need to work on holding his sets longer, as he occasionally would break down too soon, allowing defenders to penetrate the line. There will be some other kinks that NFL coaches will want to work out, but all in all, Ekwonu is one of the more complete prospects, with few flaws in what has been an impressive college career. 

As implied earlier, the Jacksonville Jaguars have the first overall pick in this year’s draft. The chances of trading back from that spot are slim since there are no difference maker quarterbacks to move up for. Since Jacksonville will stay at one, they have to analyze what makes the most sense. They already have multiple edge rushers, with first-round picks invested in Josh Allen and K’lavon Chaisson. So drafting Kayvon Thibodeaux or Aidan Hutchinson may not make the most sense. While they would most certainly improve the Jaguars defense, the offensive side of the ball is where help is needed. 

Trevor Lawrence could not stay on his feet at all last season, with a subpar offensive line in front of him. The Jaguars line ranked 24th overall, according to PFF, and the most reliable lineman in Cam Robinson is headed to free agency. An overhaul is needed. While I expect free agent money to go into the line, the draft will be a necessary avenue to beef up the line. And who better than Ekwonu? If Robinson is retained, he can play at the right tackle, with less pressure on him. He has the most upside, will immediately be a mauler in the run game, and can do enough in the passing game to start out, while the coaches work on refining his skills. Ekwonu can also slide over to guard as necessary, where his skillset projects just as well. He will be an excellent starter on day one, and by the end of his rookie contract will have earned at least one, if not multiple Pro Bowl selections.

Evan Neal, OT, Alabama

While you can make the case that the Jaguars should be drafting the best player in the draft class in Aidan Hutchinson, it makes sense for them to pass on a premier pass rusher to support their franchise quarterback. The Jaguars should focus on getting Trevor Lawrence more help this offseason, and selecting one of the best offensive linemen in the draft should help.

Neal is not a flawless prospect, but he for sure has the tools to excel at the tackle position in the NFL and carries the most upside out of all the offensive linemen in this draft class. I expect Neal to be the leading candidate for the first-round selection after his performance at the combine. We should see Neal’s athleticism shine during the combine and see him show the league why he deserves to be the pick. While Neal’s athleticism is off the charts, he also provides a lot of utility, as he can play multiple positions on the offensive line. Neal started his career at Alabama playing left guard. He played right tackle in 2020 and finished his career at Alabama playing left tackle. He’s shown he can play at all three positions, and it’s a nice benefit to have when drafting linemen.

While I believe Aidan Hutchinson is the best prospect in this year’s draft class, the Jaguars need to prioritize protecting their franchise quarterback. After the year Trevor Lawrence just had, I don’t see the Jaguars taking the Bengals approach of ignoring their offensive line. The Jaguars should be committed to a complete overhaul of the offensive side of the ball this offseason. Adding the best offensive linemen prospect in the class would be a step in the right direction for the organization. I also don’t see the Jaguars investing more draft capital into an edge rusher.

The Jaguars used a premier draft pick in 2019 on Josh Allen and another first-round selection in 2020 on K’Lavon Chaisson. The Jaguars selected Chaisson in the hope he would become a dominant edge rusher to pair with their star Josh Allen. Now I know Chaisson has been disappointing so far and hasn’t lived up to the play many expected from him. That’s a ton of draft capital over the past three seasons into the pass rush to use another first-round pick on an edge rusher. Not to mention the first pick in the entire NFL Draft.

I expect Neal to be the leading candidate for the first-round selection after his performance at the combine. We should see Neal’s athleticism shine during the combine and see him show the league why he deserves to be the pick. The Jaguars recently hired Doug Pederson to be their next head coach, and his top priority should be getting his franchise quarterback more support. Pederson should be making sure Lawrence has the tools around him to succeed. Something Urban Meyer and the Jaguars failed to do last season. The Jaguars cannot afford to remain a dysfunctional organization. Supporting Trevor Lawrence needs to be the priority this season.

The post Top 3 candidates for No. 1 overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

By: Tom Rodriguez

The NFL season is coming to a close and most franchises will begin looking towards the players that they need to lead their franchise to future prominence. The 2022 NFL draft is unlike one we have seen in quite some time. It has gotten much less talk than in past classes. The main reason for that is the quarterbacks. They’re bad. We have been spoiled by talented passers for years and now it’s time for a much less “sexy” draft. This is an overwhelming “eat your vegetables” draft. Many of the better players play in the trenches, which is where many teams believe you should start building your roster from. On the outside, there are a nice crop of defensive backs and wide receivers as well. It may be weak at quarterback and running back, but the 2022 class featured plenty of elite prospects. With that being said, the top five of this draft is sure to be exciting. Here’s a quick mock of the top five!

