Mel Kiper Jr. mock draft: Giants get Utah RT Spencer Fano — and more

A new name has entered the mock draft arena for the New York Giants.

ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. released his pre-combine mock draft on Tuesday morning and he’s broken from the mold compared to most mock drafts for the Giants this year. Unlike most mock drafts recently, Kiper doesn’t select any player from Ohio State for the Giants. Instead, he gives the Giants a right tackle at No. 5 overall — and he goes against the grain there as well.

Kiper mocked Utah right tacker Spencer Fano to the Giants.

5. New York Giants – Spencer Fano, RT, Utah

In January, I had Ohio State receiver Carnell Tate here. I think that’s still very possible, as New York needs a WR2 opposite Malik Nabers. But it doesn’t matter who Jaxson Dart is throwing to if he doesn’t have enough time to get the ball out. Fano started 36 games over three seasons, and he allowed just four sacks (and only one over the past two years once flipping from left tackle to right tackle). His technique and power are outstanding. If free agent Jermaine Eluemunor doesn’t return, I like Fano sliding into the RT spot in the lineup, helping keep Dart clean and driving defenders out of the way for running back Cam Skattebo.

Chris’ thoughts

As we’ve been saying, free agency will tell us a lot about the Giants’ draft plans. It isn’t a given that Eluemunor will return in 2026, though I tend to think he will. The Giants’ biggest (perceived) competition for his services has other in-house options, and it doesn’t seem likely that they’ll move JC Latham for Eluemunor.

Eluemunor has also played for John Harbaugh in the past. He was drafted by the Ravens in 2017 and played under Harbaugh for two years until he was traded to the Patriots in 2019. Elumunor has also been one of Jaxson Dart’s most vocal supporters in public and might prefer to stay with the charismatic young quarterback.

However it works out, the feeling here is that it would be a legitimate surprise if the Giants came into draft night without an answer in place at right tackle. If they do so, it either means they are completely sold on Marcus Mbow, or sold on one of the top tackle prospects.

Turning to Fano himself, he is an athletic, easy mover who’s able to win with great agility and positioning. He’s a lean tackle 6-foot-6, 308 pounds (unofficially), and bears a certain resemblance to Charles Cross coming out. I don’t agree with Kiper that Fano’s power is “outstanding” but his play strength is adequate for the position, and he can match power with most NFL edge defenders with good footwork and technique.

Like Marcus Mbow, Fano may have some issues with powerful rushers at the NFL level, and he’s also likely better suited to outside zone running schemes than inside zone or more downhill man-gap schemes. However, with questions with regards to whether Miami’s Francis Mauigoa is a tackle or guard in the NFL — particularly in light of similar questions a year ago about Will Campbell and the struggles he had against top competition — Fano could be the top tackle prospect on draft night.

So if the Giants need an offensive tackle … He’s the guy.

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