2018 NFL Mock Draft: New York Giants 3-round mock 2.0
By Sean Dyer
Pick Analysis. 1. 31. Quenton Nelson. player. Scouting Report. OG. Notre Dame
The New York Giants need to improve their offensive line and we waste no time addressing it here.
Is the second overall pick too early to draft a guard? That could be argued, but Quenton Nelson will be a day one starter at left guard and likely won’t leave the starting lineup for at least the next ten years.
Offensive tackle is certainly ahead of offensive guard on the Giants list of needs but not by much. Also, by adding Nelson, the Giants could re-sign Justin Pugh and put him at right tackle.
Pugh is a better left guard than a right tackle. However, Nelson is a better left guard than Pugh and Pugh is a better right tackle than Chad Wheeler. Therefore, the Giants would be improving two spots on their offensive line with one draft pick.
A lot of Giants fans want Nelson’s teammate, Mike McGlinchey to play left tackle for Big Blue. McGlinchey is talented and could be the first offensive tackle off the board in April, but Nelson is an overall better offensive lineman.
Nelson ranks as Draft Wire‘s No. 2 overall prospect and they believe he could be drafted in the top-five:
"It’s rare that an interior offensive lineman has a legitimate case to make as the best overall prospect in the draft, but Nelson is the exception. He could have been a fairly early pick in last year’s draft, but another season of experience and refinement has Nelson even more prepared to be an All-Pro right out of the gate. A massive mover with a rare combination of athleticism, physicality and awareness, Nelson is a 36-game starter who consistently dominates his competition. He should be a top-10 lock who is worthy of top-five consideration."
Most NFL mock drafts have the New York Giants selecting a quarterback second overall. That is likely the most beneficial move for the Giants long-term. If they focus on 2018 (which is not a terrible strategy because they are closer to contending than most teams picking second), the offensive line is their No. 1 hole to fill.
There aren’t any offensive tackles in this draft class worthy of the second overall pick. There is, however, an offensive guard deserving of such an investment. His name is Quenton Nelson and he could provide the New York Giants with a mainstay on their offensive line for years to come.