Giants work the board perfectly in Mel Kiper's latest mock draft
The Giants are approaching the 2023 NFL draft with needs on both offense and defense, and specific positions like interior offensive lineman and cornerback being glaring holes on the current roster. Scheduled to select at pick 17 of the first round and pick 57 of the second, the Giants will look to add two prospects […]
The Giants are approaching the 2023 NFL draft with needs on both offense and defense, and specific positions like interior offensive lineman and cornerback being glaring holes on the current roster.
Scheduled to select at pick 17 of the first round and pick 57 of the second, the Giants will look to add two prospects capable of being suitable starters, as early as their rookie year.
Well, in Mel Kiper's latest two-round mock draft for ESPN, he not only addresses these positions but does so with two names that will be day-one contributors come the fall.
DJ Turner, CB, Michigan (17)
Turner is a very special athlete, one that can carry any receiver with ease thanks to his elite speed and athletic measurables.
At 5'11 and 178 pounds, what Turner lacks in size, he makes up for in speed, evident by his combine best, 4.26 40-yard dash and equally impressive 1.47 10-yard split.
Turner currently sits 58th on the consensus board, but Mel sees something different in this prospect, saying the following:
I've slotted in wide receivers to the Giants in my previous mock drafts, so let's switch gears and go with another position they could target, said Kiper. They could use a player to challenge Aaron Robinson and Cor'Dale Flott on the other side of Adoree' Jackson. Turner is a hot name in the league right now, largely because scouts and execs went back to the tape after his 4.26-second 40-yard dash at the combine. That was the fourth-fastest time at the combine since 2003. He's in the first-round discussion now. At 5-11, 178 pounds, Turner isn't very big, but he has some versatility — he played outside and in the slot for the Wolverines. New York ranked 25th in the NFL with 19 takeaways last season.
John Michael Schmitz, C, Minnesota (57)
Schmitz is largely viewed as the best center and one of the better interior offensive linemen in the 2023 class, thanks to an impressive build and smooth set of feet.
At 6'3 and over 300 pounds, JMS packs a punch from the center position, largely outsizing traditional centers, all the while moving exceptionally well.
He scored within the top five of all interior offensive linemen at the Combine when it comes to athleticism and has had a strong pre-draft process at every stop.
When explaining his reasoning behind JMS to the Giants, Kiper noted:
The Giants could be in need of an immediate starter at center, with Nick Gates and Jon Feliciano departing in free agency, said Kiper. Schmitz started 31 games there in college. He is physical in the run game and has good balance in pass protection. He allowed just one sack over the past three seasons.
Pegged at 46 on the consensus board, if JMS is still there at 57, this becomes a no-brainer for New York and two picks that are sure to win the draft.
