NFL Network’s Lance Zierlein released his first mock draft on Monday and in it, he has three quarterbacks going off the board over the first five picks.
North Carolina’s Drake Maye slips to the Atlanta Falcons at No. 5 overall, just outside the reach of the New York Giants.
With the top three gun-slingers gone by the time they pick, Zierlein has the Giants landing Oregon State offensive lineman Taliese Fuaga with the sixth overall pick.
Fuaga is one of the finest pass protectors in the draft and some see him as a guard/tackle. He gives the Giants flexibility with where they’ll play Evan Neal.
As Zierlein notes, most see Fuaga as more of a guard but the NFL analyst believes he could still become a quality right tackle at the NFL level.
Beefy right tackle capable of playing at a high level despite his lack of ideal pad level and lower-body bend. Fuaga plays with a fairly aggressive disposition. He’s a one-pop blocker who struggles to clinch into his run blocks and is therefore forced to work overtime to sustain and finish. The pass protection technique is outstanding, and he possesses the athleticism to mirror and match edge-to-edge rush movements. Fuaga’s hand work is exceptional in pass pro and will need to remain so, because of his lack of desired range for recovering when beaten. A team could slide him to guard to improve its interior protection, but he’s best-suited at right tackle, where he should become a good starter.
Giants general manager Joe Schoen needs more than a versatile offensive line project at No. 6 overall. And if Fuaga is better suited inside at guard, he’s not worth of such a high pick.
