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MIAMI — When he entered the interview room Tuesday after voluntary organized team activities, Miami Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel resembled more of an ad for high-end athleisure than a football coach — a gray sweatshirt and matching sweatpants with yellow Yeezy sneakers providing the only color to his outfit.

As Miami enters Phase III of offseason workouts, McDaniel has grown popular on social media for his fashion sense and among his players for his ability to connect with them. He was hired in February as an offensive guru, but his acumen appears to extend beyond X’s and O’s.

“He’s a players’ coach,” said receiver River Cracraft, who played last season for the San Francisco 49ers, where McDaniel was the offensive coordinator. “He gets along with players and he acts like he’s one of us in the sense that you can talk to him. He’s never going to big-time you or push you aside. … That’s what he’s doing with everybody here and that’s why I love playing for Mike, because you know what you’re going to get from him, just his honesty.”

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The Dolphins began their offseason workout regimen in the first week of April, with McDaniel and his staff laying the foundation for their offensive system.

Miami made it a priority to add playmakers this offseason, trading for receiver Tyreek Hill (league-best 20 touchdowns of 50-plus yards since 2016). The Dolphins also signed receiver Cedrick Wilson, who showed big-play ability with Dallas last season, and running backs Chase Edmonds (runs of 54 and 40 yards in 2021) and Raheem Mostert (top speed of 22.73 mph on a 2020 play was the fastest by a ball carrier in three seasons, according to NFL Next Gen stats).

The Dolphins also signed offensive linemen Terron Armstead and Connor Williams as they switch to an attack that is expected to feature a lot of zone blocking, stretch running plays and creativity.

Now that the team has moved on from classroom and film study and drill work, it can begin to create a foundation to build on once training camp begins in July, McDaniel said.

“Realistically you want guys committed to getting better and you want to really establish how you’re going to go about business,” he said. “We had two voluntary minicamps and … our second OTA, and what was important to me was you don’t skip steps in this business. So if we want to make strides and progress as an organization and as a football team, we have to position ourselves so that when we come back for training camp, we’re able to practice and operate at a high-caliber level that fits our goals.”

Miami missed the playoffs for the fifth straight season in 2021, finishing with a 9-8 record. Coach Brian Flores was fired the day after the season ended on Jan. 10, with owner Stephen Ross citing communication issues as one of the deciding factors. McDaniel, who comes from an innovative coaching tree that has produced head coaches Kyle Shanahan (49ers), Sean McVay (Rams) and Matt LaFleur (Packers), was hired to fix an offense that ranked 25th in the NFL last season and to galvanize the locker room.

So far, his players have raved about his work in both areas. McDaniel has kept things light but focused at practice, holding a putting contest during conditioning drills this offseason and implementing a “practice player of the day” award, with perks that include donning an orange jersey and having full control over the next practice’s music playlist.

“He’s doing a great job of just bringing us all together,” cornerback Nik Needham said. “In team meetings he’ll say some jokes or just funny stuff, show stuff on film … I think all that stuff is building the camaraderie on the team.”

Of course, camaraderie can only take a team so far without a proper system in place.

There won’t be tangible evidence of the effectiveness of McDaniel’s schemes until the preseason begins, but the offensive players are excited about the revamped approach.

“I mean it’s a completely different offense, as you guys can probably tell from watching San Fran’s film,” second-year offensive lineman Liam Eichenberg said. “It’s just different. New coaches, new style, new scheme. [I’m] trying to improve every day, trying to learn the offense the best that I can.”

Said Needham: “We all feel the energy in here, and it just feels like a different vibe this year for sure. You never know what happens, but we just want to keep it going. I love what he’s doing here for sure.”

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Quick-hit thoughts and notes around the New England Patriots and NFL:

1. Thornton’s blazing speed: Running the 40-yard dash at the NFL scouting combine is one of the ultimate solo pursuits for rookies looking to break into the league. All eyes are on them. No one is there to pick them up.

How former Baylor wide receiver and Patriots second-round pick Tyquan Thornton prepared for that defining moment — in which he posted a blazing time of 4.28 seconds, the fastest of any receiver this year and fourth fastest of any receiver since 2006 — is a notable story that potentially bodes well for his transition to the pros.

Thornton was planning to prepare in Texas but made a late switch to XPE Sports in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where he was part of a training group with Baylor cornerback Kalon Barnes (seventh round, Panthers) and University of Texas-San Antonio cornerback Tariq Woolen (fifth round, Seahawks).

The three produced the fastest times at this year’s combine — Thornton’s 4.28, Barnes at 4.23 and Woolen at 4.26.

“They just kept pushing each other. It was a competition and it ended up working well where they all killed it at the combine,” said XPE’s Matt Gates, who has been training prospects for the combine since 2003.

Just as Thornton fed off the competition with Barnes and Woolen, the Patriots are banking on the same thing happening in a New England receiver room headlined by DeVante Parker, Nelson Agholor, Kendrick Bourne and Jakobi Meyers.

There is more to playing football than running a 40-yard dash, of course. So how Thornton’s scorching speed is blended into the Patriots’ overall system — and if he can master a variety of routes — will be one of the key determinants of whether the team had a successful draft.

Gates, who worked with the 6-foot-2, 181-pound Thornton for a 10-week stretch that began in early January, is optimistic.

“When we started pre-testing, I was like, ‘Man, we’ve got something here,'” he said. “Super smooth. Super explosive. And honestly, for a guy that is that fast, you don’t typically see someone who can change directions and catch the ball well. A lot of times you’ll see straight-ahead wide receivers who can blow the top off it, but they can’t run a route. Tyquan can do all that — he’s got good hands, he’s smart, he picks things up quick.”

One example of how Thornton picks things up came early in the 10 weeks spent training with Gates.

“His technique wasn’t great. Even though he had a track background, we just had to tighten up some things on his start and a few things along the way,” Gates said. “It clicked right away.”

2. Heat prep: With the Patriots scheduled to open the season in Miami, hydration and conditioning — always important — figure to be emphasized that much more throughout training camp. Along those lines, the Patriots and Raiders are planning to hold at least one of their Las Vegas-based August joint practices outside, with the other inside Allegiant Stadium. Las Vegas weather in August is often sizzling, with highs sometimes hitting triple digits.

3. Jedd’s guests? The Patriots might see a benefit of staying out West after their Week 14 game against the Cardinals, instead of traveling home and then turning back around for a Week 15 game on the road against the Raiders. Coach Bill Belichick has done that in the past, most recently with back-to-back road games in Los Angeles in 2020. If so, an extended stay at the University of Arizona — where former Patriots quarterbacks coach Jedd Fisch enters his second year as head coach — would make sense.

