With the No. 146 overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft, the New York Giants select Indiana linebacker Micah McFadden.
Linebacker depth — especially inside — was another key need for the Giants entering the draft. Many expected them to address the position earlier in the draft and to a degree, they did. Kayvon Thibodeaux will play outside at times, but will be moved all over.
McFadden is unlikely to earn a starting spot out of college, but can be developed into functional piece over time. In all likelihood, his early contributions will come on special teams.
Here is what NFL Network draft guru Lance Zierlein had to say about McFadden:
Undersized inside linebacker with adequate diagnose quickness and downhill trigger. His passivity and indecisiveness against Iowa and Ohio State, in particular, seemed out of place relative to the rest of his tape. He’s very average in the athleticism and speed departments but is well-prepared and exploits soft spots in blocking schemes to make impact tackles behind the line of scrimmage. He’s unable to challenge blocks and constrict gaps as a thumper, but he’s tough. McFadden has Day 3 value as a backup inside linebacker with core special teams potential.
It may not be the splash the Giants had hoped for at the position, but depth and competition is always a positive.
McFadden joins an inside group that consists of Blake Martinez, Tae Crowder and others.
