My mock draft after day 1

[Jclayton92]

Why are you guys not more concerned about OL?  We have no quality depth, need a starting RG and frankly are subpar at center and can use an upgrade at ORT.

I'm not as worried because I've heard the Giants met with Hernadez, Dalton Risner, and Nick Harris this offseason but were waiting until after the draft.

[Ed Vette]

I'm not as worried because I've heard the Giants met with Hernadez, Dalton Risner, and Nick Harris this offseason but were waiting until after the draft.

I'd take Hernandez back.

[Jolly Blue Giant]

Phil: OL has been a problem so long that I've grown weary talking about it. It's one of the reasons I would not have traded up into the first round for a QB. We lost two really good picks (34 and 99) one of which could have been used on OL. But Rich is right about best player available. When 65 rolls around, we'll be lucky if Tate Ratledge is still there. I wouldn't mind trading up from 65 to get him but it will cost us a pick from next year, and we already gave up next year's third-rounder as part of the Dart trade. Bob

I don't look at it as though we lost pick 34. We basically exchanged pick 34 for pick 25 (much more valuable than 34). And if we got our future QB, then it was a steal for what we had to give up. However, we did lose one this year - pick 99. Luckily, we still have pick 105, so we won't have to wait several hours to be back on the clock...which takes some of the sting out of losing 99. Then again, I was shocked in the first place to hear we even got an extra pick at the end of the 3rd as compensation. That was like manna from heaven

[Bob In PA]

I don't look at it as though we lost pick 34. We basically exchanged pick 34 for pick 25 (much more valuable than 34). And if we got our future QB, then it was a steal for what we had to give up. However, we did lose one this year - pick 99. Luckily, we still have pick 105, so we won't have to wait several hours to be back on the clock...which takes some of the sting out of losing 99. Then again, I was shocked in the first place to hear we even got an extra pick at the end of the 3rd as compensation. That was like manna from heaven

Jolly: I don't know about anyone else, but MY reason for not wanted to trade up for a QB was because I knew the guy we were going to take is highly unlikely to play this year, and almost completely unlikely to start a game. In other words, the additional cost of the trade is that we have to wait a year to get anything out of him. By contrast, getting a non-QB player at a position of need (particularly DT and OL) would have paid dividends NOW. Bob

[Philosophers]

I think a bad OL brings down the entire offense.  No other position group has that effect except QB.  It needs more fixing IMHO.

[Bob In PA]

I think a bad OL brings down the entire offense.  No other position group has that effect except QB.  It needs more fixing IMHO.

Phil: One of the less obvious "good things" about Dart watching from the sidelines for a season (there aren't many!) is that it gives us more time to obtain OL players who aren't going to get him killed. I comfort myself with that thought (for now). OL is everything. You saw how even the best QB in the game struggled last year (and lost games) because KC didn't successfully "fix" their OL. And they still haven't. Bob

[Jolly Blue Giant]

My mock, now that we're on to day two



I really like Jackson Slater, an inside lineman who is one of (if not) thee best lineman playing zone (poor man's Zach Martin - the zone king) and one of the top pass protectors in the draft. Not so much in run support, but nobody gets by him to the QB



Scouting Report: Summary (from NFLDraftBuzz)

The tape doesn't lie - Slater has NFL starter written all over him, particularly in a zone-based system where his athleticism and spatial awareness shine brightest. His masterful jump sets and natural leverage consistently pop on film, compensating for less-than-ideal length with veteran-level technique. That San Jose State game was a revelation, watching him slide seamlessly to center for a handful of snaps and handle the increased mental load without missing a beat.

The November knee injury is a legitimate concern, but don't let it overshadow three years of rock-solid durability and steadily improving play. Teams running outside zone concepts will fall in love with his ability to reach the track star defensive tackles in this class - I counted at least six highlight-reel blocks against Portland State where he locked up and drove defenders well past the numbers. His anchor needs work against pure power, but show me a Day 3 interior prospect who doesn't need technical refinement.

Mark my words - some zone-heavy team is going to steal this kid in the mid rounds and look like geniuses by midseason. The combination of pass protection polish, positional versatility, and untapped athletic upside is exactly what smart offensive line coaches dream about. Give him a year to fully recover and master an NFL system, and you're looking at a 10-year starter who can play any interior spot at a winning level.

[KevinSays]

Why are you guys not more concerned about OL?  We have no quality depth, need a starting RG and frankly are subpar at center and can use an upgrade at ORT.

We don't have any quality OL locked up beyond this year outside if Thomas, which is quite concerning.  Unfortunately, I doubt value is going to meet need with our remaining picks.  More likely that DL/RB/TE will be the BPA.

Gotta hope we re-up Eleumenor & JMS becomes at least average.  Then I would expect 1 big FA signing & 1 premium draft pick next year will have to be allocated to the OL.

[Bob In PA]

We don't have any quality OL locked up beyond this year outside if Thomas, which is quite concerning.  Unfortunately, I doubt value is going to meet need with our remaining picks.  More likely that DL/RB/TE will be the BPA.

Gotta hope we re-up Eleumenor & JMS becomes at least average.  Then I would expect 1 big FA signing & 1 premium draft pick next year will have to be allocated to the OL.

Kevin: Good summary of all topics covered. Not hitting on Evan Neal really set us back. Bob

[MightyGiants]

I think this short video does an excellent job of shutting down the baseless conspiracy theories


https://x.com/TomPelissero/status/1915777732375462254

[KevinSays]

Kevin: Good summary of all topics covered. Not hitting on Evan Neal really set us back. Bob

Thank you, Bob! I really like the GVR re-signing, but he's just a Band Aid for this year. I am surprised we didn't pick up Andre James (cheap & only 27 years old), who played well at center under Bricillo.

It's borderline criminal that we are heading into Year 4 & we never got to see Neal or Ezeudu play guard.

Really hoping for some good health along the OL this season.  Would be a nice change of pace to not have to constantly try to operate an offense while simultaneously having poor o-line play.

[President Rick]

Rich...Alexander at #65.  you are nailing this thing.  Well done my friend.   Go Giants!!

[Bob In PA]

Looks like the guy from Toledo wasn't gone after all. lol  You just never know!

He's not the perfect guy to play next to Dexter, but he's a great guy to sub in for Dex when he needs a rest.

Projects as a three technique, and (more importantly) a very good one, IMO.

Bob

[MightyGiants]

Looks like the guy from Toledo wasn't gone after all. lol  You just never know!

He's not the perfect guy to play next to Dexter, but he's a great guy to sub in for Dex when he needs a rest.

Projects as a three technique, and (more importantly) a very good one, IMO.

Bob

1 down, 4 to go 

[Philosophers]

Looks like the guy from Toledo wasn't gone after all. lol  You just never know!

He's not the perfect guy to play next to Dexter, but he's a great guy to sub in for Dex when he needs a rest.

Projects as a three technique, and (more importantly) a very good one, IMO.

Bob

Bob - we got us an aggressive gap attacking DT next to the best Edge in Carter.  Shane Bowen may take a pay cut to be DC here.