4. Rookie intros: Offensive lineman Cole Strange and the rest of the Patriots’ 2022 rookie class were on the field for the first time Friday and Saturday in a closed-to-the-media rookie minicamp, and they will now spend the majority of the offseason in town as they transition to life in the pros. Members of the draft class were brought in two weeks ago for more of a brief introduction, and now the official onboarding process is underway and the daily on-site work begins. While always subject to change, May 26 is the first time media members are scheduled to have access at practice.

5. McDuffie & McCourty: University of Washington cornerback Trent McDuffie, whom the Chiefs traded up with the Patriots to select at No. 21 overall, was compared to longtime Patriots captain Devin McCourty by a scout when factoring in his combination of on-field talent and off-field traits. While the Patriots were widely acknowledged to have received excellent value in their trade down to No. 29 — gaining third- and fourth-round picks — the trade could ultimately be judged differently if McDuffie turns that McCourty comparison into reality.

6. Patriots’ request: One of the notable nuggets from NFL Vice President of Broadcasting Mike North was that the Patriots requested to play their games out West back-to-back if possible, which tied into New England ultimately getting four straight prime-time games. It’s a request other teams made as well, with North noting Atlanta, San Francisco, Miami and Las Vegas falling into that category.

7. Eyes on Watson: Any potential discipline that Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson faces from the NFL bears watching in New England when considering the Patriots travel to Cleveland in Week 6. Whereas the Patriots face Arizona later in the season and won’t benefit from missing DeAndre Hopkins during his six-game suspension, there’s an element of unknown with whether they’ll see Watson.

8. Kraft’s SBJ honor: A crowd of about 1,000 is expected at the Marriott Marquis Times Square on Wednesday night, when Patriots owner Robert Kraft will join esteemed company as he is presented the Sports Business Journal Lifetime Achievement Award. Kraft is scheduled to be introduced by Meek Mill. The award goes to leaders and pioneers who have helped shape the dynamic sports industry, and past winners include Dan Rooney, Jerry Jones and Paul Tagliabue — all of whom are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. SBJ publisher and executive editor Abraham Madkour highlighted how Kraft’s background as a fan has shaped his Patriots ownership tenure.

9. Ekuale’s choice: Defensive lineman Daniel Ekuale was elevated from the Patriots’ practice squad seven times last season and provided some interior pass-rush presence. Little-known story: He considered an opportunity to join the Bills for the playoffs but elected to stay in New England on the practice squad instead. Ekuale will now vie for a roster spot at a position that includes returning starters Davon Godchaux and Lawrence Guy, along with Christian Barmore, Byron Cowart, Carl Davis and sixth-round pick Sam Roberts.

10. Did you know: The Patriots visit the Vikings on Thanksgiving, marking the first time they’ll play a game on the holiday since 2012, and the sixth time overall:

• Nov. 22, 1984 — 20-17 loss to Dallas

• Nov. 23, 2000 — 34-9 loss to Detroit (Tom Brady‘s NFL debut)

• Nov. 28, 2002 — 20-12 win against Detroit

• Nov. 25, 2010 — 45-24 win against Detroit

• Nov. 22, 2012 — 49-19 win against N.Y. Jets (Mark Sanchez butt fumble)

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — The New England Patriots are in the fourth week of their voluntary offseason program, and veteran wide receiver Nelson Agholor already notices a difference for himself.

“Everybody runs certain routes, but the route tree [here] is a little different than what I’ve ran before,” he said. “Now I know it, so I get to put my own spin on how we do things and play fast.

“Whereas a year ago, I was learning, so you do things at a certain learning tempo. You never get to go full speed, because you want to make sure you’re doing it right, so you kind of move with caution. Now I know what it looks like and I get to just put my flavor on it.”

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That flavor — for Agholor and a handful of other Patriots entering their second season in New England — figures to be a critical ingredient if coach Bill Belichick’s squad is to improve on last season’s 10-7 record and embarrassing 47-17 playoff loss to the Buffalo Bills.

The reason is obvious: Unlike last offseason, when the Patriots spent a then-record $163 million in guaranteed money in free agency, Belichick was more conservative this year and is banking on internal improvement from 2021 free agents and draft picks.

Agholor is a signature example of this thinking. He signed for two years, $22 million in March of 2021, and his production (37 receptions, 473 yards, 3 TDs) didn’t match the price tag for a variety of reasons. But he remains optimistic better days are ahead.

“The best part about it, Year 2 in the Patriots’ system is when guys really get going. I feel comfortable, I’m excited to have my best season with the Patriots and show why I’m here,” he said.

Agholor joins fellow returnees Jakobi Meyers (team-high 83 catches for 866 yards, 2 TDs) and Kendrick Bourne (55 for 800, 5 TDs) atop the receiver depth chart, with veteran trade acquisition DeVante Parker and speedy second-round pick Tyquan Thornton completing the top five.

Second-year jumps aren’t guaranteed, and plenty of players serve as reminders that it can go in the opposite direction — receiver N’Keal Harry, cornerback Joejuan Williams, tight end Devin Asiasi, and linebackers Josh Uche, Chase Winovich and Anfernee Jennings are a few who come to mind.

With Agholor as a springboard, here are other players acquired in 2021 who the Patriots need to make a significant second-year jump:

Tight end Jonnu Smith: He signed for four years, $50 million and finished with just 28 receptions for 294 yards and a touchdown last season. He made a significant change in hopes of a rebound, becoming a full-time participant in the voluntary offseason program. He wasn’t in the program last year, in part due to expecting the birth of his daughter, and COVID-19 considerations.

QB Mac Jones: The 15th overall pick finished second in Associated Press Offensive Rookie of the Year voting, so his “jump” slots into a different category — leadership. Jones already seems to be embracing it, and is more comfortable in doing things like opening his home to teammates on the first night of the draft and having a Hibachi chef on hand. Said owner Robert Kraft in late March: “I actually believe [Jones] has a little more edge than we’ve seen. But he’s been respectful.”

Linebacker Cameron McGrone: When the Patriots selected the Michigan standout in the fifth round, they knew he probably wouldn’t play as a rookie as he recovered from a torn left ACL suffered in his final college season. McGrone did return to practice by the end of last season (he wasn’t activated to the roster), and inside linebackers coach Jerod Mayo might have had him on his mind when he was asked on the “Pats from the Past” podcast about fewer three-down linebackers coming out of college. Said Mayo: “We have some guys who can rush and cover, some guys that Pats Nation hasn’t even heard of.”

