Tag: 30937

In an offseason of upheaval in the Los Angeles Rams‘ secondary, cornerback Jalen Ramsey remains the constant. The group’s best player, sure, but also the team’s most vocal and enthusiastic recruiter.

Which is why it was no surprise to see Ramsey take to Twitter during the NFL draft encouraging Rams fans to “blow up” the mentions of then free-agent safety Tyrann Mathieu. Alas, Ramsey’s pursuit of Mathieu didn’t go far, as he signed with the New Orleans Saints.

Absent that one big move, the Rams weren’t shy about making plenty of other additions to a secondary that lost cornerback Darious Williams to the Jacksonville Jaguars in free agency.

Headlining the list was a trade that made Ramsey quite happy, as the Rams sent a 2023 fifth-round selection to the Cleveland Browns to re-acquire cornerback Troy Hill. Yes, the same Hill who played for the Rams from 2016-20 before signing a two-year, $9 million deal with Cleveland last offseason is back in the fold after the Rams struggled to replace him last season.

Armed with seven picks on Day 3 of the draft, the Rams spent four of those choices on defensive backs, adding South Carolina State cornerback Decobie Durant in the fourth round, UCLA safety Quentin Lake (sixth round), Georgia cornerback Derion Kendrick (sixth round) and Kansas State safety Russ Yeast (seventh round).

“DB was definitely something we were going to strategically target,” Rams general manager Les Snead said. “There was a moment where players that we liked were still on the board and let’s double down, triple down.”

If nothing else, Hill’s return gives the Rams needed stability and versatility to complement Ramsey as the Rams sort through other options that include the aforementioned rookies and the likes of David Long Jr., Robert Rochell, Grant Haley and Tyler Hall.

Because Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris likes to use Ramsey all over the defense, Hill’s ability to do a little of everything should also come in handy.

“He’s a guy that played really good football for us,” Rams coach Sean McVay said. “I think just the overall production, the position flexibility, the ability to play that nickel, the star position and be able to play outside and, as they say, distance makes the heart grow fonder. … Being able to get him back, he was excited and I know the players are excited to get him back here with us as well.”

Hill enjoyed a breakout season with the Rams in 2020 in which he posted three interceptions, 10 passes defended and scored a league-high three defensive touchdowns. In 12 games with the Browns, Hill had no interceptions and just one pass defended.

While Hill said he enjoyed the people he met in Cleveland, he said he learned “the grass is never as green on the other side” in his year away from the Rams.

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“Even when I was in Cleveland, I always found myself trying to compare things to how it was done over here in L.A.,” Hill said. “I don’t know if it was me more so just trying to compare as far as this is what a winning program [does], or if I was just missing everything that was happening over here.”

As for the rookies, immediate playing time will likely have to come in the form of special teams, but each brings something different to the table the Rams could tap into if needed.

Regardless of how it shakes out in the near term, Snead believes that making the secondary the first priority in this draft will pay off over the long haul.

“I often say in some draft classes where it’s very similar to a mutual fund where OK you are going to bring in a lot of players with different skill sets, genres, and you put them in the room and it just becomes a very competitive and obviously deeper room,” Snead said.

COSTA MESA, Calif. — The Los Angeles Chargers commanded attention at the outset of the offseason.

They acquired All-Pro outside linebacker Khalil Mack from the Chicago Bears in exchange for a second-round pick this year and a 2023 sixth-round pick. Then the Bolts signed Pro Bowl cornerback J.C. Jackson to a whopping five-year, $82.5 million contract in free agency.

But a star-studded streak of activity came to a halt on the opening night of the NFL draft when the Chargers used their first-round pick, No. 17 overall, to select a guard.

“Guards are people too, right?” Tom Telesco asked, grinning, in a rhetorical question following the opening round of his 10th NFL draft as Chargers general manager.

After making the high-profile initial offseason moves to improve a defense that ranked No. 29 in the NFL last season and allowed an average of 27 points per game, the Chargers selected Boston College guard Zion Johnson with their first pick in the draft, prioritizing protection for third-year quarterback Justin Herbert and a need to keep their offense moving.

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“I know it’s not the sexiest pick in the world, but he’s tough, he’s durable, he’s smart,” Telesco said about Johnson, who is anticipated to step in immediately at right guard. “We have some excellent skill players, both at receiver, tight end, also at running back and with Justin Herbert.

