12 players Giants will consider on Day 2 of 2022 NFL Draft

The Giants plugged two big holes in their lineup with their two first-round picks on Thursday night, but there’s still a lot more work to be done. 

Here’s what to watch for with them, and a dozen players they should be watching when Day 2 of the NFL Draft begins:

Day 2 Picks: 36^th (Round 2); 67^th and 81^st (Round 3)

Biggest needs: Safety, cornerback, tight end, linebacker, wide receiver, running back

12 players to watch

Penn State S Jaquan Brisker

The last two picks of the first round were safeties, so a run might be coming and this 6-1, 199-pounder could be next. He’s a hard hitter who ran a 4.49 in the 40. The Giants only have two safeties on their roster.

Baylor S Jalen Pitre

A versatile, 5-11, 198-pounder who played the "star" position at Baylor, which was everything from a blitzer to a coverage linebacker to a free safety. A team leader who’d make a good third safety in the Giants’ defense.

Auburn CB Roger McCreary 

A cornerback on Day 2 seems like a must if they’re going to eventually move on from James Bradberry. The 5-11, 190-pounder is an aggressive player who loves the big hit and has terrific instincts.

Clemson CB Andrew Booth

The 6-foot, 194-pound Booth is a physical corner who had a shot to be a first-round pick. But he reportedly underwent surgery for a hernia in March. He is expected to be ready to go by training camp, but that’s a risk.

Colorado State TE Trey McBride

Another "must" position for the Giants after getting rid of all their tight ends from 2021. The 6-4, 246-pounder should be the first off the board. A better receiver than a blocker.

Ohio State TE Jeremy Ruckert

The Long Island native should be gettable in Round 3. At 6-5, 250 he was underused as a receiver for the Buckeyes, but scouts think he has the hands and speed to be a good one in the NFL.

North Dakota State WR Christian Watson

There was a lot of late buzz that the Giants would take a receiver earlier than expected. Makes sense since their corps is in flux after this year. He’s huge (6-4, 211) and can fly (4.36) and should be one of the first picks of Day 2.

Western Michigan WR Skyy Moore

A candidate if the Giants decide to look for a slot receiver first. He’s small (5-10, 195) but fast (4.41) and has shifty moves. He could fill the Cole Beasley role in Brian Daboll’s offense.

Georgia LB Nakobe Dean

He is easily one of the best prospects left on the board and might not even get to the Giants. If he does, the 5-11, 229-pounder could be a great hedge against the future of Blake Martinez, who is recovering from a torn ACL. His sideline-to-sideline speed and instincts make him an ideal player for the middle of any defense.

Alabama LB Christian Harris

A powerful, 6-1, 226-pound inside linebacker who has the speed (4.44) to be effective in coverage. Some scouts think he’s more suited to the outside, but the Giants could use help there, too.

Georgia RB James Cook

A Day 2 running back has seemed like part of the Giants’ plans for a while, both for a 2022 rotation and maybe for a post-Saquon Barkley starter. They love the speedy, shifty, 5-11, 199-pound Cook, who has the explosion of his older brother, Dalvin, but not the size and strength.

North Carolina QB Sam Howell

Would they do it? Would they take a developmental QB and add it to their list of options for 2023? The 6-1, 218-pound Howell is the one who seemingly got their attention the most the last few months. He can run and he’s got a strong arm, but he lacks consistency and needs time to develop. Hard to imagine the Giants would take a QB in Round 2, but don’t rule him out if he’s still available in Round 3.