3 rival moves from 2022 NFL Draft Night 1 that should scare Cowboys

2. The Giants Have Arguably the Best First Round

The New York Giants added not one, but two impressive prospects in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft. The Giants were owners of the fifth and seventh-overall picks. Some thought they would trade down with one, but instead, new GM Joe Schoen took advantage of both early picks. These two additions were often seen as No. 1 and 2 overall when the NCAA football season ended.

With pick No. 5, they selected Oregon DE Kayvon Thibodeaux, a man the Cowboys were reportedly trying to trade up for. After being the only team in the NFL to rank in the bottom five in both pass block win rate and pass rush win rate, the Giants secured a major defensive threat. Despite an ankle injury, Thibodeaux had 7.0 sacks, 50 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, eight quarterback hits, and a 17.8% pressure percentage in 2021 at Oregon. Even though there were some questions around the Duck’s effort and focus, his speed and power were simply too much to pass up.

The first five picks contained no offensive lineman, so it is likely that the Giants picked Thibodeaux knowing that they’d either land the a first or second-best option at pick No. 7. NC State’s Ikem Ekwonu went No. 6 to the Panthers and the Giants landed Alabama’s Evan Neal. Neal will be a massive force on New York’s offensive line at 6-7 and 337 pounds.

Neal will likely join 2020 first-rouder Andrew Thomas as starting tackles, meaning the Giant’s OL now is bookended by top-level talent. Neal also brings versatility starting at both tackle positions and guard in his time at Alabama. He was a team captain and helped lead the Crimson Tide to an outstanding high-scoring offensive year.

With New York adding major threats to both fronts, the Cowboys could finally be in trouble when they play in East Rutherford.