Patricia Traina's Final New York Giants-only 2023 Mock Draft
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This is it: my final seven-round New York Giants-only mock draft for 2023. This weekend we'll find out exactly how the board falls and what moves general manager Joe Schoen decided to make regarding trades.
Speaking of which, for this mock, which I did using Pro Football Network's mock draft simulator, I didn't engage in any trades (I did try to make a trade-up but couldn't work out the compensation). I remain convinced that the Giants will NOT take all ten picks this weekend.
Here's my no-frills, Giants-only final (for the 2023 draft season) mock draft.
Mock away!
Round 1, No. 25: WR Quentin Johnston, TCU
Yes, I know. Given the glaring need at the position, I'm as surprised as you are, considering I spent weeks saying I would lean toward cornerback. But when Quentin Johnston fell down the board to No. 25, the value was too good to pass up for a team that could use a No. 1 receiver.
Johnston has had some issues with concentration drops, of which he recorded eight of his 13 career drops last year alone. Still, there is much to like about Johnston's game, from his size and length to his production and ability to stretch the field, separate, and challenge for contested catches.
Although the Giants added heavily to their receiver corps, if this young man can turn into the missing No. 1 receiver this team thought it had with Kenny Golladay, then it makes too much sense not to pick him if he's there when the Giants go on the clock.
Round 2, No. 57: CB Clark Phillips III, Utah
As noted above, this is a deep cornerback class, to, where teams looking for a future starter should be able to find one as late as Day 3. Clark Phillips, who stands 5-foot-9 and tips the scales at 184 pounds, isn't a big corner with ideal length, but he makes up for it with his football IQ and play-making ability. He posted six of his career 14 interceptions last season, recording a career-low 68.4 passer rating.
Here is what Nick Falato had to say about Phillips:
He has man coverage capability but may best fit as a zone defender. Love his ball skills and aggressive nature, albeit he was baited on tape. He’s not the biggest, and play strength is a concern. His tackling was a huge issue in 2022 -- he missed 28% of his tackle attempts; he’s wild into the tackle point, despite his desire and want to run through receivers. Phillips isn’t the biggest or fastest, but he is a high processor with a reportedly desire to be great with the necessary work ethic to make that happen.
Phillips has been projected to be a slot cornerback, given his size at the next level where he could eventually push incumbent Darnay Holmes for the job assuming the team decides to stick with Aaron Robinson on the outside.
Round 3, No. 89: OC Ricky Stromberg, Arkansas
There was a run on centers in the second round. And the more I think about it, the more I believe that the team is leaning toward having J.C. Hasenauer or Ben Bredeson (whoever wins the competition start the season as the starting center while the finishing touches are added to a young center the team likely plans to draft.
Stromberg, 6-foot-3, 306 lbs., offered too good value to pass up in the third round. Hailed by NFL Draft Bible as "as an early low-end starter with room to improve into a solid starter," Stromberg has experience at both center and guard, his versatility is undoubtedly an appealing trait for any team.
Stromberg has decent enough athleticism and strength to fit into any scheme and was ranked the third-best run-blocking center in this year's class by PFF, behind Minnesota's John Michael Schmitz and USC's Brett Neilon, and the third-best pass-blocking center among those who played 80 percent of their team's pass pro snaps.
Round 4, No. 128: Edge Byron Young, Tennessee
The Giants have their outside linebacking starters in Kayvon Thibodeaux and Azeez Ojulari, but the depth is still on the thin side behind them. Tomon Fox and Johad Ward can give them snaps there, but beyond that, guys like Elerson Smith remain a mystery.
Young might be one of the older prospects in this draft, but he appealed to me in this spot because of his motor, his twitchiness, and his quick first step. If defensive coordinator Wink Martindale is looking to incorporate more twists in his pass-rushing packages, Young has that sudden change of direction ability that can leave an opponent reaching for straws before realizing what hit him.
As a part-time pass rusher, Young can certainly provide depth while he smooths out the brought spots in his game, such as his hands and stack-and-shed ability.
Round 5, No. 160: RB Tyjae Spears, Tulane
Regardless of what happens long-term with Saquon Barkley, I strongly believe the Giants will add to the running back group--and no, this isn't a reflection on how I feel about Jashaun Corbin, who spent most of last year on the practice squad, for those wondering.
Matt Breida is signed through this season, as will be with Barkley once he signs his tag. Running backs can have a short shelf life, so it's never a bad thing to add to the group, especially if Barkley decides to extend his absence beyond the July 17 deadline to get a long-term deal done.
If Spears is healthy--he had a knee issue in his past--he can be a nice change of pace back option for the team. Averaging 4.5 yards after contact, Spears runs with bend and decent vision and lets his blocking develop well enough. Where he's particularly dangerous is at the second level.
Ranked as NFL Draft Bible's fourth-best running back in this class, Spears, like any other NFL rookie, will need to get stronger and add some bulk to better hold up on runs between the tackles, but he has some strong traits that should translate well to the next level assuming his medicals check out.
Round 5: No. 172: CB Riley Moss, Iowa
Moss has solid size (6-foot-1, 195 pounds), is smart and instinctive, has good field presence, is a good tackler, and has good leaping ability. He struggles in press, especially when recovering after being beaten--zone is more his cup of tea. He also lacks top-end speed, which makes one wonder if moving him to safety might be in the cards.
Nick Falato noted in his write-up of Moss: "Moss uses good technique when in phase to disrupt receivers at the catch point, and he’s an aggressive run support player on the outside. He’s not an elite athlete, but there’s enough athletic ability within his profile to warrant him a legitimate shot at CB. I don’t think his man coverage ability is as big of an issue as others; however, I question his recovery speed when he is in a disadvantageous position early in a rep."
Round 6: No, 209 (via Kansas City): IOL Anthony Bradford, LSU
Yes, I heard what Joe Schoen said about having 14 offensive linemen under contract, but as I've also noted, ten of those aren't signed beyond this year. And even if all ten of them have solid seasons, the odds that the Giants re-sign all of them are slim to none.
Bradford is a bit of a project--think practice squad--but has some upside that might make him worth taking a flier on. He has a wide body (6-foot-4, 332 lbs.) and is a power guard.
He possesses average athleticism, which could be a problem in pass pro, and has a stiff upper body and bend, but his initial foot quickness gets him into position soon enough, and he's mobile enough if asked t pull.
Bradford's real bread-and-butter is on the double team. He's also very physical with delivering a pop and finishes well. He has strong hands and meets power with winning power.
Here are the three seventh-round picks I made. I do not think the Giants will finish with three seventh-rounders, but since I didn't make any trades, I'm including them in this mock. And I view all three of these players as potential practice squad/developmental prospects.
- No. 240: DT Karl Brooks, Bowling Green
- No. 243: QB Tommy DeVito, Illinois
- No. 254: TE Josh Whyle, Cincinnati -
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