So, go ahead and start ripping the picks. I know you will.
The time has come for me to begin what has become an annual tradition at Big Blue View of posting weekly multi-round mock drafts for the New York Giants.
I am well aware that most of you will skip right to the picks and won’t care about any of the preamble. Still, here is my annual reminder that I am not necessarily trying to be correct as I present these each week. I am trying to present scenarios, create discussion and help all of us learn about a variety of players.
As such, I will occasionally present scenarios I don’t think will actually happen. With that said, let’s get to the picks in what will be a four-round mock draft.
I am using the NFL Mock Draft Database simulator for the selections.
Round 1 (No. 3) — Cam Ward, QB, Miami
In this scenario, the Tennessee Titans take Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders at No. 1. The Cleveland Browns then pass on quarterback at No. 2, leaving Ward for the Giants.
Before we learn what happens in free agency, this is the scenario that would be the best for the Giants.
Ward is generally considered QB1 in the 2025 class. Dane Brugler of The Athletic has Ward ranked that way.
Brugler says “it became pretty clear early in the 2024 season that if an NFL team was to bet on a quarterback in this draft class, Ward would be the guy.”
The Giants need to come out of this offseason with a big-time option at the position. Here, they do. And, they don’t have to manuever the draft board to do it.
With Ward available, no other players were considered for this pick.
Round 2 (No. 34) — Walter Nolen, DT, Mississippi
After quarterback, the Giants simply MUST get back to prioritizing building the trenches in the draft. It would also, of course, be a good idea to get those picks right. I fully intend to prioritize the trenches in every mock draft I put together leading up to the draft.
If GM Joe Schoen wants to save his job — and Brian Daboll’s — getting back to building from the inside out is highly recommended.
I don’t know if Nolen will last this long in the real draft, but if he does it would be awfully difficult to let him go by.
Brugler says:
With his length and surge off the ball, Nolen creates immediate force and can be a play-wrecker because of how quickly he penetrates gaps.
33rd Team says Nolen “projects as an impact starter at the NFL level by the end of his rookie contract.”
The Giants have to get help for Dexter Lawrence. Schoen has never used a premium draft pick on the defensive tackle spot. It’s time for that to change.
Other players considered:
There were a LOT of players to choose from here. Among them:
Josh Conerly, OT, Oregon; Benjamin Morrison, CB, Notre Dame; Shavon Revel Jr., CB, East Carolina; Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina; Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon; Donovan Jackson, G, Ohio State; Grey Zabel, IOL, North Dakota State; Azareye’h Thomas, CB, Florida State; Jonah Savaiinaea, IOL, Arizona
Round 3 (No. 65) — Xavier Watts, S, Notre Dame
The way the board falls here it is tempting to double up on defensive linemen with either Deone Walker of Kentucky or T.J. Sanders of South Carolina. I will take a more ‘spread the wealth’ approach and get safety Tyler Nubin and new defensive backs coach Marquand Manuel some much-needed help.
Here is the scouting overview on Watts from 33rd Team:
Notre Dame Fighting Irish safety Xavier Watts is a ball-hawking defender on the back end who boasts elite ball skills and game-changing playmaking. His background as a wide receiver appears to have well-positioned him to recognize route combinations and anticipate the eyes and decisions of opposing quarterbacks.
He’s explosive, a striking tackler, and shows a good appetite for defending the run in addition to his responsibilities in coverage. This profiles as an early starter, and assuming he continues to master his craft after a collegiate switch to safety, he is a likely impact starter and potential roster cornerstone. Watts has the feet, burst, and length to ensure he’s contesting throws in a similar fashion at the next level.
Brugler says “the size-speed traits might be average, but Watts is consistently in the right place at the right time.”
As I think about Watts, I am reminded of how much I was enamored with safeties Kyle Hamilton and Brian Branch in the buildup to their draft years. Neither had the phenomenal athletic profile. Both have turned out to be really good.
Other players considered:
Deone Walker, DT, Kentucky; T.J. Sanders, DT, South Carolina; Elijah Arroyo, TE, Miami (FL); Darien Porter, CB, Iowa State; Tate Ratledge, G, Georgia
Round 4 (No. 104) — Jordan Phillips, DT, Maryland
The way the board worked out here, there weren’t any interior offensive linemen, cornerbacks or even wide receivers who really thrilled me.
Picking the 6-foot-3, 318-pound Phillips — and thus doubling down on the defensive tackle spot — is both working to fix a problem and connecting dots.
The Giants love to select players from All-Star games with whom they have worked closely. Phillips was a standout player for the West team in the 2025 East-West Shrine Bowl. Giants defensive coordinator Shane Bowen was that team’s head coach, and linebackers coach John Egorugwu was the defensive coordinator. So, they got a great look at Phillips.
Brugler has Phillips ranked No. 73 on his Big Board:
“Young, explosive and powerful is a great place to start for a defensive tackle prospect, and that is exactly what Phillips has to offer. He often negates those traits by being late off the snap and losing leverage, but NFL teams will gladly bet on the talent.”
33rd Team also offered a promising report:
Maryland Terrapins defensive tackle Jordan Phillips projects as an athletic starting nose tackle at the NFL level. This is a young talent who, as a redshirt sophomore, posted impressive tape as a point-of-attack defender with lateral range and the anchor ability to hold the point and protect his linebackers.
There’s enough athletic upside with Phillips to warrant consideration for a long-term role that is more diverse and impactful on passing downs, too. He has a good first step and heavy hands that can create momentum for power rushes back into the lap of the quarterback. Phillips is built squatty and low to the ground, which affords him ample natural leverage to anchor double teams. He also shows good technique in dropping a knee and eating combo blocks to clog the interior.
Other players considered:
Jaylin Noel, WR, Iowa State; Savion Williams, WR, TCU; Tez Johnson, WR, Oregon; Dorian Strong, CB, Virginia Tech
Round 4 (No. 134) — Quincy Riley, CB, Louisville
This board fell weirdly. I was hoping to find offensive line value here, and didn’t find anything I felt made it worth passing on a potentially useful cornerback.
This came down to a choice between Riley and Virginia Tech cornerback Dorian Strong. I took Riley for a couple of reasons. I like his profile as a fit for Bowen’s defense. Also, Riley was a standout for the National Team at the Senior Bowl, which was coached by Mike Kafka.
Draft Network says:
Quincy Riley is an instinctive and physical corner who is best inside the contact window or at depth in zone coverage, where his ball skills, awareness, and intelligence are consistently evident. Riley possesses the physical attributes desirable in a modern perimeter corner with good length, as well. His height allows him to match up well with larger receivers, while his fluid lower half can stick with shiftier, smaller pass-catchers … Riley touts significant upside in his skill set due to his blend of ball skills, fundamental coverage ability, and alignment versatility.
I am not thrilled with coming away empty-handed on the offensive line through four rounds. If I played this out through seven rounds I would be sure to grab at least one, perhaps two, developmental offensive linemen.
