Giants Favor This Side of the Ball in USA Today's Latest Three-Round Mock Draft

The New York Giants need to bolster their offense further, and that's the direction the latest USA Today three-round mock draft takes them.

The New York Giants have made key moves this offseason to retain key free agents while bringing in new ones. But when it comes to the draft next month, Draft Wire's Jeff Rison, in his latest three-round mock draft, thinks the Giants will go offense early and often in the first three rounds of the draft.

Here are Risdon's projections.

R1, No. 25: C John Michael Schmitz, Minnesota

Thus far, the Giants haven't addressed the offensive line in free agency, but that will likely change in the draft, especially after the team lost both of their centers from last year, Nick Gates and Jon Feliciano, in free agency.

• RELATED: John Michael Schmitz Draft Profile

Risdon has the Giants bringing in an All-American center in John Michael Schmitz from Minnesota. Schmitz. The former Golden Gopher finished with a Production Score of 80 at the NFL Scouting Combine (first among all centers).

He also finished with an Athleticism Score of 73 (fifth among all centers). Schmitz knows how to make all the signals at the line of scrimmage and is fantastic as a run-blocker. That is handy when Saquon Barkley runs full-speed out of the backfield.

Despite his lack of size (301 lbs), Schmitz's pass protection should continue to improve with experience, and his overall technique is solid. Schmitz is ranked as the second-best center prospect on NFL Draft Bible's big board, but he still got a glowing review.

Schmitz is always in the right spot at the right time and routinely gets the job done on film. He does a fantastic job sustaining blocks, using great technique and an impressive anchor. Schmitz also plays through the whistle, preventing defenders from disengaging and making tackles downfield. There is tenacity and violence with the way Schmitz blocks as well. He wants to pile drive the player he is blocking, a quality perfect for an interior offensive lineman. It doesn’t always look pretty, but Schmitz always got the job done.

NFL Draft Bible believes Schmitz is a Day 2 draft pick but a Day 1 starter. The question is whether the Giants agree with that ranking or feel Schmitz has a high enough grade to go at No. 25.

Tennessee wide receiver Cedric Tillman (4) carries the ball he was presented during a pregame ceremony recognizing the team seniors before the start of the NCAA college football game against Missouri on Saturday, November 12, 2022 in Knoxville, Tenn :: Saul Young/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK

R2, No. 57: WR Cedric Tillman, Tennessee

The Giants are projected to add Tennessee receiver Cedric Tillman in the second round. At first glance, Tillman is a big target (6-foot-3, 213 lbs) who had a very solid career in orange despite an injury-riddled senior year in Knoxville.

In 2019, he became the first 1,000-yard Volunteer receiver since 2013. His history in big games is quite impressive too. In games against Alabama and Georgia in 2021, he caught a combined 17 passes for 352 yards and two touchdowns.

• RELATED: Cedric Tillman Draft Prospect Profile

Tillman is NFL Draft Bible's ninth-best receiver but could be someone who sees his stock continue to rise.

Big-time players make big-time plays in big-time situations. It’s a catchphrase that’s been around football forever, but it defines Tillman, who had 16 catches of 25-plus yards last season.

A consummate team leader, in addition to being named a three-time All-SEC academic selection, Tillman became the first Volunteers 1,000-yard receiver in a decade (Justin Hunter). He is ascending towards becoming an even better player than his father (Cedric Tillman), who the Denver Broncos picked in the 1992 NFL Draft. While his dad was chosen in the 11th round, Cedric has a shot to be selected ten rounds earlier!

A team can never have enough speed at the receiver position, but when that can be combined with size, even better. A bigger option on the outside could be a huge help for Daniel Jones, especially in the red zone and third down.

R3, No 89 - TE Tucker Kraft, South Dakota State

Last week, the Giants made a blockbuster move in acquiring Pro Bowl tight end Darren Waller in a trade with the Las Vegas Raiders. It was the type of move most would expect from a contending team coming off of their first playoff appearance since 2016.

The Giants team also has second-year tight end Daniel Bellinger under contract, who contributed 30 receptions as a rookie in 2022.

Theoretically, there isn't a need for a tight end unless the Giants want to add a youngster to develop who can help with blocking. Enter South Dakota State’s Tucker Kraft in the third round.

Kraft, NFL Draft Bible's fifth-ranked tight end, has great size (6-foot-5, 254 lbs.) and a bit of burst to him (4.69 40-time). Although he lacks elite speed and burst, his large frame, upside as a blocker, versatility in lining up all over the field, and ability to win contested catches should help him at the next level.

Kraft has experience lining up in-line, the slot, and out wide. The South Dakota native carries his weight with ease and possesses excellent size and density. Kraft still has room to add mass to his lower body, but he’s already strong enough to break arm tackles and shrug off shoulder tackles. He is a long strider who covers ground quickly.

Kraft has the strength to play through contact early in the route and frequently physically overpowers defensive backs. His stiff arm is lethal for smaller defenders. Kraft high points and rises to the ball and offers significant upside in contested catch situations. The Timber Lake High School product also adjusts and drops down for low passes. He’s quick off the line and threatens the seam vertically.

Kraft displays a strong clamp as a blocker. He usually correctly identifies potential threats and understands his blocking assignments. Kraft is an aggressive and willing blocker who plays angles well. He has the play strength to seal edge defenders and open rush lanes. The former FCS All-American drew nine penalties and dropped nine passes in the past two years.

While he covers ground quickly with his strides, Kraft appears to lumber at times. He lacks high-end burst and isn’t sudden or twitchy. Kraft appears to have below-average arm length. He runs a limited route tree, and his routes are more rounded than crisp.

Kraft appears to be a diamond in the rough. He didn’t go to a big school, but that doesn’t mean he can’t play ball. He has the athleticism and versatility to be an impact player in the NFL. 

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