“Obviously, these guys cannot do their jobs without a rock-solid offensive line. As much as this pick is to protect our quarterback, which is a big part of it, this is also to facilitate everybody else. It’s pass protection, it’s run game.”

It’s not just that the Chargers’ first pick wasn’t that exciting, their entire draft didn’t warrant headlines. And it also didn’t yield the exact results for which the general manager hoped.

“It never goes perfect, because you can’t control everything,” Telesco said. “But it was a good weekend of work.”

However, in a season with playoff expectations after a near-miss in 2021 extended a three-year postseason drought, the Bolts were able to quietly address several areas of need, including the offensive and defensive lines, running back and the secondary.

“From the last game that we played ’til now, we’re certainly a much different-looking football team,” said Brandon Staley, whose first season as coach resulted in a 9-8 record and third-place AFC West finish. “There’s a lot of time between now and when we play, so we’re always going to be trying to find that winning edge, but I really like the team we have in front of us now.”

The Bolts selected eight players after entering the three-day event with 10 total picks. Two of their picks, both seventh-round selections, ended up with the Bears, as the Chargers traded them to re-acquire the 2023 sixth-round pick they sent to Chicago as part of the Mack trade.

The Chargers selected guard Jamaree Salyer in the sixth round to join Johnson on the offensive line. The Georgia product has experience playing all five positions on the line, and although he said some teams projected him as a right tackle, the Chargers have penciled him in as an interior player.

“He has a great makeup, great attitude to come in and try and win a job,” Telesco said about the NCAA national champion.

The Bolts used a fourth-round pick on Texas A&M running back Isaiah Spiller, whose rushing and pass-catching abilities are expected to complement Austin Ekeler. Staley said safety Derwin James Jr. vouched for Spiller “in a big way” as another former player of coach Jimbo Fisher, who coached James at Florida State and Spiller at A&M.

“[James] was saying, ‘You know that if you can play all three downs for Jimbo that you’re a legit guy,'” Staley explained. “He has really good instincts.”

Spiller led the SEC in rushing yards since 2019, which includes a conference-best 1,844 rushing yards after contact in that span.

The Chargers also added Purdue fullback Zander Horvath in the seventh round.

Defensively, the Bolts built depth in their secondary by selecting Baylor safety JT Woods in the third round.

“He’s a safety with a lot of cover ability, with his length and his speed,” Telesco said. “He shows a little bit of corner movement, so we kind of see him as a defensive back.”

They also picked Wake Forest cornerback Ja’Sir Taylor and Mississippi cornerback Deane Leonard in the sixth and seventh rounds, respectively.

The Chargers also drafted UCLA defensive tackle Otito Ogbonnia in the fifth round to join a defensive front that already has undergone a significant makeover with the addition of defensive tackles Sebastian Joseph-Day and Austin Johnson in free agency. Like Ogbonnia, Joseph-Day doesn’t have to travel far, as he was with the Super Bowl champion Los Angeles Rams last season.

“We look at lot closer to what I expect to look like,” Staley said about the interior of the defensive line. “We’re not there yet, but we’re a lot closer.”

Some questions remain as the Chargers continue the offseason program and look ahead to training camp.

Despite adding two offensive linemen, there remains no clear starter at right tackle. Storm Norton and Trey Pipkins III will again be among candidates to fill the spot.

And depth continues to be a concern on the edge behind Mack, Joey Bosa and second-year man Chris Rumph II.

“To kind of fill out the depth of that position, we’re going to have to look elsewhere,” Staley said. “Whether it’s the undrafted free agency right now or veteran free agency or before the first game — sometime during training camp — that’ll probably happen at one of those three junctures.”

As Staley prepared to exit his post-draft news conference, he provided a reminder the work is ongoing.

“Today is an ending, tomorrow is a beginning,” he said.

Sometimes it’s flashy. Sometimes, as seen during a three-day draft stretch, it’s less than glamorous.

But if all goes as planned, each phase will play its part in making the Chargers relevant again come late January.

MIAMI — The 2022 NFL draft is being held through Saturday and every Miami Dolphins draft pick will be analyzed here.

The draft will be held in Las Vegas on the strip in the area adjacent to Caesars Forum two years after it was initially scheduled. The 2020 NFL draft was turned into a virtual event because of COVID-19.

Here’s a pick-by-pick look at how each player Miami has selected will fit.

