Ed’s 7-round New York Giants mock draft: A different option at quarterback for the Giants

Let’s get to our first New York Giants Jameis Winston era 7-round mock draft.

Round 1 (No. 3) — Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado

Cam Ward (Tennessee Titans) and Shedeur Sanders (Cleveland Browns) went 1-2 in this simulation. So, I just took the best player.

I don’t know how the Giants would use Hunter. There was speculation at the Combine that they saw him as a cornerback first, but who knows. Brian Daboll is an offensive head coach, and I can’t believe he wouldn’t want to use Hunter’s skills on offense as much as possible.

Round 2 (No. 34) — Tyler Booker, G, Alabama

I will take a guard who probably should not be on the board in this spot. Booker’s experience is on the left, which means Jon Runyan Jr. is moving to the right.

Full disclosure: Quarterback Jaxson Dart went No. 21 to the Pittsburgh Steelers. I thought about a trade up for Dart, but wanted to see how this would play out if I stayed put.

Other players considered: Grey Zabel, iOL, North Dakota State; Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State

Round 3 (No. 65) — Tyler Shough, QB, Louisville

Shough’s seven-year college odyssey ends with him as the Giants’ potential quarterback of the future. Todd McShay believes Shough could be the best quarterback to come out of this draft. I don’t know about that, but I know when I watch him I see a Round 1 talent. Shough is great value here. McShay has Shough with an identical grade to that of Jaxson Dart.

Now, I can’t scout the way Chris and Nick can. But, when I look at Shough I see a guy who would be in the QB2 argument if it wasn’t for his age. Here is what I jotted in my notes:

Positives:

• Accurate, catchable ball
• Shows ability to layer throws
• Shows ability to go through progressions
• Zip, accuracy on tight middle throws in red zone
• Ridiculous off-platform, sidearm throw going left for TD vs. Virginia (7:40)
• Enough mobility … able to move in the pocket
• Sidearm TD throw moving left vs. SMU (1:10)
• Plenty of arm on the deep shots
• Great throw on run to right for 70-yard TD vs. SMU
• Some work from under center
• Ability to find an outlet, get the ball out under pressure
• Zip, placement on some tight window throws

Negatives:

• Lengthy injury history
• Age … 26 in rookie season

33rd Team says:

Louisville Cardinals quarterback Tyler Shough projects as a toolsy, mature developmental quarterback who, in the right environment, could serve as a viable bridge quarterback. He’s seen a lot of football, thanks to a laundry list of season-ending injuries that preserved his college eligibility. Still, he enjoyed a productive final season during his one and only year at Louisville.

Shough is a fluid athlete with notable arm talent, but his durability and decision-making under pressure loom as threats that could prevent him from ever living up to his potential behind center.

The first part of the McShay below is dedicated to Shough:

Round 3 (No. 99) — Deone Walker, DL, Kentucky

The Giants need to add play-making talent on the defensive line. I would be curious to see what defensive line coach Andre Patterson could do with the 6-6, 348-pound Walker.

NFL.com says:

A defensive lineman with rare traits, Walker might require a heavier lean on projection over tape. He’s tight-hipped and too upright to really sink in and command the gaps as an even-front defensive tackle. His success rate rises once he’s able to kick out wider in the alignment and engage in more man-to-man battles. Consistent pocket pressure could come if he starts playing with better aggression to overwhelm protection with physical gifts. The tape was better in 2023 and there were times in 2024 that his conditioning showed up as an issue. Walker’s traits and upside could make him a more consistent NFL talent if he improves his technique and ramps up his motor.

Other players considered: Cam Skattebo, RB, Arizona State; Josiah Stewart, edge, Michigan

Round 4 (No. 105) — Josiah Stewart, edge, Michigan

Our Chris Pflum keeps banging the table for this player.

NFL.com says:

Stewart falls below the classic size threshold as a 3-4 outside backer, but it might not matter much. He plays with all-day aggression and thirst for contact. He’s a decisive, linear rusher with the get-off and bend to win at the top of the rush, but he turns speed into power if tackles get too light on their feet. His entries of attack are fairly predictable and he needs to diversify his moves and counters. He’s violent at all contact points but is occasionally engulfed or knocked around some by size. The instincts are average but his pursuit range and closing burst can compensate. Despite a lack of size and length, the right ingredients are in place for Stewart to become an impactful starter within his first few years in the league.

Round 5 (No. 154) — Ollie Gordon, RB, Oklahoma State

Yes, the Giants have Tyrone Tracy and Devin Singletary. Gordon is competition for Eric Gray and Dante Miller.

33rd Team says:

Gordon II is a supersized running back who can punish defenders with a full head of steam. He is a violent runner in all ways, from how he presses gaps to how he attacks defenders on the second level to how he handles his duties in pass protection.

This is not a one-size-fits-all running back, but there should be little doubt that this is a viable NFL contributor. He was given a ton of clear runways in 2023 en route to some monster production and a high number of explosive runs. He will be offensive line dependent at the next level, as well.

Gordon, 6-foot-2, 226 pounds, offers the Giants a power runner, something they don’t have.

Round 7 (No. 219) — Malachi Moore, S, Alabama

Maybe Moore only ends up challenging Dane Belton and Anthony Johnson for a backup role. I would take that.

NFL.com says:

Moore can play all the safety spots but is more effective in coverage than he is when helping against the run. He has average top-end speed but makes up for it with good awareness and ball location when playing down the field. Moore could be asked to line up as a nickelback or split safety but solid backup might be as high as his ceiling goes.

Round 7 (No. 246) — Gerad Christian-Lichtenhan, OT, Oregon State

George Young would be proud. A flier on a 6-foot-8, 328-pound offensive tackle with 36-inch arms. Nothing wrong with that with the 246th pick in the draft. Christian-Lichtenhan was impressive at the East-West Shrine Bowl.