If we learned anything from the 2019 Senior Bowl, it’s that New York Giants general manager Dave Gettleman certainly puts stock into it.
Big Blue’s first-round pick, Daniel Jones, was the Most Valuable Player in the game last season and his performance might have put Gettleman over the top to take the Duke product at No. 6.
The Giants have several needs to address in what is a rebuilding project at this point. Jones could use help along the offensive line for both now and in the future, and a weapon at wide receiver wouldn’t hurt, also.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Giants were a mess in the secondary, and creating pressure with a consistent pass-rush was once again an issue for Big Blue.
If the Giants are going to successfully rebuild this team, Gettleman has got to make the most of his seven picks in the 2020 NFL Draft, and there’s a good chance some of those picks will be made based on what he sees in this year’s Senior Bowl.
Here are some players to watch on Saturday.
Terrell Lewis, EDGE, Alabama
Getting pressure was once again an issue for the Giants in 2019, as their 36 sacks ranked No. 22 in the NFL. On the bright side, Big Blue improved upon its 30 sacks from the 2018 campaign.
Adding to the Giants’ overall sack woes, the team’s sack leader, Markus Golden, is a free agent this offseason and there’s no guarantee he returns.
With New York in the market for an EDGE once again, Terrell Lewis out of Alabama is a Senior to watch. In 10 games last season, the 6-foot-5, 252-pound linebacker totaled 31 tackles (11.5 for loss) and six sacks.
Denzel Mims, WR, Baylor
Aside from addressing the need at EDGE, the Giants could use some more weapons around their quarterback. Gettleman made a solid pick in Darius Slayton in the 2019 NFL Draft, but additional help is needed.
Adding a receiver who can play on the outside will be important, and Baylor wideout Denzel Mims fits the bill. With his 6-foot-3, 206-pound frame, Mims not only has the size, but his speed as a former track and field star adds another element to his game.
In three years as a starter at Baylor, Mims broke the 1,000-yard mark twice, and he totaled 20 touchdowns through the air in those two seasons.
Josh Jones, OT, Houston
Speaking of helping the Giants’ second-year quarterback, Jones was sacked 38 times in 2019, the sixth-most in the NFL. NFL history shows the Giants need to improve upon that if the Duke product is going to have success in this league.
Keep an eye on left tackle Josh Jones out of Houston. The 6-foot-5, 311-pound tackle is flying under-the-radar a bit, but is seeing his stock slowly rise. Granted, he will be raw upon entering the NFL, but could become a monster with the right coaching.
If the Giants decide to hold on to Nate Solder for another year, that will give time for Jones to develop and he could be ready to start when 2021 rolls around.
Matt Peart, OT, UConn
If the Giants are looking for a little flexibility in an offensive lineman pick, tackle Matt Peart could be that guy. In four years with UConn, he spent time at both guard and tackle, making him a nice option for depth if he can’t be a starter right away.
With Mike Remmers already being a free agent this offseason and the future of Solder in doubt, Big Blue also has to worry about Kevin Zeitler’s contract running out after 2021.
Peart is the kind of lineman who the Giants could slot in to any of those positions, although he’s going to need time to develop before becoming an effective offensive lineman at the next level.
Brandon Aiyuk, WR, Arizona State
Like Mims, wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk out of Arizona State would fit in nicely as a perimeter threat for Jones in the Giants’ offense.
Standing at six feet tall and weighing in at 201 pounds, Aiyuk doesn’t possess overwhelming size on the outside, but he makes up for that with explosive speed and is a big-play threat whenever the ball is in his hands.
In 2019, Aiyuk finished with 65 catches for 1,192 yard and eight scores, and he averaged 18.2 yards per reception. If not for a stacked receiver class, the Arizona State product would likely go much higher and could be an absolute steal at No. 36.
Troy Pride Jr., CB, Notre Dame
With the Giants disposing of Janoris Jenkins during the season, the team is going to be looking to add a corner or two. After all, the biggest weaknesses for the G-Men on defense last season was in the secondary.
Troy Pride Jr. isn’t going to solve all the Giants’ issues, but he’d be a solid piece to move them a step in the right direction. The 5-foot-11, 194-pound corner has a ton of speed, which is something New York’s secondary is currently lacking.
The downside to Pride Jr. is his size, of course. He’ll need to add more bulk if he’s going to compete with bigger receivers at the next level. Still, he’s an interesting prospect because what he lacks in size, he makes up for in athleticism and speed.
Trevon Hill, EDGE, Miami
An EDGE the Giants could look at in the later rounds of the 2020 NFL Draft is Trevon Hill out of Miami. The 6-foot-3, 233-pound pass rusher has the kind of athleticism that could make him an impact player down the road.
Hill spent his first three years in college at Virginia Tech where he compiled 94 total tackles (20 for loss) and 11.5 sacks in 29 games. He was dismissed during his Junior year after totaling 4.5 sacks in his first three games, and was critical of the coaching staff before his exit.
In his Senior year at Miami, Hill played in 12 games and had 27 total tackles (9.5 for loss) and 4.5 sacks. If he can keep the filter on and add some bulk to his frame, Hill has a chance to be a difference maker in the NFL.