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Round 3, No. 102 overall: Channing Tindall, ILB, Georgia

My take: The Dolphins brought their entire corps of inside linebackers back this offseason, but it’s still a thin group overall that could use a sideline-to-sideline defender. Enter: Tindall. The former Bulldog is one of the fastest linebackers in this draft and should contribute quickly. Especially in a division that features one of the most dynamic players in the NFL in Bills QB Josh Allen, it was critical for the Dolphins to add as much speed as possible to the middle of their defense.

What’s next: The wait for the Dolphins’ second pick of this year’s draft won’t take as long as the first — they pick again at No. 125 overall. From there, they only have two remaining picks, both in the seventh round (Nos. 224 and 227). Miami doesn’t have any glaring needs, but could stand to add depth to its interior offensive and defensive lines. But considering the state of its roster, Miami is in a position to take the best player available.

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — The 2022 NFL draft is being held Thursday through Saturday and every New England Patriots draft pick will be analyzed here.

The draft will be held in Las Vegas on the Strip in the area adjacent to Caesars Forum two years after it was initially scheduled. The 2020 NFL draft was turned into a virtual event because of COVID-19.

Here’s a pick-by-pick look at how each player New England has selected will fit.

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Round 1, No. 29 overall: Cole Strange, OG, Chattanooga

My take: Strange projects to start at left guard, and if he follows in the footsteps of 2005 first-rounder Logan Mankins (32nd) or 2016 third-rounder Joe Thuney (78th), this will be a solid pick that addresses one of the team’s obvious needs (albeit one created by trading veteran guard Shaq Mason). Senior Bowl director Jim Nagy, a former New England scout, had identified Strange before the draft as an ideal Patriots fit. One question: Did the Patriots overdraft him? Strange was viewed by some draft analysts as a second- or third-round pick … which was actually what was said about Mankins back in 2005.

Starting O-line: The Patriots’ top offensive line projects as left tackle Isaiah Wynn, Strange at left guard, center David Andrews, right guard Mike Onwenu and right tackle Trent Brown. That assumes, of course, that Strange quickly adapts to the system.

Cornerback regrets? After starting cornerback J.C. Jackson departed in free agency, the Patriots had a chance to draft his replacement at No. 21 overall — Washington’s Trent McDuffie — who wasn’t projected to be available at that point by many draft analysts. But they instead followed through on a trade, moving back to No. 29 and picking up third-round (94) and fourth-round picks (121). The Chiefs took McDuffie at No. 21 with the pick acquired from the Patriots. If he goes on to become a shutdown corner, that could hurt from a New England perspective.

What’s next: The Patriots have 10 more picks in the draft, headlined by a second-rounder (54th), two third-rounders (85, 94) and two fourth-rounders (121, 127). Bill Belichick has now made an NFL-high 84 draft-day trades in his Patriots tenure, and that number figures to increase over the next two days. Belichick said at the team’s season-ticket member draft party that this is a deep draft, all the way into the later rounds.

MIAMI — While most NFL teams will spend Thursday night figuring out which elite prospect they want to take a chance on in the first round of the 2022 NFL draft in Las Vegas (8 p.m. ET, ABC/ESPN/ESPN app), the Miami Dolphins and general manager Chris Grier will probably be watching highlights of receiver Tyreek Hill somewhere inside the Baptist Health Traning Complex.

At least, that’s what Grier laughingly said he’d be doing after trading Miami’s picks in the first round, second round, and fourth round for Hill back in March. The Dolphins now have the least draft capital in the league with just four picks: No. 102 (third round), No. 125 (fourth), No. 224 (seventh) and No. 247 (seventh).

Despite owning so few selections, Grier said he and his staff haven’t altered anything about their preparation.

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“You never know when opportunities arise to do something,” he said. “If you haven’t done your work just because you don’t pick until 102, it could end up hurting you when you don’t have all the information if those opportunities arise. So for us, we had guys who were out at all pro days. Coaches were out. Coaches were doing private workouts.

“So for us, it’s been full steam ahead. The personnel staff has done a tremendous job and the coaching staff — Mike (McDaniel) and the coaching staff — these guys enjoyed getting out and getting to meet players, bringing them in, so the private workout stuff has been exciting.”

Miami has completely revamped its offense this offseason, adding Hill and tackle Terron Armstead to address its two biggest holes. The Dolphins also added receiver Cedrick Wilson, offensive lineman Connor Williams, and running backs Raheem Mostert and Chase Edmonds to further supplement the system McDaniel wants to run in his first year.