Disclaimer

This order is the current NFL draft order (before the final week of the regular season has been played). Also, this mock draft is predictive, not what I would do.

Jacksonville Jaguars: Aidan Hutchinson, EDGE, Michigan

As stated previously, this mock is predictive, not opinionated. Aidan Hutchinson would not be my “EDGE1” as of right now (Hell, he may not even be my EDGE2 right now). However, the NFL seems to be big fans of the Wolverines’ pass rusher. With fourteen sacks and two forced fumbles in 2021, Hutchinson was one of the most dominant players in the country. Jacksonville already has Josh Allen coming off the edge, but have yet to find him a true partner. With a big swing and a miss on 2020 first round pick K’Lavon Chaisson so far.

Detroit Lions: Kayvon Thibodeaux, EDGE, Oregon

Billed as the consensus best player in the class back in the Summer, Oregon pass rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux did not have the dominant season that many expected him to. Most of that was because of an early season injury that caused him to miss some time. With the best traits of the entire EDGE class, he’s the perfect pick for a rebuilding team that is looking to add some high level talent on defense. Detroit showed some signs of life this season, and Thibodeaux turning into the player we all expect him to be would go a long way in expediting their timeline.

Houston Texans: Evan Neal, OT, Alabama

The wisest thing for the Houston Texans to do with Alabama offensive tackle Evan Neal is to do what was done to Laremy Tunsil as a rookie. Who better to help Neal come along than Tunsil himself. With the Miami Dolphins in 2016, Tunsil played guard while Miami was waiting for Brandon Albert’s contract to finish. In 2017, Tunsil was then moved back to his natural position of left tackle. Neal has guard experience and can form a formidable left side in 2022 with Tunsil. The Texans may be heading into full rebuild mode and move off of some veterans soon. Deshaun Watson will be traded soon for a cavalcade of draft picks. The high priced Tunsil may be on the move after that. Neal, a towering mauler at left tackle brings more natural strength to this franchise than they currently have. A little raw in pass protection, Neal is not a perfect prospect. However, he has the traits and position versatility to warrant a top three selection.

New York Jets: Derek Stingley, CB, LSU

It’s high time to address the cornerback room in the Big Apple. The Jets corner room is about as uninspiring as any in the league. There are some encouraging youngsters in Bryce Hall and Brandon Echols. However, the AFC East currently runs through Buffalo and that means two things: 1. You have to deal with Stefon Diggs and 2. You have to deal with as many four and five wide receiver sets as anyone else. Derek Stingley, a high caliber athlete and potential lockdown corner is the best option to deal with those realities. Stingley burst onto the scene in the Tigers undefeated 2019 season with six interceptions as a true freshman. However, injuries and game cancellations limited him to just ten starts in the last two years. Stingley has been on the NFL radar for some time and should expect to be picked rather high.

New York Giants: Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame

Pick good football players. Many people will have Notre Dame safety Kyle Hamilton as their top rated player in the class. That billing would be entirely justified. Hamilton does it all and that isn’t hyperbole. Coverage, run fits, tackling, athleticism; there’s nothing he can’t do. Now, would current Giants general manager Dave Gettleman make this pick? Unlikely. However, the Giants are likely to have a new man in charge very soon! If that’s the case, you would hope it is someone young whose football mind is adapting with the times, or in simpler terms, the antithesis of Gettleman. How likely is that hire to be made? From the owner who is in heavy support of the new taunting rule, it also feels unlikely. We can always dream.

The post NFL Mock Draft: Top 5 selections appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

By: Jacob Keppen

1. Jacksonville Jaguars: Evan Neal, OT Alabama

The Jacksonville Jaguars are a mess. They look like a team lost without direction, and without a leader. There is only one position you can count on heading into next year, and that’s rookie quarterback Trevor Lawrence. Lawrence has had an up and down rookie year, but has definitely shown great flashes for the future. Evan Neal has the makings of a franchise left tackle who will keep Lawrence safe, and really bolster the Jags run game. Neal is massive at 6’7 350 and moves like a man half his size.