Linebacker Ronnie Perkins: The third-round pick from Oklahoma (96th overall) didn’t appear in a single game, in part because Matthew Judon and Kyle Van Noy were entrenched atop the outside linebacker depth chart. He was often spotted before games working on pass-rush technique with director of skill development Joe Kim, and now has a clearer path to a role after the team released Van Noy (Chargers) … if he proves he deserves it.

Cornerback Shaun Wade: The Ohio State alum was selected in the fifth round by the Ravens, and the Patriots traded for him at the end of the preseason, giving up a 2022 seventh-round pick and a 2023 fifth-rounder. But the 6-foot-1, 191-pound Wade played in just three games, in part due to injury, but also because of a learning curve after arriving so late. Cornerbacks coach Mike Pellegrino made the point last season that Wade was essentially learning a new language. The Patriots have a notable void at cornerback after J.C. Jackson‘s free-agent departure, and Wade will compete for it.

Linebacker Raekwon McMillan: The veteran was coming on strong in training camp last year before tearing his left ACL and missing the season. Given his injury history, banking on him over the course of a 17-game season comes with notable risk. Last year before the injury, Belichick had said: “I’ve been very impressed with his intelligence, his work ethic. He’s locked in every day.”

Safety Joshuah Bledsoe: A sixth-round pick from Missouri, he arrived in town with an injured wrist and spent most of the year rehabbing before returning to practice late in the season. He never appeared in a game. If healthy, he has a legitimate chance to be part of the team’s future based on some promising behind-the-scenes development.

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The New York Giants got worse this week when they released cornerback James Bradberry. Their secondary now has just two proven starters — cornerback Adoree’ Jackson and safety Xavier McKinney — and a slew of question marks.

Bradberry was the team’s top cornerback, but general manager Joe Schoen needed money to sign his rookie class and operate throughout the season. The Giants had just under $7 million in salary-cap space prior to the move, according to the Roster Management System. That wouldn’t have been enough to get their 11-man draft class signed.

“I like the kid. I like the skill set,” Schoen said before the team released Bradberry. “It’s just the situation we’re in from a financial standpoint. … People say, ‘Why don’t you cut or trade him?’ Then there’s a huge void.”

A huge void, it is.

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This was always the expected outcome. Bradberry was on the last year of his contract and set to make $13.5 million, which made him hard to trade. The Houston Texans reportedly had interest, but weren’t able to reach an agreement on a new deal with the 2020 Pro Bowler. Bradberry knew the Giants needed to unload his contract, and why wouldn’t he rather be cut (preferably before free agency in March than after the draft in May), allowing him to choose his next team?

So, here we are in mid-May with Bradberry looking for a new team and the Giants also in a difficult situation. Defensive coordinator Don “Wink” Martindale is left with a secondary that has 107 career starts combined. By comparison, Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Darius Slay has 124 career starts.

The departure of Bradberry also thrusts Jackson into the No. 1 cornerback spot. The Giants reworked his contract to create cap space by moving almost $6 million of his cap hit into future years, and he could be asked to match up with receivers such as A.J. Brown (Eagles), CeeDee Lamb (Cowboys) or Terry McLaurin (Commanders) twice a season in Martindale’s defense, which traditionally calls for a lot of man-to-man coverage. That will be asking a lot of Jackson, who lacks ideal size (5-foot-11, 185 pounds) and has minimal experience working out of the slot, where Lamb and McLaurin thrive.

Jackson and McKinney have at least proven to be solid starters, and McKinney has the potential to keep ascending following a strong second season in which he was Pro Football Focus’ 15th-ranked safety with a 75.4 grade.

Alongside McKinney at safety is Julian Love and fourth-round pick Dane Belton. Love has been versatile, playing safety and cornerback over his first three seasons. But can he handle a full-time role without being exposed?

No matter who starts at safety, the biggest question in the secondary is who will fill the Bradberry void across from Jackson? As it stands, the Giants will choose from among several young options:

Aaron Robinson: It is clear the new regime thinks highly of last year’s third-round pick. “He’s definitely going to be competing for a starting job,” Schoen said on draft weekend. Robinson started his rookie season slowly because of core muscle surgery in the spring. But his role expanded late in the season, when he appeared to get more comfortable. This is a big opportunity for him. He’s the early favorite to start opposite Jackson.

Rodarius Williams: The previous regime was also high on Williams. But he tore the ACL in his right knee last season, so it could take him some time to return to previous form. It’s hard to count on much from last year’s sixth-round pick early this season.

Jarren Williams: The former undrafted rookie impressed when given opportunities last season. He’s a physical player (which might endear him to Martindale), but at 5-11, pairing him with Jackson could be troublesome. Williams seems more suited for a backup role.

Darnay Holmes: He finally put it together midway through last season before a rib injury forced him to miss the final six weeks. But Holmes (5-10, 195) seems like a better fit for the slot.

Cordale Flott: The Giants have already said they view their third-round pick this year as more of a slot corner as well. Maybe Flott (6-1, 175), who turns 21 in August, can grow into something more, but at this point it seems unrealistic to expect him to seriously compete for a starting spot on the outside.

The Giants are also expected to add an inexpensive veteran or two in the secondary. Cornerback Jimmy Smith, a former Ravens starter, is a name to watch given his connection to Martindale. Among the remaining free agents at safety, Jaquiski Tartt, Tashaun Gipson, or dare we say, Landon Collins (the Giants’ second-round pick in 2015) would give New York another starting-caliber option. Or maybe Schoen can swing a trade for Ravens veteran backup Chuck Clark, who is familiar with Martindale’s scheme.

After releasing Bradberry, it seems something needs to be done to bolster New York’s secondary.

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Quick-hit thoughts and notes around the New England Patriots and NFL:

1. Taking it to the house: This promises to be the best Mother’s Day ever for Luisa Turner. A gift of a lifetime by her son, Patriots receiver Kendrick Bourne, makes it so.

Turner will spend the day in her new home in Oregon, which Bourne purchased for his parents just a few weeks ago.

While it is much bigger than their prior two-bedroom, one-bathroom residence — and has everything from a basketball court to a hot tub and sauna — it’s what that space represents that means the most to Mom.

“When I walked in, it just felt like home. I could see my life — my grandchildren here, my kids here,” she said. “It warms my heart that he did this for his family.”