After strengthening their roster with some big additions this offseason, they are in the enviable position of being able to take the best player available this weekend. Still, the Dolphins have areas in which they can improve — namely inside linebacker and interior offensive line.

ESPN draft analyst Jordan Reid said the decision to trade their first two picks for Hill was a no-brainer — especially since there should be opportunities to address those remaining needs on Day 3 of the draft (Rounds 4-7).

“I [would] look to target a center [at No. 102],” Reid said. “I think just getting some competition [for] Michael Deiter … would be really, really wise for them. Because I’m not sure if Deiter is going to be the athlete that they need at that center spot.”

Reid specifically listed Dylan Parham from Memphis and Cole Strange from Chattanooga as potential options for the Dolphins at No. 102.

Parham is a converted tight end who started all four years for Memphis at tackle and guard and fits McDaniel’s zone-blocking scheme.

“He’s one that fits really, really well as far as what they want to do from a zone scheme or wide-zone scheme perspective,” Reid said. “He’s a really athletic type … also very powerful, too.”

Strange is projected as more of a fourth-round pick, although he wouldn’t be a stretch at No. 102, Reid said. He’s a guard who is a projected center in the NFL and caught Reid’s attention at the Senior Bowl this year.

Regardless, it’s likely Miami goes offensive line with at least one of its four picks considering how Grier feels about this year’s class.

“I think there’s some talent all the way through from the tackles, the guards, centers, all the way in through the [middle] rounds,” he said. “I think you can find some good, quality players. Everyone is always looking for the pass-rushers. I think there are some high-level rushers in this draft, and then at the end of the day, then it’ll be some projection. Guys that have some upside to work with.

“So I would say … offensive line to me, I think is the one really strong position in this draft.”

Reid mentioned linebackers Brandon Smith (Penn State) and Brian Asamoah (Oklahoma) as potential options in the fourth round.

Smith has great size (6-foot-3, 250 pounds) and ability but needs to improve his processing skills. It’s what Reid said is keeping him from being picked in the first or second round.

Asamoah is a strong tackler and athlete who Reid called a “wrecking ball” but is somewhat undersized (6-0, 226 pounds) for the position.

Beyond those positions of need, Reid said he would not be surprised if the Dolphins add a physical running back to complement their group of speedsters, such as Georgia’s Zamir White or Alabama’s Brian Robinson Jr.

RENTON, Wash. — The Seattle Seahawks‘ annual pre-draft press conference revealed little about who they plan to take but plenty about the vibe inside the Virginia Mason Athletic Center heading into Thursday’s first round of the NFL draft (8 p.m. ET, ABC, ESPN, ESPN app).

“I can’t put my finger on it, but there’s a certain energy in this building right now,” general manager John Schneider, seated next to coach Pete Carroll, told reporters last week. “There’s a certain refreshness and juice … It’s just very hard to describe.”

That feeling makes sense given the recent changes to the roster and coaching staff as well as the opportunity that lies ahead in this draft.

The Russell Wilson trade left the Seahawks with a major long-term question at quarterback but has also ended years of tension that hung over the organization, Schneider in particular. And it puts them in prime position to expedite their post-Wilson rebuild.

After making a franchise-low three selections last year, the Seahawks are as stocked with draft capital as they’ve been in a while. Four of their eight picks are in the top 72, including the No. 9 overall pick that was acquired from the Denver Broncos in the Wilson trade.

The very first pick of the Schneider/Carroll era — left tackle Russell Okung at No. 6 overall in 2010 — marks the only time they’ve picked inside the top 10. According to ESPN Stats & Information, only one other team (the New England Patriots) has not picked inside the top 10 at least once since then.

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That makes this a rare opportunity for the Seahawks to draft top-end talent they could land only in their dreams — or via a trade for two first-rounders — when they were selecting in the 20s as a perennial playoff team.

“There’s definitely an excitement about this because there’s only so many things that can happen,” Carroll said. “When you’re picking 25th and 28th and down there, there’s a million scenarios. This is not like that. It’s a little different.”

Still, there are plenty of scenarios that could play out, thanks to the mystery of how many quarterbacks — if any — will go before the Seahawks’ pick. And there are enough needs on a team that finished 7-10 last season to bring several positions into play.

