The New York Giants will almost certainly pick a running back in the 2022 NFL Draft. The questions are how early and what type of back will they go for? The answers depend almost entirely on what the new regime of GM Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll truly believe about Saquon Barkley’s future with the Giants.
Let’s dive into the running back spot as we look position by position at the Giants leading up to the draft.
The current depth map
Starter: Saquon Barkley
Fuses: Matt Breida, Gary Brightwell, Antonio Williams, Sandro Platzgummer
The Giants eliminated Devontae Booker in a salary cap and added low-cost veterans Matt Breida and Antonio Williams for depth.
However, regardless of what decision the Giants make in the draft, it’s all about Barkley. The 2018 No. 2 overall is playing the 2022 season with his $7.217 million fifth-year option.
Do Schoen and Daboll see Barkley, who has been dealing with leg injuries for three straight seasons after an incredible rookie year, as a long-term building block player they’d be willing to give a big second contract to? A player they would be willing to franchise in 2023? A player who just doesn’t pay big money because of his positional value? A player they would be willing to trade ahead of the upcoming draft or at the close this fall?
We don’t know the answer. However, your approach to the design might give us a clue. Are they using a prime day 2 pick on a player seen as a potential three-down defender who could become the team’s featured defender this year or next? Will they wait until day 3 to add an opponent, probably someone with the potential to be useful in the passing game?
Let’s take a look at some of the players that could be considered.
Draft class of 2022
Day 1 possibilities
none
Day 2 (Rounds 2-3) Opportunities
Breece Hall, State of Iowa [Prospect profile]
Kenneth Walker III, Michigan State [Prospect profile]
Isaiah Spiller, Texas A&M [Prospect profile]
If the Giants want any of these three players, who are widely considered to be the best defensemen in this class, they have to use a Day 2 pick. If Hall or Walker are a target, that pick probably needs to come in at #36 round.
Hall is currently #36 in the NFL Mock Draft Database. Walker is #47 and Spiller is #60.
Day 3 (Rounds 4-6) Possibilities
Brian Robinson, Alabama [Prospect profile]
James Cook, Georgia [Prospect profile]
Rachaad White, Arizona State [Prospect profile]
Dameon Pierce, Fla [Prospect profile]
Kyren Williams, Notre Dame [Prospect profile]
Zamir White, Georgia
Tyler Allgeier, BYU
Jerome Ford, Cincinnati
Tyler Badie, Missouri
Pierre Strong Jr. (State of South Dakota) [Prospect profile]
[NOTE: There are others, but these are the top 10 backs after Hall-Walker-Spiller on the NFL Mock Draft Database consensus big board.]
Much of the focus in this group was Georgia’s James Cook. He makes sense due to his playability as a tempo changer and as a threat receiver. Schoen attended Georgia Pro Day, with reports circulating that Cook might have been the apple of his eye. The Giants also invited Cook for a private visit.
In his Rookie Scouting Portfolio Draft Guide, Matt Waldman seems to expect Cook to be a capped player:
Cook is one of the best, if not the best, in this class when it comes to switching downhill and dodging defenders playing the power role. He’s an elusive defender with game-changing speed. When his acceleration isn’t as good as his top speed, that puts a limit on his potential between tackles, despite having the narrow vision of an every-down back.
Cook’s lack of size, strength, and contact balance limits him to a tempo-changing role on offense. For me, Cook did better than Nyheim Hines in 2018, but Hines’ ball security and pass protection weren’t as good as Cook. Otherwise both share top speed but a slower acceleration process that can catch them from behind if the runway isn’t big enough. Both catch the ball well and aren’t afraid to work against the big boys when given carries in the box.
Cook might just be good enough to earn a chance as a committee with a significant role in the passing game. If he can be the b-back like D’Andre Swift is in Detroit, Cook could generate enduring production and fantasy value. He’s an exciting fit-based option that could have huge success with the right system, but he’s not a player I would call up with any expectations of that happening. You should see it before you believe it.
Giants 2022 draft picks
Round 1 (#5)
Round 1 (#7)
Round 2 (#36)
Round 3 (#67)
Round 3 (#81)
Round 4 (#112)
Round 5 (#147)
Round 5 (#173)
Round 6 (#182)
Final Thoughts
Unless the Giants draft board clearly shows Hall, Walker, or Spiller as the best value at picks 36 or 67, my best guess at this point would be that the Giants don’t bother running back until at least the 81 pick.