Bourne, who has three siblings, had told his parents, Luisa and Eric, of his dream to buy them a home. He asked them to explore different possibilities and let him know what they found.

That’s when he decided to add a playful twist to it all.

When Luisa told him this was the one, Bourne relayed that he spoke with the realtor and they might not be able to close the deal based on another offer. So he identified a different house for them to consider.

Luisa was appreciative, of course, but the location of the second option wasn’t as preferable because it wasn’t as close to Kendrick’s Oregon residence.

Ultimately, Kendrick brought his parents back to the original house and handed them a floor mat that read “Home Sweet Home.” The house was theirs.

“That’s when I burst out in excitement,” Luisa said. “Since he was a baby, he’s been something else!”

Bourne’s sense of humor, and positive demeanor, have been staples with the Patriots since he signed a three-year contract worth a maximum of $22 million in March of 2021. His hard work as a football player — elevating from undrafted out of Eastern Washington in 2017, to hooking on with the San Francisco 49ers, and then to the Patriots — set the stage for his gift to his parents.

“He’s just a great son — a golden child,” Luisa said. “I tell him that all the time.”

2. O’Brien on hand: Bill Belichick previously said the Patriots’ coaching staff was likely complete, but that doesn’t mean visitors won’t be welcomed at various times — and Belichick’s network is deep. Along those lines, players took note of current Alabama offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien on the field at Gillette Stadium last week at the voluntary offseason program. O’Brien, of course, has deep roots in New England as a former Belichick assistant.

3. Groh at Shrine Bowl: Eric Galko, the director of football operations and player personnel for the Shrine Bowl, pointed out that the Patriots tied for the NFL high (with the Titans) by drafting four Shrine Bowl players.

The players are receiver Tyquan Thornton (second round), cornerback Jack Jones (fourth round), running back Pierre Strong Jr. (fourth round) and defensive tackle Sam Roberts (sixth round). While it might have been a coincidence, the presence of New England director of personnel Matt Groh throughout Shine Bowl week was notable to Galko.

“He was one of the longest-staying executives, there for at least four days,” he said. “One of the things we added this year was a lot of formal interview time. Most all-star games have 8 to 10 hours of interview time with players, sometimes up until 11 o’clock at night. Not for us. We had 24 hours of available interview time, all structured throughout the day.

“I think for executives like Matt, who were there and took advantage, they probably got a lot of good character and background feedback, for sure.”

4. Jones’ character: Jones, the fourth-round pick from Arizona State who began his career at USC, was arrested for breaking into a restaurant in 2018. A plea agreement reduced the initial felony charges to a second-degree misdemeanor charge of commercial burglary. In 2020, he was also suspended at Arizona State for fighting during practice. Teams had to investigate those issues while scouting Jones. Galko, who says he got to talk with Jones at Arizona State before inviting him to the Shrine Bowl, vouches for him.

“I think a lot of people see the one incident he had as an 18-year-old kid at USC, and [assume] that’s who he is. It’s really important, when assessing character for a player, [to consider] it’s not about what the player has done before but what they may do in the future. Is that past behavior predictive? …[Jones] made a mistake, he owns it, and it isn’t something he glosses over.”

5. Lofty comparison: While acknowledging he has a vested interest in Jones’ success as a Shrine Bowl alum, Galko, who previously founded Optimum Scouting and was a head personnel executive for the XFL, compared his potential to some of the draft’s top-rated cornerbacks.

“His ball skills, timing and reaction makes him special. I think in terms of pure man coverage ability, Ahmad Gardner, Derek Stingley Jr., he’s in that … ‘upside’ category,” he said.

Gardner went fourth overall to the New York Jets, one pick after Stingley was selected by the Houston Texans. Jones was selected 121st, and some draft analysts believe that was early.

If Jones delivers at the level Gardner and Stingley project to as top-5 picks, that would be quite a story in New England.

6. Thanks, mom! In an interview with the Patriots’ in-house media, Thornton, the second-round pick who ran a 4.28 time in the 40-yard dash at the NFL combine, (fourth best for a receiver since 2006) credited his blazing speed to his mother, Latasha Jackson. Thornton said she was always the fastest in her class. A perfect Mother’s Day note, indeed.

7. Strong report: One NFL scout projects Strong, the running back from South Dakota State, to follow in the footsteps of James White, Shane Vereen and Kevin Faulk in terms of his role. “He is a pure speed, third-down back,” the scout said, adding that he hoped to see more toughness from Strong at times. “He didn’t dominate enough at the end of this year when they were making their playoff push to make me say ‘This is the guy.’ But he definitely has talent. Catches the ball. He’s got traits, the production is good, but one question I had is why were they alternating him during the playoffs against Montana State?”

8. Schedule preview: The NFL releases its 2022 regular-season schedule on Thursday night, which will pair the much-anticipated when to the already-known against whom. One of the first thoughts last week, when it was announced receiver DeAndre Hopkins is suspended for the first six games of the season, was if the Patriots might catch a break with an early-season date at Arizona. Ditto with a road game against Cleveland, with the possibility that quarterback Deshaun Watson faces an early-season suspension.

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Patriots 2022 opponents solidified:

🏈Home: Ravens, Bengals, Colts, Bears, Lions, Bills, Dolphins, Jets

🏈Away: Browns, Steelers, Raiders, Packers, Vikings, Cardinals, Bills, Dolphins, Jets

— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) January 10, 2022

9. Older draft class: Patriots first-round pick Cole Strange turns 24 in July, and fellow rookies Thornton (22 in August), Marcus Jones (24 in October), Jack Jones (25 in December), Strong (24 in December), and Bailey Zappe (just turned 23) reflect how COVID-19 made this an older NFL-wide draft class. Age wasn’t a major concern for the Patriots. “Once you start getting to some of these older players, it’s a factor that you keep in mind, and I think the position plays a factor in that,” Groh said. “But I don’t think there’s that big of a difference between some of those age groups that we’re talking about.”

10. Did you know? The Patriots selected seven offensive players in the 2022 draft, the most of any team in the NFL, and their most in a draft under Belichick, according to ESPN Stats & Information.

MIAMI — The Miami Dolphins had four picks in this year’s NFL draft, including just one in the first three rounds. But in the third round (102nd overall), they grabbed a player who is an ideal fit for their defensive scheme.

Georgia linebacker Channing Tindall flew somewhat under the radar playing on a defense that included linebackers Nakobe Dean and Quay Walker. In fact, he was the ninth of the Bulldogs’ record 15 players selected this past weekend.