Florida State edge rusher Jermaine Johnson II was the pick for Seattle in NFL Nation’s mock draft, though LSU cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. and Mississippi State offensive tackle Charles Cross were strong considerations. Quarterback was not, as all indications suggest that the Seahawks are high enough on Drew Lock‘s potential and not sold enough on anyone in this year’s crop of QBs to take one at No. 9.

And while trades weren’t allowed in NFL Nation’s mock draft, they will very much be in play on Thursday. According to Schneider, the final few days of draft prep include talking with other teams about possible trades.

“People know that we’re very open to moving around,” he said. “We’re pliable.”

The Seahawks’ 21 draft-day trades since 2016 are third most in the NFL, according to ESPN Stats & Information. In that span, they’ve entered the draft with six first-round picks and have stayed put only twice, moving back four other times.

Then again, that trend was largely a function of the drop-off in talent that usually occurs in the second half of the first round.

“You get down to … that lower part of the round, if you get to like 18 or 20, right in there, depending on the year, you’re basically drafting in the second round,” Schneider said at the owners’ meetings. “That’s why you guys have seen us go back, because from, call it, 20 to 45, you’re basically getting the same quality player.”

The dynamic is much different this year, with the Seahawks in the unfamiliar position of landing one of the draft’s top-rated prospects.

And with that comes an opportunity to clean up a spotty track record with recent first-round picks.

Right tackle Germain Ifedi (31st overall in 2016) was not as bad as his harshest critics suggested but didn’t play well enough to get a second contract from Seattle. That selection was heavily influenced by then-offensive line coach Tom Cable, who had more say in personnel decisions than an average position coach.

Running back Rashaad Penny (27th, 2018) just got a second contract from Seattle after finishing last year on a tear, but Nick Chubb, who was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the second round, has vastly outperformed him over four seasons. Much of the organization favored Chubb in 2018. Perhaps the loudest dissenting voice was then-offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer, who coached Chubb for one season at Georgia and had reservations about him as a pass-catcher.

Defensive end L.J. Collier (29th, 2019) has produced sparingly in three seasons and was a healthy scratch for much of 2021. The Seahawks settled on Collier after missing out on defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence and tight end Noah Fant (whom they acquired in the Wilson trade). They felt they badly needed an edge rusher and saw a steep drop-off, so they took Collier above where they had him rated.

Linebacker Jordyn Brooks (27th, 2020) has been their best first-rounder in at least a decade. He looks like a cornerstone player with Pro Bowls in his future.

The common thread with the three misses before him were their selection near the end of the first round. The Seahawks have hit on all three of their earlier first-rounders since 2010 (Okung and Earl Thomas in 2010, and Bruce Irvin in 2012). In the case of Thomas — a potential Hall of Fame safety they took at No. 14 — they hit big. Okung made a Pro Bowl and later became the NFL’s highest-paid left tackle. Irvin, who was picked No. 15, has had a nice career, with 52 sacks in 10 seasons.

So no wonder the Seahawks are excited to be back inside the top 10, at least for now.

“There’s a different level of excitement about the opportunity,” Carroll said. “And then, as John said, we’ll be interested to see how other people see it, and are they willing to come chasing that spot too. Just everything about it is more challenging, more exciting, and we’re looking forward to it.”

Snoop Dogg will perform.

Coach Brandon Staley, quarterback Justin Herbert, receiver Keenan Allen, safety Derwin James Jr. and two newcomers — cornerback J.C. Jackson and tight end Gerald Everett — will be in attendance.

But the identity of the main attraction at the Los Angeles Chargers‘ NFL draft party at SoFi Stadium on Thursday has yet to be determined, as general manager Tom Telesco and the Bolts are scheduled to make the 17th overall pick when the first round of the draft (8 p.m. ET; ABC, ESPN, ESPN app) gets underway.

“I feel good about where we are,” Telesco told reporters Monday about the Chargers’ draft position. “With the amount of players that we have in that area, we should be in pretty good shape.”

Following a 9-8 season and third-place finish in the AFC West in Staley’s first year as coach, the Bolts must continue to bolster a defense that ranked No. 26 in efficiency, solidify protection for Herbert on the right side of the offensive line, plus add a speedy weapon for the third-year quarterback to target.

