01-06-2025
NFL analyst regrades New York Giants' 2022 draft class
New York Giants general manager Joe Schoen has four drafts under his belt since taking over in 2022. His first two were received as lukewarm while his last two have been graded as successes.
CBS Sports draft analyst Pete Prisco recently did a regrade on the 2022 NFL draft, dropping his original grade from B+ to a B.
2022 Grade: B+
The Skinny: They had 11 picks and the first nine are still on the roster. That's good drafting. But the problem is they missed on their second first pick, tackle Evan Neal. He has struggled in his career after being the seventh player picked that year. They did get starters in edge Kayvon Thibodeaux, who was taken fifth overall in the draft, slot receiver Wan'Dale Robinson (second) and linebacker Micah McFadden(fifth). They also have a lot of backups from that draft who have played, including third-round offensive lineman Josh Ezeudu, who has 10 starts, corner Cor'Dale Flott (third), tight end Daniel Bellinger, who came in the fourth and defensive lineman D.J. Davidson, who was taken in the fifth.
How I did: I loved the pick of Neal, which clearly hasn't worked out. I thought he could be among the best in football. That's a whiff. I liked the class because of Neal and Thibodeaux and Robinson. I didn't like the pick of Ezeudu in the third.
New Grade: B
Advertisement
It's easy to agree with Prisco on many of his points here, especially on Evan Neal. They landed some solid talent that has already made their presence known with the club. The Giants exercised Kayvon Thibodeaux's fifth-year option but declined Neal's.
That doesn't mean Neal is done with the Giants, however. They will shift him inside to guard this season and his career could take on a different path.
Of all the picks, though, Micah McFadden is the only one that can be seen as a bargain.
This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: NFL analyst regrades Giants' 2022 draft class