2. Detroit Lions: Kayvon Thibodeaux, EDGE Oregon

For as bad as the Lions record is through five games — which is currently winless under new coach Dan Campbell, the record is a tad bit deceiving. Unlike the Jags and Dolphins who have been completely outmatched in most contests this year, the Lions have been able to keep most games generally close. Three of the Lions games this year have come within a possession, including their latest against the Vikings where it looked like they would win. Kayvon Thibodeaux is the best player in the class and can hopefully help the Lions turn competitive contests into actual wins. Thibodeaux is an elite defensive end prospect who can possibly transform a defense. The Lions hold out from picking a QB and grab a decade talent with Kavyon.

3. Philadelphia Eagles (via Miami): Kyle Hamilton, S Notre Dame

What a surprise! The Eagles are picking in the top three”¦ but it’s not with their own pick! With their Miami pick they acquired via trade during this past offseason, the Eagles decide to get a true playmaker on defense. As a whole, the Eagles lack talent outside of the defensive line. Kyle Hamilton has game changing ability at safety, and will give coordinator Jonathan Gannon a true playmaker in the secondary.

4. New York Jets: Derek Stingley, CB LSU

The biggest need on the Jets has to be at cornerback. The options for New York in the secondary are; 6th round pick Brandin Echols, second year player Bryce Hall, and 5th round rookie Michael Carter. There have been flashes, but ultimately not enough to pass up on Stingley. Draft fans have been waiting for Stingley to be draft eligible since his freshman year. Stingley has the build of a lockdown corner in the NFL.

5. Houston Texans: Demarvin Leal, DL Texas A&M

The Houston Texans pretty much need help everywhere. Quarterback is an intriguing option, but the Texans did just take Davis Mills in the third round last year, and this quarterback class doesn’t look great early on. Demarvin Leal has been dominant the past two years, providing great versatility as a guy who can truly line up anywhere on the defensive line. The Texans need talent wherever they can get it, and Leal can be a potential big part of the next era of Texans football.

6. New York Giants: Aidan Hutchinson, EDGE Michigan

Azeez Ojulari has been a hit so far for the Giants in his rookie year. The second round pick out of Georgia is already showing the pass rushing ability that made so many excited about him during the offseason. The giants defensive line is trending in the right direction with Ojulari and Leonard Williams, and Aidan Hutchinson can be the star edge rusher they’ve been looking to add to the mix. Hutchinson has been on a tear so far this season, living in the backfield with six tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks through six games. The tape has been phenomenal, Hutchinson looking like one of the best players in football this season.

7. Philadelphia Eagles (via Indianapolis): Andrew Booth, CB Clemson

Philadelphia’s second selection this year, and it again isn’t their own. While the Colts may not play Wentz the required 75% of snaps for the pick to convert from a second rounder if they’re looking at a bottom ten finish, in this scenario the Eagles take advantage. The Eagles need help on defense, especially at cornerback (we’ve been saying this for nearly a decade now.) Andrew Booth has all the athleticism and man coverage ability that you look for in a potential standout corner. He can learn a ton from Slay and eventually be Philly’s lockdown corner.

8. Atlanta Falcons: Malik Willis, QB Liberty

Atlanta needs a quarterback for the future. They needed a quarterback for the future last year, but opted for Florida tight end Kyle Pitts instead. This year, even if the class is a bit of a step back from last year, the Falcons cannot afford to do so again. Matt Ryan is 36. Malik Willis has possibly the highest ceiling in the 2022 quarterback class, but is definitely a bit more raw of a prospect than you’d hope for. He has phenomenal athleticism and arm strength, and hopefully can learn a lot sitting behind an extremely experienced and successful quarterback in Ryan.

9. New England Patriots: Kaiir Elam, CB Florida

There is such a temptation for New England to take a wide receiver here. They have a good line and just need to get Mac Jones some weapons. With the amount of money they dealt out to receiving options over the offseason, and the recent trading of Stephon Gilmore I’d be surprised to see them go wide receiver over a secondary option. Kaiir Elam is a big aggressive corner who can be another star corner in New England.

10. Philadelphia Eagles: Tyler Linderbaum, IOL Iowa.

The final of the three top 10 picks owned by the Eagles is their own. After addressing the dire needs in the secondary, the Eagles opt for one of the best overall players in the draft in Iowa center Tyler Linderbaum. Though the Eagles drafted Landon Dickerson in the second round last year, Dickerson easily could just stay at guard and be Brandon Brooks’ future replacement. Linderbaum is nearly a Jason Kelce clone and has all-pro potential. Philly builds through their lines and they do so again with a terrific center in Linderbaum.

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