2022 NFL Draft: New York Jets and Giants picks in rounds 2 and 3

The New York Jets moved up in the NFL draft again and added another speedy playmaker to their offense.

Iowa State running back Breece Hall was taken with the 36th overall pick Friday night after the Jets acquired it from the Giants for their second-round selection — No. 38 — and a fifth-rounder.

"He's a home run threat," general manager Joe Douglas said. "He can score from anywhere on the field."

New York kept its focus on the offense in the third round, drafting Ohio State tight end Jeremy Ruckert with the 101st pick.

"He's a dynamic athlete," Douglas said. "He's a dynamic weapon in the passing game. He wasn't always the No. 1 option at Ohio State, but he was a guy willing to do the dirty work to help his teammates as a blocker."

Barring any other deals, the Jets have two more selections in this draft: two fourth-rounders (Nos. 111 and 117).

Hall was staying at a hotel in the Las Vegas area and watching the draft, but didn't attend. He instead was celebrating with friends and family when he received the call from New York and his name was announced by former Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis.

After doing a Zoom interview with reporters, Hall made his way to the draft site. Wearing a Jets cap, Hall was allowed to walk on to the stage — both arms raised as fans in attendance cheered — and received a celebratory hug from NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.

"It's just a dream come true," Hall told NFL Network. "Last night, just knowing the Jets, they tried to trade into the first round to get me but it didn't go through. So it was kind of a bummer. But, I mean, I'm still blessed to be a Jet and blessed to be able to have the opportunity to come on here. So it's been fun."

The 6-foot-1, 220-pound Hall was a two-time All-American who set an Iowa State record with 56 touchdowns in three seasons, including 41 TD runs in the past two years. Hall was the first running back drafted this year, and first Big 12 player selected.

The Wichita, Kansas, native could form a potentially potent 1-2 combination in the Jets' backfield with Michael Carter, a fourth-rounder last year who led the team in rushing. New York also has veteran Tevin Coleman, Ty Johnson, La'Mical Perine and Austin Walter on the roster.

"I know it's really running back-friendly," Hall said of coordinator Mike LaFleur's offense. "Just being able to touch the ball and have a lot of opportunities, that's all I need."

Douglas has made it his mission this offseason to surround second-year quarterback Zach Wilson with more playmakers. Hall fits the bill, as does Ohio State wide receiver Garrett Wilson, who was the No. 10 overall pick Thursday night.

The Jets were busy at the start of the draft, taking Cincinnati cornerback Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner at No. 4, Wilson six picks later and then trading back into the first round to select Florida State defensive end Jermaine Johnson at No. 26.

The opening night-haul was lauded by many fans and media as a massive success for a franchise that has the NFL's longest active playoff drought at 11 seasons.

When asked Thursday night if the Jets had a high grade on a player who hadn't yet been drafted, Douglas replied: "Absolutely, yes. Absolutely."

Apparently, Hall was one of them — so much so the Jets pulled off a trade with the team whom they share a home stadium.

Ruckert is a native of Lindenhurst, New York, and grew up rooting for the Jets. He joins a tight ends room that includes free-agent signings C.J. Uzomah and Tyler Conklin.

"I've dreamed this since I was a little kid," said Ruckert, who watched practices as a youngster at the team's previous training facility at Hofstra University.

At Ohio State, Ruckert caught 54 passes for 615 yards and 12 touchdowns in four seasons. His statistics weren't as gaudy as some tight ends around the country, in large part because of the many receivers the Buckeyes had — including his now Jets teammate Garrett Wilson. But Douglas and the Jets liked the versatility they saw from Ruckert.

"When you did see the flashes, they were really impressive," Douglas said. "Really, really dynamic, athletic movements in the passing game. ... You saw those things and said, 'This guy is made of the right stuff.'"

A few hours before the second round began, the Jets were still buzzing about their trio of first-rounders — who were formally introduced at a news conference at the team's facility.

And, yes, Gardner was still wearing his diamond-encrusted "SAUCE" medallion.

The current crew of first-rounders recognized that they will forever be linked — and will together carry the task of trying to help return the Jets to respectability. And more importantly, the postseason.

"We come from the limelight and it ain't nothing new to us," Johnson said. "We've been leaned on before as those guys on the team. I think we're going to attack it and be the best teammates we can be."

With the 101st pick in the NFL Draft, the New York Jets selected tight end Jeremy Ruckert, of Ohio State.

Wan'Dale Robinson has been told for most of his football career that he isn't tall enough.

Robinson on Friday found an NFL team that agreed with him when the New York Giants surprised many by taking the 5-foot-8 Kentucky wide receiver in the second round of the NFL draft.

Giants general manager Joe Schoen was in a wheeling and dealing mood on the second day of his first draft, moving down twice to pick up extra picks and then taking a receiver who had 104 catches for the Wildcats in the tough Southeastern Conference.

Schoen said the Giants had a deal in place before the start of the second round and quickly made another one, dropping a total of seven places in the round before grabbing Robinson, who was with family and friends in a hotel in Lexington, Kentucky.

New York also continued to search for help across the board in the third round, taking North Carolina lineman Joshua Ezeudu and LSU defensive back Cordale Flott.

"I just feel like somebody just had to believe in me and not believe in the height thing and just believe in the football player," Robinson said, adding the Giants are getting a tough, elusive, exciting playmaker.

