Mel Kiper, Daniel Jeremiah update Giants picks in latest mock drafts
Mel Kiper and Daniel Jeremiah update Giants picks in the latest mocks
With the first wave of freelancers now on the books, many of the top drafting experts have updated their first-round predictions for next month’s NFL draft.
The latest to do so are known to be two of the best in the business — ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. and NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah.
First up is Kiper, who predicted the Giants will add another offensive weapon for Daniel Jones to target in the passing game.
Choose: Jordan Addison, WR, USC
Analysis: “Quarterback Daniel Jones is back on a four-year contract, and the Giants’ front office has prioritized playmakers around him. New York gave the franchise tag to running back Saquon Barkley, newly signed wideouts Darius Slayton and Sterling Shepard, tight end Darren Waller and added receiver Parris Campbell on a one-year deal. This is an enhanced depth chart that also includes promising second-rounder Wan’Dale Robinson from 2022. How about another one? Addison has put up huge numbers for Pitt and USC Over the last three seasons, and he could be a plug-and-play starter, getting replays in and out of the slot. This is a big step forward for the Giants’ passing offense. – Kipper
Addison began his collegiate career in Pittsburgh, where he conceded 60 passes for 666 yards and four touchdowns as a freshman in 2020. The 6-foot-tall, 173-pound wideout cemented himself firmly on the NFL radar with his stellar performance the following season. In 14 games, Addison recorded 100 receptions for 1,593 yards and a whopping 17 touchdowns, adding another score on the ground. He was named a Consensus All-American along with the first-team All-ACC and also won the Biletnikoff Award for the nation’s top wide receiver.
After joining USC, Addison played 11 games for the Trojans last season. He recorded 59 receptions for 875 yards and eight touchdowns on his way to being selected as a first-team All-Pac-12.
Now to Jeremiah. In his previous mock draft, the NFL Network analyst picked Tennessee receiver Jalin Hyatt for the Giants at number 25. After the first week of a free hand, Jeremiah changed his pick for the Giants, replacing the wideout with more protection up front.
Choose: Joe Tippman, IOL, Wisconsin
Analysis: “The Giants did a good job injecting some much-needed speed into the free-hand skill positions. Tippmann would team up with two young talented offensive tacklers to protect Daniel Jones for the foreseeable future.” – Jeremiah
Tippman got his first significant action as a redshirt sophomore in 2021 when he played at center in 11 games from 10 starts. He helped block for the No. 2 rushing offense in the Big Ten with an average of 210.9 yards per game.
The 6-foot-6, 317-pound lineman shone in 2022, starting 12 games at center before being declared for the draft and forgoing the Guaranteed Rate Bowl last December. He allowed just one sack and five total pressures on 338 pass-blocking snaps, which helped him earn an All-Big Ten Honorable Mention selection for the second straight season. Tippmann was also an Academic All-Big Ten honoree from 2020-2022 as he studied consumer behavior and market studies.