Despite the star power around him, the Dolphins never lost sight of Tindall throughout the pre-draft process.

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“He was a player that we had been targeting throughout the process,” general manager Chris Grier said. “We met with him in Indianapolis [at the NFL combine] and really enjoyed our time with him. We brought him down here on a [top] 30 visit, spent a lot of time with him here as well. For us, it’s the versatility, the speed is what we like. He can play, he has the ability to play all three downs and play special teams, as well.

“In talking to [Georgia coach] Kirby Smart the other day again about him, he was just talking about what tremendous speed and toughness and the character of the kid and how Kirby really loved [Tindall] and thinks he’s going to be a really good player in the NFL.”

After playing sparingly in his first three seasons with the Bulldogs, Tindall turned in his best collegiate season as a senior in 2021, posting 67 tackles, 5.5 sacks and 7.5 tackles for loss.

He called his uptick in production the result of extra time spent with Georgia linebackers coach Glenn Schumann, and a renewed mentality entering the season.

“I just took extra time and watched film with him. I feel like I knew what I had to do,” Tindall said. “I was on a mission before the season started … like I have to get this done. I would say the biggest thing is probably just my mindset. My mindset was do or die.”

How Tindall was used last season helps in deciphering what his role with the Dolphins will be, particularly as a rookie. Grier said Georgia took advantage of Tindall’s 4.47 speed in the 40-yard dash, using him as a pass-rusher, quarterback spy and in coverage.

Miami blitzed on 38% of its opponents’ dropbacks last season, the second-highest rate in the NFL. That type of aggression is why Tindall feels his skill set perfectly suits his new team.

“The way they use their linebackers is different,” he said. “They use their linebackers everywhere. They put them on the edge sometimes, they put them on the line, they put them at Mike, Will. They are very versatile and I feel like I fit into it.”

As enticing as his skill set is, Tindall’s shortest path to early playing time will come on special teams, where Grier said he expects him to contribute. He will compete with Elandon Roberts, Duke Riley and Brennan Scarlett for defensive reps at inside linebacker, but his ability to cover sideline to sideline sets him apart. He is likely to be worked into the Dolphins’ rotation as soon as he grasps the scheme.

Miami also added an outside linebacker in the seventh round, Cameron Goode, who has an uphill battle to crack the initial 53-man roster but could sneak into the team’s pass-rush rotation with a strong summer camp.

With only four picks to work with and an unwillingness to part with any of its five picks in the first three rounds of next year’s draft, the Dolphins had to take what they could get, whichever way the board fell.

They left their facility Saturday thrilled with the way it did.

“You want to feel good about the players that you add,” coach Mike McDaniel said. “The bottom line is that we need some Miami Dolphins that our locker room can embrace and that can make the players that we have better and make the team better.

“That’s what we did and we feel great about that.”

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — The New England Patriots‘ rookie class has been widely panned by draft analysts, with some scouts and executives across the NFL also sharing their viewpoint with ESPN that first-round pick Cole Strange and second-rounder Tyquan Thornton went earlier than their teams had anticipated.

“I just don’t think they got value with their first two picks this year,” ESPN senior draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. wrote.

Fellow ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay echoed those thoughts, calling the Strange pick “eyebrow-raising” while noting he was his 77th-rated prospect overall.

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Jordan Reid, another ESPN draft analyst, rated Strange a third-round pick.

While everyone expressed respect for longtime coach Bill Belichick, and acknowledged that he could ultimately have the last laugh, the Patriots’ early draft work — and how it didn’t align with the boards of draft analysts or other teams — became a topic of discussion in some NFL circles.

What does it really mean?

Not much now. After all, there is no shortage of examples of the Patriots being widely praised after a draft, only to later learn the class didn’t produce the expected results (here’s one random example from 2019 — an A for what now looks more like a D draft).

So much happens between when a player is selected and the three-year window that most around the NFL believe is the benchmark for when a draft can be most fairly analyzed.

How the players are coached and brought along in the system is critical. The mentality of how they take that coaching, and adjust to football as their full-time job, is equally important. Injuries are sometimes a factor.

So at this point, instead of a knee-jerk instant analysis of the Patriots’ draft class, perhaps a smarter approach is to de-emphasize the question of how they fared, and instead ask this: What did the Patriots’ draft approach say about how Bill Belichick views his team?

Here is one reporter’s take:

1. Speed deficient on offense: When you select the receiver (Thornton) and running back (Pierre Strong Jr.) who posted the fastest 40-yard dash times at the NFL combine in their respective position groups, it couldn’t be more obvious. More home run threats on offense were needed.

2. Changing of guard: One of the knocks on the selection of Strange was that the Patriots created the need by trading veteran guard Shaq Mason in March. That’s one way to look at it, but a more accurate assessment seems to be that Belichick didn’t view Mason’s performance as worthy of his salary and saw the draft as the best way to not only upgrade, but do so at a fraction of the cost. It didn’t have to be in the first round, but that’s the way it turned out.

3. Eyes on AFC East: The physical makeup and sticky-coverage/sudden playing style of third- and fourth-round cornerbacks Marcus Jones (5-foot-8, 174 pounds) and Jack Jones (5-foot-10, 171) seem like a direct response to what the Patriots face in the division — as dynamic Tyreek Hill joins Jaylen Waddle in Miami, and few Patriots could keep up with Bills pass-catchers Stefon Diggs, Isaiah McKenzie & Co., late last season — especially on deep crossing routes.

4. Still invested in young LBs: What to make of the Patriots passing on linebackers entirely? Belichick is not yet ready to give up on 2020 third-round pick Anfernee Jennings, and as director of player personnel Matt Groh said, 2021 fifth-round pick Cameron McGrone is like an “additional draft pick” after sitting out his rookie season while recovering from a torn ACL in his left knee suffered at Michigan. There’s also 2021 third-round pick Ronnie Perkins and 2020 second-rounder Josh Uche in the conversation.

5. White a wild card: Veteran running back James White said last week that he is still not cleared after having hip surgery last season. When the team drafts two running backs (Strong Jr. and Kevin Harris) despite already having Damien Harris, Rhamondre Stevenson and White on the roster, it reinforces that the team is protecting itself when it comes to White’s status.

6. Hedge on Harris’ future: Harris enters the final year of his contract in 2022, and while an extension can never be ruled out, loading up the depth chart behind him with two draft picks could foreshadow how Belichick will view any future contract talks. It marked the first time the Patriots selected two running backs in a draft since 2011 (Shane Vereen, Stevan Ridley).

