Giants seven-round NFL Mock Draft 1.0:?Rome Odunze, Michael Penix Jr. reunite

The arrival of April means we are finally in the same month as the NFL draft and everyone knows what that means: Mock, away!

The Giants have six picks in this year’s draft, one pick in every round except the seventh.

The only good that came out of last season’s swoon to 7-10 is that they sit at No. 6 overall.

There are too many needs to fill all the holes on the roster during the course of the three-day event.

When in doubt, think offense for this particular draft, as the Giants are lacking in many areas, when it comes to moving the ball and getting it into the end zone.

We used Pro Football Network’s simulator for this exercise. Here we go with Giants Mock 1.0:

Round 1, No. 6 overall: Rome Odunze, WR, Washington

In this simulation, quarterbacks Caleb Williams, Drake Maye and Jayden Daniels were off the board, as were wide receivers Malik Nabers and Marvin Harrison Jr. That left the Giants to choose from Joe Alt — the best left tackle prospect in this draft — as well as tight end Brock Bowers and quarterback J.J. McCarthy. This seems too high for McCarthy.

It turns out to be an easy decision, as the need for a true No. 1 receiver is glaring and Odunze has bona fide star potential. He has great size (6-foot-3, 212 pounds), more than enough speed and an uncanny ability to make contested catches. In 2023, he had 92 receptions for 1,640 yards and 16 touchdowns. He has an engaging personality and should be ready to contribute in a big way right away.

Round 2, No. 47 overall: Michael Penix Jr., QB, Washington

There will be no introductions needed, as the Giants pair Odunze with his college teammate the past two seasons. There was so much work done by this front office and scouting department on quarterbacks for this draft, making it no secret that the desire was there to investigate and add to the most important position on the field.

In this simulation, Bo Nix was already selected. Penix, a lefty, throws a beautiful ball and no one in this draft class spins it more accurately deep down the field. At 6-2 and 216 pounds he is smallish but his arm strength is big. He threw 67 touchdown passes the past two seasons in Washington after four years at Indiana. There are downsides. He will be a 24-year old rookie and he has a serious injury history, including tearing his right ACL twice. In the second round, he is worth the risk.

Round 3, No. 70 overall: Kris Jenkins, DT, Michigan

There is NFL pedigree, as his father, also named Kris, was a four-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle for the Panthers and Jets. The son does not possess ideal size (6-3, 299 pounds) or bulk and that could hurt him, although he is a relentless pass rusher and can close on ball-carriers with a quick burst.

Jenkins played well for the national champion Wolverines in playoff victories over Alabama and Washington. With the roster losing A’Shawn Johnson, another body is needed. Dexter Lawrence is a star at one defensive tackle spot and Rakeem Nunez-Roches, Jordon Riley and D.J. Davidson all return, giving Jenkins plenty of time to grow on the job.

Round 4, No. 107 overall: Cade Stover, TE, Ohio State

Well, there could be an obvious need here, as Darren Waller continues to contemplate retirement. If he is gone, the position is devoid of a dangerous pass-catching option. Daniel Bellinger, entering his third season, is a solid player but he is not a true No. 1 option.

Stover the past two seasons had 77 catches for 982 yards and 10 touchdowns in a Buckeyes offense that contained too many threats for him to put up huge numbers. At 6-4 and 247 pounds he is more of a receiver than he is a blocker and he is an athletic route-runner who might be able to be split wide in certain formations.

Round 5, No. 166 overall: Javon Foster, OT, Missouri

The Giants cannot afford to be short handed at offensive tackle ever again, after what they endured in 2023. Foster was a three-year starter who showed he was durable and looks the part, with long arms and a 6-5, 313-pound frame.

He is far from a finished product and does not have to play right away. Evan Neal is getting another shot at right tackle and Jermaine Eluemunor was signed to challenge him for a starting spot or else serve as a swing tackle or starting guard. Foster can figure out the NFL as he develops.

Round 6, No. 183 overall: Isaac Guerendo, RB, Louisville

Yeah, Saquon Barkley now plays for the Eagles. Devin Singletary was signed to start and Eric Gray, Gary Brightwell and Jashaun Corbin remain on the roster. Help is needed. Guerendo spent four years at Wisconsin and showed flashes but could not avoid injuries.

He needed a healthy 2023 season at Louisville and he delivered, with 810 yards and 11 touchdowns in 14 games. At 6-foot and 221 pounds, he has some thud to his game and has top-end speed (4.33) to take it the distance.