In the previous Pro Football Focus mock draft, which was released last week, the New York Giants somehow managed to land Oregon edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux.
It was the first time we had seen a major publication mocking Thibodeaux to the Giants. No others have before and none have since. But in their most recent mock, which was published on Monday morning, PFF stuck to their guns.
Once again, they have the Giants selecting Thibodeaux at No. 5 overall.
5. NEW YORK GIANTS: EDGE KAYVON THIBODEAUX, OREGON
Thibodeaux coming off the board at No. 5 might feel like a “fall,” given that he was the consensus No. 1 overall pick just a few months ago. But after learning more about the class, it makes more sense that his range falls between Pick 1 and Pick 5.
He still could very well be the first player taken in the draft, but if he’s not, there’s no guarantee he’s the next name after that. His natural gifts as a pass-rusher make him a top-five lock, but I’ll give some hope to Giants fans because I do think it could play out like this, given the talent at the top of the class and the potential team needs in the top five.
Interestingly, PFF didn’t change anything for the Giants when it came to their next pick, No. 7 overall, either. There, they stayed with Iowa offensive lineman Tyler Linderbaum.
7. NEW YORK GIANTS (VIA CHI): IOL TYLER LINDERBAUM, IOWA
Yeah, yeah, I know. “You don’t take a center this high.”
However, I genuinely think this is where Linderbaum’s range begins, and I also think there’s a chance he could be the Giants’ second selection. New general manager Joe Schoen comes over from Buffalo, where he served as assistant GM for five years. He was Brandon Beane’s right-hand man, and with 20 years of a scouting background, his voice was likely a very important one in the war room.
The Bills have honed in on the trenches in each of their last three drafts — all five of their first and second-round picks since 2019 were spent on either offensive line or defensive line.
Here, they went with a dynamic, high-ceiling pass protector at No. 5, and I bet Schoen is one of those GMs who simply says, “we’re going to draft great football players in the trenches.” Linderbaum is one of them.
There’s really not much to say here. Honestly, we think it’s admirable that PFF has stayed true to what they believe when it comes to Giants’ targets. So many others are trying to force in safeties or non-rushing linebackers or quarterbacks, and that’s simply not what the Giants need.
Thibodeaux, if he falls, and Linderbaum make sense. They’re perfect fits. And they would start for the Giants — and have an impact — on Day 1.
Follow the Giants Wire Podcast:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts
