Mock Draft Monday: Needs Focused

In this latest mock draft, the Giants address their remaining needs.

NFL Draft countdown clock in Campus Martius in Detroit / Mandi Wright / USA TODAY NETWORK

It’s Monday, and you know what that means.

Yep, another Mock Draft Monday. This one is a full draft—six rounds since the Giants don’t have a seventh-round pick, as conducted by yours truly.

For this mock draft, I changed things up a little bit. First, I used the one at NFL Mock Draft Database instead of Pro Football Focus's mock draft simulator. Second, I did not partake in any trades for this mock—I do not, as of right now, believe the Giants are going to trade up in the first round, though I do think there is a possibility of a trade down if the board falls similar to how it did in this mock draft.

I know many people out there want a quarterback in the first round, and I believe what the Giants do as far as addressing that position in this draft will be VERY revealing as far as how they feel about Daniel Jones.

With that said, here is my latest Giants-only mock draft. Mock away!

Round 1, Pick 6: WR Rome Odunze, Washington

The Giants need a stud receiver who can be everything and then some that Kenny Golladay was supposed to be. Odunze can help take an already good receiver room to the next level, no matter who the quarterback is.

(Side note: Caleb Williams was still on the board –I don’t think that will happen in real life, but I found it interesting. Jayden Daniels, Drake Maye, and JJ McCarthy were the first three picks, followed by Marvin Harrison Jr and Malik Nabers at picks 4 and 5.)

Round 2, No. 47: QB Spencer Rattler, South Carolina

The Giants need a quarterback given Daniel Jones's injury history, and although Rattler doesn't possess ideal size --get him some skyscraper receivers, which should help--there is much to like about his game.

He has a strong enough arm to throw off balance with accuracy and doesn't make receivers work for the football. He also has good pocket awareness and enough aggressiveness, though he needs to tone down some of the aggressiveness to avoid critical mistakes. He is a good pre- and post-snap processor.

Michael Penix Jr. (Washington) went to the Colts at 46. There was also a mini-run on cornerbacks in this round, with Max Melton (Rutgers) going to the Raiders at 44, TJ Tampa (Iowa State) to the Patriots at 34, and Kamari Lassiter (Georgia) to the Cardinals at 35.

Bo Nix (Oregon) went to the Jaguars at No. 48.

Round 3, No. 70: ILB Junior Colson, Michigan

At ILB, the Giants have Bobby Okereke, and there is everyone else. Colson combines size, speed, and strength, is a solid tackler (only five missed tackles last season in 662 defensive snaps), and is a big hitter. His speed is also a plus when it comes to dropping into coverage.

With the Giants adding running back Dante Miller, I question if drafting a running back is still necessary. (Texas RB Jonathon Brooks was still on the board.) But I still think that, despite the re-signing of Isaiah Simmons to a one-year deal, additional depth at inside linebacker might be on the Giants’ to-do list. 

Houston OT Patrick Paul went at Pick No. 69 (Chargers). It doesn't matter, as I got an offensive tackle a little later in the draft. TE Cade Stover (Ohio State) was also on the board, but I am not convinced that the Giants will draft another tight end right now. 

Round 4, No. 107: S Calen Bullock, USC

Despite adding veteran Jalen Mills, the Giants can probably use more depth at safety. In Bullock, they'd get a guy with good length who uses his length to break up passes and limit receivers' YAC. He's also a physical tackler who can close in quickly and has more than functional speed in the open field.

The only other player I considered here was edge Jonah Elliss (Utah). Still, I’m hoping (yes, I know) that with Brian Burns, Kayvon Thibodeaux, and Azeez Ojulari, the Giants can get by with that trio. 

Round 5: No. 166: OT Caeden Wallace, Penn State

The Giants could certainly use a developmental tackle, and there is a lot to like about Wallace's game, including the possibility of him learning to play guard to his repertoire, which would improve his long-term value. At tackle, Wallace has length and solid technique, and his production is almost on par with that of his teammate Olumuyiwa Fashanu, a projected first-rounder.

I liked the value here. This round, there was a mini run on tight ends and running backs before the Giants’ pick.)

Round 6, No. 183: CB Nehemiah Pritchett, Auburn

The Giants, whom I always say view their needs differently than the fans and media, could very well believe they have their CB2 on the roster in Tre Hawkins III or Nick McCloud. (Aaron Robinson is still on the roster, but unless he can stay on the field, I’m not holding out hope for him being a part of the competition.) Or, in this scenario, they take the "you can never have enough cornerbacks" approach and let defensive backs coach Jerome Henderson work his magic. 

Pritchett is an interesting developmental prospect with a nice size and length, but he needs to clean up his tackling.

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