7. Stidham on notice: Selecting Western Kentucky quarterback Bailey Zappe in the fourth round (No. 137) shines a spotlight on Jarrett Stidham‘s development. The 2019 fourth-round pick has not seemed to ascend and now has a real battle to make the team as a backup to Mac Jones.

8. Belief in Groh: Belichick seems to have put a lot of faith in Groh, the first-year director of player personnel and former national scout, considering he veered away from power programs on a few picks. Strange played at Tennessee-Chattanooga, fourth-rounder Strong at South Dakota State and sixth-round pick Sam Roberts at Northwest Missouri State.

9. Inner circle: As shown on Patriots.com, the Patriots have probably the smallest draft room in the NFL, with Belichick, Groh, owners Robert and Jonathan Kraft, director of scouting Eliot Wolf, pro scouting director Steve Cargile, senior football advisor Matt Patricia, college scouting director Camren Williams, director of football/head coach administration Berj Najarian and director of research Richard Miller among the selected few from the organization spotted on Day 1 of the draft. This is the leadership group Belichick has entrusted in a year of transition, with former director of player personnel Dave Ziegler having departed to become Raiders general manager.

10. Return game: After a down year on special teams, one way to bring back the mojo is to select arguably the draft’s most dynamic punt returner in the third round (Marcus Jones). Groh also said the Patriots will consider what second-round burner Thornton might contribute as well (possibly on kickoff returns). Projecting picks onto the roster is a significant part of the draft, and this was a reminder how the Patriots continue to place a significant emphasis on fourth down.

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — In a span of seven minutes on Friday evening, general manager Joe Schoen did something that should have made the New York Giants and their fans realize they finally have a chance. He traded back (twice!) before you could even blink in the second round of the 2022 NFL draft to add extra picks.

It might not sound like anything special, but it shows a level of competence the organization didn’t have as recently as the beginning of this year. In that seven minutes Schoen traded back as many times as Dave Gettleman did in nine years as general manager of the Carolina Panthers and Giants. And the two times Gettleman did trade back, sources say it was at the behest of former coach Joe Judge last year.

“We just thought it was what was best for us at this time. More picks would benefit us the most, we thought, based on who was on our board,” Schoen said Saturday. “We had deals in place before the draft started. So we were confident. We knew we could move back. That was part of the plan.”

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A plan that made sense. Again, the bar is low — perhaps below the basement — for a franchise that went 19-46 under Gettleman.

Schoen began the second round on Friday by sending Pick 36 to the New York Jets for Picks 38 and 146 (a fifth-rounder). Moments later, he moved back again, shipping No. 38 to Atlanta for No. 43 and a fourth-rounder (114). The two picks he netted by moving down seven spots became Iowa safety Dane Belton (No. 114) and Indiana linebacker Micah McFadden (No. 146).

This is how rebuilding teams are supposed to operate. Remember this in a couple of years if Belton or McFadden become starters or even consistent contributors.

We can argue about the merits of the player the Giants ended up selecting 43rd overall in the second round, Kentucky receiver Wan’Dale Robinson. Some analysts, including ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper Jr., say the diminutive wide receiver was selected too early. And the Giants might have missed out on a cornerback they liked by moving down. Auburn’s Roger McCreary went 35th to the Tennessee Titans, Washington’s Kyler Gordon went 39th to the Chicago Bears and Clemson’s Andrew Booth Jr. went 42nd to the Minnesota Vikings.

It doesn’t really matter. This Giants team, bereft of talent, got extra dart throws during the draft because of Schoen’s elasticity. Contrast that with Gettleman’s ill-fated decision during the 2019 draft to trade fourth- and fifth-round picks to move up seven spots to No. 30 for cornerback DeAndre Baker. At least two other teams told ESPN that spring that they had concerns about the Georgia prospect. Baker was placed on the commissioner’s exempt list in 2020 because of legal issues and released that September by the Giants.

Schoen’s draft résumé with the Giants is already off to a better start. He began by taking Oregon edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux fifth overall and Alabama offensive tackle Evan Neal at No. 7. Those picks were pretty much universally lauded, even if the rest of the class of 11 players was met with some skepticism. It was New York’s largest draft class since 2003.

“I don’t love the Giants’ class after their first two picks, but Thibodeaux and Neal are good enough to keep this grade on stable ground,” Kiper wrote in his explanation for giving the Giants a B grade.

Like every team’s draft class, the newest group of Giants comes with some warts. Robinson lacks ideal size at 5-foot-8, 178 pounds. Third-round guard Joshua Ezeudu, selected 67th, was ranked 151st overall by Scouts Inc., which said he lacks polish and grades out as a versatile backup with a chance to develop into a starter. And during the pre-draft process, some scouts and coaches told ESPN they view Thibodeaux as “good, but not special” — a player who isn’t very big (6-foot-4, 254 pounds) for his position and doesn’t possess any counter moves as a pass-rusher.

The reality is nobody knows whether any of the 262 players drafted this weekend will be any good. That is analysis for another day down the road. What we can judge is Schoen’s logic.

What he did throughout his first offseason and draft at least makes sense. In Gettleman’s first draft as Giants GM (2018), he selected running back Saquon Barkley No. 2 overall following a 3-13 season, trying to prop up soon-to-be-38-year-old quarterback Eli Manning.

Schoen realized he couldn’t get it all done in one swoop and began what appears to be a methodical roster overhaul. He had a realistic goal for his first draft class.

“We wanted to add depth and competition to the roster, which I think we did,” Schoen said. “Again, not every guy is going to come as a starter. It takes time. Guys have to develop. … Over time, you have to have depth players and frontline players. I think the idea was to get the best we could.

“Defensively, the guys with versatility. And offensively, as you’re around [coach] Brian [Daboll], you’ll see, he’ll take the pieces and whatever we have and develop the offensive scheme around those pieces that we have, and [defensive coordinator] Wink [Martindale] kind of adheres to the same philosophy.”

For now at least, it all sounds good. The Giants’ roster might not be in great shape at this point — look at the thin secondary — but there is reason to feel good with how they’re operating and where they seem to be going. It seems coherent rather than slapped together.

Schoen deserves most of the credit for that.

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Quick-hit thoughts and notes around the New England Patriots and NFL:

1. Relative athletic scores: The Patriots’ 2022 draft class spoke volumes about how Bill Belichick & Co. view the team’s deficiencies — specifically with a focus on speed in a game that continues to be played more in space.

