NFL Draft Grades: Jets & Giants Getting High Praise, Marks
The reaction from pundits and scouts alike are that the New York Jets and New York Giants both did extremely well during last weekend’s NFL Draft.
The Jets got the highest marks, with many giving Gang Green and General Manager an A+. According to ESPN, “the Jets became the first team in the history of Scouts Inc., which has been evaluating prospects for ESPN.com since 2004, to select three players with a grade of 92 or better (on a 100 scale) in the same draft.” The Jets accomplished that by taking talented cornerback Amhad “Sauce” Gardner with the fourth overall pick; wide receiver Garret Wilson with the 10th overall pick, and trading back into the first round to nap defensive end Jermaine Johnson II with the 26th pick.
The Jets weren’t done taking talented Iowa State running back Breece Hall in the second round. Hall had over 1,400 yards in each of the past two seasons, and was considered by many scouts to be the top running back in this year’s draft class.
Thoughts on #Jets draft:
— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) April 30, 2022
* Grade: A
* Good value on all picks
* Picked CB2, WR2, Edge4, RB1 (based on draft order). Per many experts, Gardner, Wilson, Hall considered best at positions
* No major injury concerns, except Clemons (4th)
* Only quibble: TE (Ruckert) not a need.
We love this song. pic.twitter.com/iKnzVdnqRc
— New York Jets (@nyjets) May 2, 2022
Meanwhile the Giants made out like bandits on night one of the draft, selecting talented and talkative Oregon defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux. Thibodeaux was ranked as one of the best defensive ends in this year’s draft class. He registered 19 sacks over the course of his Oregon career. Thibodeaux is not short on confidence. He told pundits leading up to the draft that he wanted to head to New York, and has expressed supreme confidence in his abilities.
"When you're asleep, I'm working. When you wake up, I'm still working. And when the 4th quarter comes, do not get out of your seats because I'M. STILL. WORKING. Imma sleep when I'm dead"
— Giants Videos (@SNYGiants) April 29, 2022
Kayvon Thibodeaux with @mmargaux8 on the moment he was drafted & what Giants fans can expect pic.twitter.com/VKWnghtarm
That’s my guy!!! Can’t wait to rock a @kayvont Giants jersey all season long!! Let’s get to work, young man!! 👍🏾💪🏾 https://t.co/KTU2pFG3Al
— Michael Strahan (@michaelstrahan) April 29, 2022
The Giants also took offensive tackle Evan Neal from Alabama with the seventh overall pick. Neal gives Big Blue the bookend right tackle it desperately needs. Now quarterback Daniel Jones is surrounded by two former SEC tackles with Neal and left tackle Andrew Thomas (drafted last year out of Georgia). Jones is going to need all the help he can as he is in his walk year after the Giants didn’t pick up his fifth year option.
The Giants would add mostly depth pieces in later rounds of the draft, but the overall feeling is Big Blue had a really solid weekend.
What grade would you give the #Giants draft class?
— Zack Rosenblatt (@ZackBlatt) April 30, 2022
Edge Kayvon Thibodeaux
T Evan Neal
WR Wan’Dale Robinson
G Joshua Ezeudu
CB Cor’Dale Flott
TE Daniel Bellinger
S Dane Belton
LB Micah McFadden
DL DJ Davidson
G Marcus McKethan
LB Darrian Beavers