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Picking at No. 17, the Chargers could be in position to select among a talented group of offensive tackles — with players such as Mississippi State’s Charles Cross, Northern Iowa’s Trevor Penning or Tulsa’s Tyler Smith potentially available at that spot — to fill a vacancy at right tackle and provide the final piece to a line that already is anchored on the left side by Pro Bowler Rashawn Slater, their first-round pick in 2021.

“We’ll just kind of see how it plays out,” Telesco said, when asked if there was a need to select an offensive lineman. “You never know how it’s going to go. A little bit like free agency, you can only bring in what’s going to be available — same thing with the draft, you can only draft what’s available. We certainly aren’t going to force anything.”

If the Chargers don’t select a lineman, there are plenty of playmakers who could immediately fill a roster need.

USC receiver Drake London is unlikely to be available midway through the first round, but Ohio State wideout Chris Olave could be a needed speedy option to stretch the field for Herbert.

And if the Bolts look to fill a defensive need with their first selection, they could do so with Washington cornerback Trent McDuffie or Georgia defensive tackle Jordan Davis.

The Chargers own 10 picks total, including a third, fourth, fifth, two sixth and four seventh-round selections.

Their current haul of selections is the most they’ve owned since having 11 in 2004 and could afford them the opportunity to round out a roster that’s already undergone the significant upgrades necessary to compete in an ever-improving division that now includes Super Bowl champion quarterback Russell Wilson joining the Denver Broncos and All-Pro receiver Davante Adams moving to the Las Vegas Raiders.

The Bolts traded their second-round pick, along with a 2023 sixth-round selection, to the Chicago Bears in exchange for All-Pro outside linebacker Khalil Mack. They signed Jackson, a free-agent Pro Bowl cornerback with the New England Patriots, to a five-year, $82.5 million contract, then added former New York Giants defensive tackle Austin Johnson on a two-year, $14 million deal and defensive tackle Sebastian Joseph-Day on a three-year, $24 million deal to leave the Super Bowl champion Los Angeles Rams.

On offense, Everett — a five-year veteran who played last season with the Seattle Seahawks — signed a two-year, $12-million contract.

“We’re just trying to use every avenue we can use right now to get there, whether through trades, free agency, the draft, or post-draft,” Telesco said about building a complete roster. “How close are we? I don’t know.”

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — General manager Joe Schoen has stressed the New York Giants‘ multitude of needs every time he’s spoken publicly over the past month. He has insisted that will allow New York, which holds the No. 5 and No. 7 overall picks in the 2022 NFL draft, to take the best player available on Thursday in Las Vegas (8 p.m. ET, ABC/ESPN/ESPN app).

Usually, those kinds of comments can be brushed off as typical GM speak, specifically during the pre-draft process. However, in this instance it really does seem to apply.

“I think where we are in our roster, there’s several needs,” Schoen said last week. “To put a finger on what exactly the biggest need is would be difficult. If you can find two really good football players at [Nos.] 5 and 7, that’s how we stacked the board. Let’s just throw need, whatever [the] perceived need is, out. Who are the best football players in this draft?”

That is only possible because the Giants have enough needs — at premium positions, no less — to fill their entire draft board. Offensive line, edge rusher and cornerback all could use an influx of talent. We can also add safety, tight end, running back and most likely, quarterback, to the list.

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Luckily for the Giants, the top of the draft is filled with players at most of those premium positions (sans quarterback). The top 10 could include two offensive tackles (likely three), four edge rushers and two cornerbacks.

It’s perfect for Schoen and coach Brian Daboll. It gives them options, even if multiple sources within the organization and around the league have insisted they want to land an offensive tackle at pick No. 5.

Wanting, however, doesn’t mean it needs to happen at all costs. In this case, it could depend on Alabama tackle Evan Neal. Discussions with sources over the past few months indicate he is the top offensive lineman on their board, ahead of Mississippi State’s Charles Cross.

Which brings us to what has become an annual exercise: providing a list of prospects who make sense for the Giants with an informed projection of the most likely to be selected by New York in the first round.

This process has produced pretty respectable results — in five of the past eight drafts the Giants’ scheduled first-round picks have appeared on this list. Twice they have been the projected pick — offensive lineman Ereck Flowers in 2015 and running back Saquon Barkley in 2018. The big whiffs came with New York’s picks in 2016 (cornerback Eli Apple at No. 10) and 2017 (tight end Evan Engram at No. 23). Last year was an outlier because the Giants traded back from No. 11 to No. 20.