Director of player personnel Matt Groh also pointed out how the Patriots have always placed a high value on toughness.

Whether the Patriots identified the right players to inject those traits into their roster will be determined in time, but how they came to the conclusion that guard Cole Strange (first round, 29th), receiver Tyquan Thornton (second round, 50th), and cornerback Marcus Jones (third round, 85th) were ideal targets was notable.

In short, the Patriots’ Class of ’22 — criticized in some circles because of the perception the team reached on players — might turn out to be the litmus test for how much stock teams should place in analytics and testing numbers when valuing players.

Relative athletic score, which grades a player’s measurements on a 0-to-10 scale compared to their peer group, is becoming more mainstream in football reporting, and the picks of Strange and Thornton provide a springboard to highlight them.

Strange, in particular, is off the charts.

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Cole Strange was drafted with pick 29 of round 1 in the 2022 draft class. He scored a 9.95 RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 7 out of 1298 OG from 1987 to 2022. https://t.co/RRKLKRSIJK #RAS #Patriots pic.twitter.com/FxExB6k1sR

— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) April 29, 2022

When his measurements and testing numbers are compared to others at guard since 1987, he ranks seventh out of 1,298 prospects.

“He’s almost 6-[foot]-5, 300 pounds and runs sub-5 seconds in the 40 [-yard dash]. Benched 225 [pounds] 31 times. There’s not a lot of humans out there that are doing that,” Groh said Friday night.

Meanwhile, Thornton’s 4.28 time in the 40-yard dash is the fourth fastest by a receiver at the NFL combine since 2006.

Thornton’s relative athletic score is also promising, ranking 405th out of 2,785 receivers from 1987 to 2022. The speed is elite.

The trend continued on Saturday in the fourth round when the Patriots selected South Dakota State running back Pierre Strong Jr., whose 4.37 time in the 40-yard dash at the combine was tied for the fastest among running backs. Strong also had a high relative athletic score, with elite speed.

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Tyquan Thornton was drafted with pick 50 of round 2 in the 2022 draft class. He scored a 8.55 RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 405 out of 2785 WR from 1987 to 2022. https://t.co/rVWTfUMA2a #RAS #Patriots pic.twitter.com/w79vj8MnBm

— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) April 30, 2022

Of course, projecting traits has long been a part of scouting. Relative athletic scores don’t play football on Sundays, and Strange, Thornton & Co., wouldn’t be Patriots if they hadn’t already transferred some of their unique athletic gifts to the field as football players.

But their elite testing numbers, and how the Patriots now project those to the NFL relative to the other 31 teams when assessing value, was an obvious storyline of note.

2. Why not McDuffie? It is often said that a team’s draft is best assessed after at least three years have passed, and with the Patriots’ 2022 class, a top player to watch will be cornerback Trent McDuffie. Had the Patriots stayed at the 21st pick overall and taken McDuffie instead of trading down to 29, they’d likely be getting a lot of “attaboys” for their work in filling a top need with a player who wasn’t expected to be available.

So why didn’t they?

One NFL scout pointed to McDuffie’s shorter-than-ideal arm length (29 3/4) as a possible reason the Patriots didn’t race to turn in their card — especially since they have traditionally preferred to play press-man coverage on the outside (where some view arm length as critical). Weighing that against the value the Patriots received to trade down (getting a solid haul of third- and fourth-round picks), they took the trade, knowing there was a small handful of players (including Strange) they were comfortable selecting at 29.

3. Thornton’s speed: In selecting Thornton, the fastest wide receiver in the 2022 draft, the Patriots might have had this statistic on the mind — New England receivers ranked 25th in the NFL in separation on deep balls last year. They had only 1.6 yards of separation on throws 20-plus yards downfield, per ESPN metrics powered by NFL Next Gen Stats.

At the same time, one point Groh made is that the team views Thornton as more than just a burner running down the field. “This isn’t just a linear guy. You see him really be able to get off the line,” he said. “And for as fast as he is, to be able to see him get in the red zone and do some things, it’s not just speed, it’s 6-2, ability to get up and really pluck the ball out of the air.”

Longtime NFL tape analyst Greg Cosell, of ESPN’s NFL Matchup Show, had highlighted Thornton as a receiver worthy of more attention before the draft.

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Here’s @gregcosell on new #Patriots WR Tyquan Thornton. “He may be along w/Jameson Williams the most vertically explosive player in the class. Speed consistently showed up on tape..refinement to his game when beating press..reminds me a lot of Chris Olave but tougher.” #ForeverNE pic.twitter.com/frmnDGLPOO

— Nik Athans (@NewEnglandNik) April 30, 2022

4. Early returns: The Patriots naturally hope Thornton and Jones develop into front-line options at receiver and cornerback, respectively, but not to be overlooked is their more immediate opportunity of helping the team in the return game. Thornton’s blazing speed could be a factor as a kickoff returner (he only returned eight kickoffs in college), and Jones is a top candidate to fill the void left by top punt returner Gunner Olszewski‘s departure. Over the past two seasons, Jones had 711 punt return yards and 12 punt returns of 12-plus yards — both the most in the Football Bowl Subdivision. In 2021, the Patriots ranked No. 18 in the NFL in kickoff return average (21.8 yards) and No. 6 in punt return average (11.3 yards).

5. Picks in 2023: A Friday night trade in which the Patriots gave up their late third-round pick (94) in exchange for Carolina’s late fourth-rounder (137) and a 2023 third-rounder showed how Belichick — with rock-solid job security — is often thinking ahead. The 2023 third-rounder essentially replaces what the Patriots previously traded for veteran receiver DeVante Parker. So when accounting for compensatory draft picks, and prior picks acquired from the Rams (Sony Michel) and Panthers (Stephon Gilmore), the Patriots have 2023 picks in the following rounds: 1, 2, 3, 3, 4, 4, 6, 6, 6, 7.

6. Don’t forget McGrone: In what was viewed by many as a deep inside linebacker class, the Patriots stayed away from it entirely in the draft. While it’s always dangerous to say that’s a direct correlation to how the Patriots view the linebackers already on the roster, Groh highlighted second-year player Cameron McGrone (2021 fifth round) as “kind of an additional draft pick” after not playing his rookie 2021 season while recovering from a torn ACL suffered at Michigan. Add in trade acquisition Mack Wilson and the re-signing of Ja’Whaun Bentley, and Groh said there’s a level of internal excitement with the linebackers. Also, safety Jabrill Peppers projects to play more in the box in certain packages, and fellow safeties Adrian Phillips and Kyle Dugger can as well.