Robinson had a breakout season in 2021, gaining 1,334 yards and scoring seven touchdowns.

Giants coach Brian Daboll said Robinson can play in the slot and outside. Combined with Kenny Golladay, Kadarius Toney, Sterling Shepard and Darius Slayton, he will give provide added versatility for Daniel Jones and the offense.

"What we are trying to do is put as many generating pieces out there to create space and stretch the field, whether it be vertical or horizontally," Daboll said. "This is another good guy that has ability to run after catch, which is an important aspect of it."

The selection of Robinson fills another hole on a team that posted a 4-13 record in Joe Judge's second and final season. New York took edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux of Oregon with the fifth pick and Alabama tackle Evan Neal with the seventh choice in the first round on Thursday night.

With the early choices it was an easy first day for Schoen. His second day was creating more picks in the draft.

The Giants dropped down in both their second-round trades.

First, they traded the No. 36 pick overall to the Jets for No. 38 and a fifth-round pick. Just as quickly they dealt the 38th pick to Atlanta for the 43rd overall and an extra fourth-round choice.

The Jets took running back Breece Hall of Iowa State with the 36th pick and Atlanta took edge rusher Arnold Ebiketie of Penn State.

Ezeudu made 28 starts for the Tar Heels, including 21 the past two seasons. Most of the starts were at left guard but he also made four at left tackle and three at right tackle. He has also played different positions in the same game.

Ezeudu said he met a few times with Giants offensive line coach Bobby Johnson.

"I mean, I would say for your name to be called is always a surprise," Ezeudu said. "Everybody expects it to happen, but until it actually happens, it actually kind of shocks you."

Flott started 21 games for LSU and played in 35. He was versatile as he played cornerback, safety and the nickel position.

The Giants will have six picks in the final four rounds on Saturday.

"We want to continue to build depth," Schoen said. "Depth is important whether it's a backup role or competing for a starting role or special teams. Just continue to build depth and competition."

Schoen said he would be willing to use his picks to move up or down or create flexibility, either this year or next.

With the 81st overall pick of the NFL Draft, the New York Giants selected Cordale Flott, of LSU.

With the 67th overall pick in the NFL Draft, the New York Giants selected Joshua Ezeudu, of North Carolina.

With the 43rd overall pick of the NFL Draft, the New York Giants selected wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson, of Kentucky.

With the 36th overall pick of the NFL Draft, the New York Jets selected running back Breece Hall.

The first round of the NFL Draft was a huge success for New York football.

As CBS2's Steve Overmyer reports, both the Jets and Giants were winners in a whirlwind draft.

This was the most unpredictable draft in a long time with plenty of surprises. A pair of elite receivers were traded and six more were drafted.

The emphasis on the passing game helped shape the direction for the Jets, and their first pick has a real New York nickname -- "Sauce."

Jets opponents used to get locked down on "Revis Island." Now, they'll get a taste of the awesome Sauce -- cornerback Ahmad Gardner.

"I was a fan favorite in New York, you know, and I wanted to go somewhere I was wanted. You know, I feel like it kind of felt like recruiting a little bit just because all of the fans wanted me and they was able to get me," Gardner said. "I can't wait to get there."

The NFL has transformed into a passing league, and the Jets land the best cover corner available. Gardner didn't allow a single touchdown his entire college career.

"Sauce can do everything. He can play zone, he can play man, he can win in crunch time, he can run with the fastest guys, he can defend the biggest guys. He's elite," Jets head coach Robert Saleh said.

The Jets have been trying to trade for a receiver all offseason, but got one with the 10th pick. Garrett Wilson, of Ohio State, is a deep threat sure to give Zach Wilson a formidable weapon.

"I know he likes to air it out, and I can't wait to start building chemistry with Zach as soon as I get up there in N.Y.," Garrett Wilson said.

The Jets considered drafting pass rusher Jermaine Johnson, of Florida State, at 10, but when he started to fall down the board, the Jets jumped at the chance to trade back into the first round and pick him up at pick number 26.

"It feels awesome, you know. Our thoughts and everything align. We like to play defense the same way," Johnson said. "I'm just excited to bring everything I can do to the Jets."

The Giants were equally successful. It started with an excited 19-year-old heart transplant recipient getting his Make-A-Wish granted by announcing the fifth pick -- Kayvon Thibodeaux.

Sam Prince stole the show with his enthusiastic style, matching the energy the Giants' new pass rusher is expected to bring to the field.

"I know I can do it, but I gotta put it in every day. It can't be proclaimed. It's not something we can talk about. I can tell you it now and not do it tomorrow, but I gotta be a guy who goes to do it. I have to be a guy who has something to show for it," Thibodeaux said.

The Giants were still able to draft a blue chip offensive lineman two picks later. Evan Neal is a 350-pound mountain from Alabama. Many consider him the best lineman in the draft.

"I'm a Florida boy, so going up there to New York is going to be a different setting, but I'll be able to adjust to it. So I'm just excited to see what the future unfolds," Neal said.

The Jets and the Giants both addressed their biggest areas of need. Experts have already graded out the winners of the first round, ranking the Jets number one and the Giants number two.

Each team is positioned to have an equally great second night of the draft Friday night.