Since I have endorsed the idea, here is what it might look like
I have gone all-in on the idea that trading up to No. 1 for Miami quarterback Cam Ward is the New York Giants’ best play this offseason — even if it is not an ideal thing to have to do. So, in this week’s mock draft let’s look at a trade up to No. 1 for Ward scenario.
I am using the NFL Mock Trade Database simulator this week because, for me, it seems to present the mock realistic trade scenarios.
Round 1 (No. 1) — Cam Ward, QB, Miami
The trade:
Giants get: No. 1 overall pick (Ward)
Titans get: Picks 3 and 34 in 2025, a third-round pick in 2026
This is my draft scenario, with what I think right now is the best thing for the Giants to do. Do I think it is what the Giants would, or will, do? I am not sure about that.
It is my understanding that the Giants entered Combine week, where they got their first in-person exposure to Ward, uncertain that either Ward or Sanders deserved to be selected as high as No. 3 in the draft.
If that is indeed the case, giving up assets to select Ward is something Schoen might be loathe to do. It might, though, be something he has to do in order to make sure he comes out of the offseason with a quarterback that gives the franchise — and fan base — some hope.
Round 3 (No. 68) — T.J. Sanders, DL, South Carolina
This is a trade down with the Las Vegas Raiders. I rejected several trade offers here, the best of which was picks 4.119, 5.168 and a 2026 third-rounder from the Titans. I was, though, looking for a volume opportunity after giving up my second-round pick to get Ward. This deal doesn’t make up for losing pick No. 34, but it gives me an extra swing.
Giants get: Pick No. 68, and pick No. 144 (Round 5)
Raiders get: Pick No. 65
This pick had to come from the trenches. Without a second-round pick I felt like that was a must for a Giants team that has to spend resources on both lines this offseason.
33rd Team says:
T.J. Sanders projects as an attacking interior defender for the NFL level. There appears to be a developmental foundation for a more complete role and profile with time — he has enough length and enough punch power to align overtop of blockers and stack the point if he can be more consistent with his anchor, block recognition skills, and hand placement.
As is, he’s an absolute savage rushing the passer who should bolster an NFL team’s sub-package rush group from the jump. Sanders has played more than 150 snaps apiece in the A-gap and head-up over tackles, showing the ability to win from all kinds of angles thanks to his first step, lateral quickness, active hands, and ability to turn tight corners.
Other players considered: Marcus Mbow, OT, Purdue; Jonah Savaiinaea, iOL, Arizona; Emery Jones Jr., OT, LSU; Tate Ratledge, G, Georgia; Darien Porter, CB, Iowa State
Round 4 (No. 104) — Josaiah Stewart, Edge, Michigan
Stewart’s player comp via Lance Zierlein is Azeez Ojulari. The Giants are almost certainly going to lose Ojulari in free agency. Zierlein writes:
Stewart falls below the classic size threshold as a 3-4 outside backer, but it might not matter much. He plays with all-day aggression and thirst for contact. He’s a decisive, linear rusher with the get-off and bend to win at the top of the rush, but he turns speed into power if tackles get too light on their feet. His entries of attack are fairly predictable and he needs to diversify his moves and counters. He’s violent at all contact points but is occasionally engulfed or knocked around some by size. The instincts are average but his pursuit range and closing burst can compensate. Despite a lack of size and length, the right ingredients are in place for Stewart to become an impactful starter within his first few years in the league.
Other players considered: Darien Porter, CB, Iowa State; Charles Grant, iOL, William & Mary
Round 4 (No. 134) — Charles Grant, iOL William & Mary
A developmental piece for an offensive line in need of young talent.
33rd Team says:
Charles Grant is, despite being a fifth-year senior, a high-upside developmental choice that should warrant consideration by the end of Day 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Grant has ample potential to tap into with a leap in coaching and strength and conditioning resources. He also possesses all of the clear benchmarks of a quality starting offensive tackle at the NFL level. He has uncoachable levels of athleticism, length, and short-area explosiveness and has an NFL build that should only get better as he develops his body in a professional setting.
Expecting Grant to come in and start off the jump would be unwise, but stable organizations that ask their offensive line to play with urgency and create movement at the point of attack will give him the best opportunity to reach his potential.
Other players considered: Ollie Gordon II, RB, Oklahoma State; Malachi Moore, S, Alabama
Round 5 (No. 144) — Malachi Moore, S, Alabama
(From Raiders)
I love it when things work out this way. I had Moore and Ollie Gordon in consideration at pick No. 134. Both are still here. I selected the player I thought could compete at a position of bigger need.
33rd Team says:
Malachi Moore projects as a potential sufficient-level starter at the NFL level. Moore found more stability with his play in 2024 when moved to the back end of the Tide defense, where he spent less time in the slot than he did under Nick Saban.
Moore found ball production, consistent tackling from depth, and illustrated his sound fundamentals for the position — but does so with what appears to be a sufficient level of athleticism that could put a potential cap and limit on his ability to make impact plays.
If you can find a “sufficient level starter” in Round 5 that’s not a bad thing.
Other players considered: Ollie Gordon II, RB, Oklahoma State;
Round 5 (No. 155) — Elijah Roberts, DT, SMU
SMU is where the Giants found 2024 undrafted free agent Elijah Chatman. Roberts was at SMU in 2023 and 2024, so you can be sure that the Giants are quite familiar with the 6-foot-3, 290-pounder. Giants defensive line coach Andre Patterson loves players with “knockback” in their games. The scouting report tells you Roberts has it.
33rd Team says:
Elijah Roberts is a dense, powerful defender with the requisite length to play as a point-of-attack defender at the NFL level. He boasts some surprising versatility with his usage at SMU, being charged with rushing from a 3T to standing up and rushing from 2-point stances off the edge.
He’ll be best served as a base end to play over tackles and help generate knockback to set the edge. Roberts is a powerful player with good linear force; his hands are active and stiff. This isn’t necessarily a featured pass rush talent, but he has shown a spatial feel for creases, and SMU successfully turned him loose on stunts and as a crash defender to attack gaps.
Other players considered: Dorian Strong, CB, Virginia Tech; Ricky White, WR, UNLV
Round 7 (No. 221) — Kyle Monangai, RB, Rutgers
Could this former Scarlet Knight be a complement to Tyrone Tracy in the Giants’ backfield?
Draft Buzz says:
Kyle Monangai projects as a solid complementary back in a committee approach at the next level. His vision, toughness, and ability to grind out tough yards make him an attractive option for teams employing a power-running scheme. While he may not have the breakaway speed to be a featured back, Monangai’s well-rounded skill set and high football IQ should allow him to contribute early in his career.
With his productivity, leadership, and steady improvement trajectory, Monangai has the potential to outperform his draft position and become a valuable rotational piece in an NFL backfield.
Round 7 (No. 248) — Justin Walley, CB, Minnesota
I thought Walley was good value this late in the draft at a position I had not addressed.
NFL.com says:
Highly experienced cornerback with good size, speed and ball production. Walley has good mirror-and-match footwork in the early stages of the route but needs to trust his technique instead of using his hands in coverage so often. He keeps close tabs on quarterbacks and pounces on short throws with authority. He’s irritating at the catch point but can be bodied by big targets. He’s willing in run support but will need to improve his finishing against bigger runners. Walley played an overwhelming majority of his snaps outside, but he could be destined to slide inside due to a lack of length.
