New York is testing out Azeez Ojulari and Quincy Roche this season but there are still concerns about the pass rush moving forward. Aidan Hutchinson would alleviate those concerns.
If Dave Gettleman is still around, he is almost certain to draft an interior offensive lineman in the first round. He is committed to Daniel Jones working and the offensive line has been part of his downfall.
In terms of generating quarterback pressure (hurries + knockdowns + sacks per drop back), the Giants have the worst percentage in the NFL (16.9 percent). Monday night's game versus Tampa Bay exemplifies New York's feeble efforts at applying significant pressure on a 44 year old Tom Brady. Brady completed 32 passes on 48 attempts for 318 yards and two scores, while being sacked just once the entire evening. Drafting Hutchinson could give the Giants a legitimate pass rusher, who is equally adept against the run, setting the edge at the point of attack to contain running plays along the perimeter.
The Giants have several talented skill players on offense, especially the 2018 number two overall pick, running back Saquon Barkley. Yet, despite Barkley's athletic versatility and explosiveness the Giants average less than 100 yards a contest (92.9) and managed just seven rushing touchdowns throughout ten games. The offensive line needs to raise its level of production for the Giants to actually improve and become significant in their division. If they chose Green, an imposing and extremely powerful player (6-4, 325 lbs) who typically devastates defenders, New York could begin to dominate at the line of scrimmage and beyond.
Big Blue lacks a playmaker in the passing game to keep teams from stacking the box against Saquon Barkley. Wilson, the Buckeyes' big-time playmaker, will help. Witness his effort against Purdue, where he caught three TD passes and took a Jet sweep 51 yards for another score.
7. Tyler Linderbaum, IOL, Iowa
This is a move designed to lengthen the career of Barkley from within. Linderbaum compares favorably to Jason Kelce, which definitely shows up on film. He has the athleticism and strength to anchor the Giants' line for years to come.
Derek Stingley Jr. has been ranked as the No.1 corner since his all-time great freshman campaign during LSU's National Championship run in 2019 and has nothing to hurt that ranking. His combination of athleticism, instincts, physicality, and ball skills make him a generational talent at corner. The New York Giants can use a true lockdown corner in their secondary and Stingley will provide just that.
The Giants use their second first-round pick on the most instinctual linebacker in this year's draft. Nakobe Dean is an athletic, quick linebacker that excels at playing in space. Dean has been the leader of Georgia's defense and will bring that leadership to the Giants' defense.
Ekwonu is one of the nastiest run-blockers PFF College has ever seen. He owns a 93.4 run-blocking grade for the 2021 season -- the highest in the FBS. Ekwonu has laid down a whopping 16 big-time blocks this season. Not only does that lead every offensive lineman in 2021, but it is also the most in a single season during the entire PFF College era. He's been that kind of a monster in the run game in all three of his years at NC State, but he's starting to pass protect better as well. After posting a poor 55.3 pass-block grade in 2020, Ekwonu has improved that to a solid 77.9 mark in 2021.
Dean is on the smaller end of the linebacker spectrum, but he is a freak athlete who fits the bill of a modern-day linebacker. He is undoubtedly the best off-ball linebacker in the country when it comes to defending the pass. His blitzing prowess and coverage ability are second to none, as Dean has recorded a 90.0-plus grade as a pass-rusher and in coverage this season -- something no Power Five off-ball linebacker has accomplished in the PFF College era.
Left tackle Andrew Thomas, the No. 4 overall pick in 2020, has shown signs of improvement during his second season -- though he's now on injured reserve with a foot injury, and his replacement, Matt Peart, remains inconsistent. The 6-foot-4, 320-pound Ekwonu has been stellar at left tackle this season, but opinions vary on the position he'll play at the next level. He could be a top-tier starter at right tackle or guard.
7. George Karlaftis, EDGE, Purdue
The Giants have gotten 5.5 sacks from rookie second-round pick Azeez Ojulari, but they need to stockpile young edge rushers to improve their defense. Karlaftis is a versatile and heavy-handed defensive lineman who could contribute early in the NFL. Karlaftis has only 2.5 sacks this season, but he is always around the quarterback. With two top-seven picks, this means the Giants get starters along the offensive and defensive lines.