7. Mac elevating: Strange said he received a welcome text message from quarterback Mac Jones, who invited him to dinner at Davio’s Northern Italian Steakhouse on Friday. A native of Tennessee who was making his first trip to New England, Strange said the gesture made him feel like he was home.

Jones’ invitation reflects what some teammates relay has been evolving behind the scenes, with Jones showing increasing comfort stepping into a leadership role while also letting his own personality come out.

“He’s a great guy and just as funny,” center David Andrews told season-ticket members at the team’s annual draft party Thursday. “He also loves playing this game. He loves the grind of this game. The preparation. He’s such a smart guy. Being an undrafted guy, there’s not a lot of pressure on you. Being a first-round quarterback, I can’t imagine the pressure. And I can’t say enough about how he handled it.”

8. White not cleared: When the Patriots take the field for voluntary offseason workouts this month, veteran running back James White (hip) likely won’t be participating. White said at the draft party: “I still have a little while to go [after] a pretty rough injury.” If third-year running back J.J. Taylor wants to make a decisive move to show he’s ready for the role, he has a golden opportunity this spring.

9. Brooks covers Texas: Groh, the Patriots’ director of player personnel whose fire and passion percolated late Friday night in his media Q&A, classily highlighted the work of area scout Alex Brooks after the Patriots selected players from Texas-based schools in Thornton (Baylor) and Marcus Jones (Houston). Brooks, entering his fifth season with the Patriots, covers Texas as part of his broader Southwest responsibilities. He played football himself at West Virginia (2013-16), and spent the spring of 2018 coaching at John Carroll University before joining the Patriots’ personnel department.

10. Did you know? Strange, whose full name is Devin Cole Strange, is the first player from UT-Chattanooga to be drafted since offensive lineman Corey Levin went in the sixth round in 2017. Strange tops Terrell Owens (89th in 1996) as the highest-ever Moc drafted into the NFL, and is the second UT-Chattanooga player drafted by the Patriots. Running back Marrio Grier (sixth round 1996) was the other.

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The joke about the New York Giants being in [checks notebook] Year 10 of their offensive line rebuild is no longer funny. It is downright scary.

The Giants have been trying for a decade to get their offensive line back in order after it disintegrated following their win in Super Bowl XLVI. In the 2013 draft they began trying to restock the unit with the selection of Syracuse offensive lineman Justin Pugh in the first round (19th overall).

It continues into next week’s 2022 NFL draft, with the Giants scheduled to select fifth and seventh overall (April 28-30 on ESPN, ABC and ESPN App). Coach Brian Daboll said last month during the NFL’s annual meeting that the Giants are “looking to add” to the position, and it has been widely speculated that if the Giants keep both first-round selections, one will be an offensive tackle. That is what ESPN’s Todd McShay projects in his latest mock draft with Mel Kiper Jr.

“That’s an important spot,” Daboll added.

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There are strong tackle options near the top of the draft. If you want NC State’s Ikem Ekwonu (6-foot-4, 310 pounds), Alabama’s Evan Neal (6-8, 337), Mississippi State’s Charles Cross (6-5, 307) or Northern Iowa’s Trevor Penning (6-7, 325), it will need to be within the top 12 to 15 picks, one source predicted.

It makes sense. Offensive tackle is a premium position, and there are a lot of line-needy teams.

As of right now, the Giants have Andrew Thomas, the No. 4 overall pick in 2020, entrenched at left tackle. The unproven Matt Peart, Matt Gono and Korey Cunningham are the top options on the right side. It seems a lock that a highly regarded rookie will be added to the mix with one of the Giants’ five picks in the top 81 selections.

A survey of 13 evaluators ranging from general managers to scouts to coaches to personnel executives to draft analysts saw a clear gap between the top tackles. Neal received seven first-place votes and Ekwonu had six. But Cross did sneak in four second-place votes, and one executive considered him the best left tackle in the draft.

Neal is considered the prospect with the least risk. He’s “athletic, strong” and can be plugged in immediately on the left or right side according to one offensive line evaluator. Perhaps the lone knock is that he’s doesn’t always keep his feet while attempting to climb to the second level of the defense, something that can be rectified with more experience.

Ekwonu is considered an “elite run-blocker,” according to multiple sources. He improved his pass blocking enough this past season that he’s believed to be in the running to be the No. 1 overall pick by the Jacksonville Jaguars. And almost half the evaluators thought enough of his pass blocking that they ranked him as the top tackle in a good tackle draft.

Some with the Giants are especially high on Cross, according to multiple sources. The question is how much input they will have in this year’s draft. Giants GM Joe Schoen was hired in January in the middle of the evaluation season, and like most new GMs who inherit an entire scouting department he’s expected to make changes to his staff after the draft.

Cross is the “best pure pass-protector in the draft,” according to longtime O-line scouting and development consultant Duke Manyweather. Cross trains with Manyweather, but it’s a statement that was backed by several scouts who studied the first-team All-SEC tackle.

In a way, Cross makes the most sense for the Giants.

“Athletically, he’s got everything you need,” one scout said.

Manyweather insists Cross can play on the left or right side, even though he played exclusively at left tackle for Mississippi State. This is important for the Giants with Thomas on their roster. He had a strong 2021 season at left tackle, and it would make more sense for any newcomer to plug in on the right side.

Schoen has said the Giants are willing to trade back, likely with their eyes on adding some 2023 draft capital. The Carolina Panthers at No. 6 and the New Orleans Saints at Nos. 16 and 19 are tackle-needy teams the Giants must monitor closely in that scenario. The Saints in particular are said to have serious interest in Cross, according to a source.

With what the Giants are trying to do with their new offense, Cross and Neal seem like ideal fits.

“The job of an offensive lineman, particularly for our tackles, is … to be able to keep the width of the pocket … inside out, and get movement at the line of scrimmage,” Daboll said. “Those are the two main things we look for in our offensive linemen. … Some guys are better at one than the other thing, but at the end of the day, they have to be able to do both to be an effective player for us.”

The Giants are prioritizing the ability of their offensive linemen to move in their new offense. All four of the top tackles in this year’s draft do that relatively well. Penning ran the fastest 40-yard dash of the top linemen (4.89 seconds) at the NFL scouting combine. Cross has good feet, and Neal carries his weight with amazing ease.

It gives the Giants some pretty good first-round options as they work to make their line a strength again, as it was for their last Super Bowl team.