So let’s take another crack at it. Here are the prospects most likely to be selected by the Giants at No. 5 and No. 7 overall on Thursday:

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Pick No. 5

OT Evan Neal (Alabama): It feels like a coin flip between Neal and Cross here, but Neal has a higher grade and fewer flaws to nitpick. The biggest question seems to be whether Neal or Cincinnati cornerback Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner will be selected at No. 3 by the Houston Texans. That is the pick to watch. But Neal makes a ton of sense for the Giants. You can plug him in at right tackle, where he played a season for Alabama. He’s strong, good in the run game, and moves well for his size (6-foot-7, 337 pounds).

2. CB Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner (Cincinnati): Another player whom sources have said the Giants are really high on. Gardner is widely considered the best and safest cornerback in the draft. Again, this marries need and evaluation. New York needs to add to its secondary, especially if top cornerback James Bradberry is traded this weekend, and Gardner is a strong option. He didn’t allow a single touchdown reception in three seasons for the Bearcats.

3. OT Charles Cross (Mississippi State): It’s too hard to ignore all the smoke connecting Cross to the Giants, especially considering sources have told ESPN there are people in the building who “love” him. There is also the seemingly ideal fit in Daboll’s offense thanks to his pass-blocking prowess. However, at one point this offseason there was a belief among some in the organization that he was more of a mid-first-round pick. To be selected at No. 5 seems like quite the jump, but the fit makes sense. “Athletically, he’s got everything you need,” a scout said. “Best pure pass-protector in the draft,” offensive line consultant Duke Manyweather added. The Giants need to keep quarterback Daniel Jones upright and Cross would certainly help.

4. Ikem Ekwonu (NC State): Here we are back at offensive tackle with a third option. Ekwonu is ranked the lowest of the three tackles here because he likely has the best chance of the tackles to be selected in the top four picks and isn’t an ideal fit. He’s more of an “elite run-blocker,” according to multiple evaluators. Still, several teams have Ekwonu rated as their top offensive lineman. It just doesn’t seem the Giants are one of them.

5. Travon Walker (Georgia): Had to include him on this list for pick No. 5 because he made it to the Giants in our annual NFL Nation mock draft. It’s hard to see that happening on Thursday though. Walker is considered the favorite to be the No. 1 overall pick at the moment. There seems to be a really strong likelihood he goes in the top two selections. But a front-seven player with his ability, strength and versatility sure would fit well in defensive coordinator Don “Wink” Martindale’s system.

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Pick No. 7

1. Gardner: The question with Gardner is whether he makes it this far. There has been some buzz about him going third overall to the Texans. If he makes it to No. 5, the Giants can likely wait to take him with their second pick because the Carolina Panthers will go in another direction after selecting cornerback Jaycee Horn at No. 8 overall last year. However, waiting to take Gardner at No. 7 could allow someone to trade up and snag him before the Giants. Risky? Sure, especially after the Philadelphia Eagles did it last year to get receiver DeVonta Smith one pick in front of New York. It’s the game of chicken that Schoen must ponder.

2. Edge rusher Jermaine Johnson II (Florida State): This is a name that has been gaining a lot of traction of late. He seems destined to be chosen in the top 10, so why not No. 7? The Giants have a massive need for a high-end edge rusher, and several evaluators believe his skills translate to the point that he will ultimately be the best pass-rusher in this draft.

3. Cross: Can the Giants wait until No. 7? Maybe. If at least two of the top three offensive tackles are available at five, Schoen can be patient and potentially still grab Cross at seven.

4. Kayvon Thibodeaux (Oregon): There has been a lot of talk about Thibodeaux’s motivation and his focus on his personal brand. That could create some hesitation to have him in New York, but the Giants have done a ton of work on him, and don’t appear turned off by that stuff. His perceived fall from the top five picks has more to do with potentially being a good (not great) player. Thibodeaux, however, does have the ideal first step and pass-rush production to make this a pick the Giants need to make. Schoen didn’t fly across the country to attend his pro day for no reason.

5. Cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. (LSU): He has all the skills, and some believe he will be the best cornerback in the draft. There is just a little too much risk for Stingley to be higher on this list. He hasn’t played at an elite level since his freshman year at LSU in 2019, and missed most of last season with a foot injury. But he’s a really good player with a high ceiling at a position of need whom the Giants like. Don’t completely count him out.