Dave Gettleman drops hints on Giants’ draft plans

What will the New York Giants do with the No. 4 overall selection in this month’s NFL Draft? General manager Dave Gettleman may have tipped his hand on a conference call with the Giants’ beat pool on Monday.

There are a slew of offensive tackles to be had in this draft and the Giants should have their pick-of-the-litter when they are on the clock at No. 4. That is one of the reasons why Gettleman did not go hog-mollie-wild in free agency.

He signed swing tackle Cam Fleming and reminded us that Nate Solder, although in decline, is still a Giant. Plus, he liked what he saw from Nick Gates last season.

Dave Gettleman says Giants LT Nate Solder: "had a rough year last year. Nobody’s deniying it and certainly he is not." … Gettleman says "with the depth of tackles in the draft" he felt comfortable not addressing OL much in free agency. … He also is high on Nick Gates.

— Ralph Vacchiano (@RVacchianoSNY) April 13, 2020

But that leads us to the conclusion that Gettleman is favoring taking an offensive tackle with his first pick, whether it be at No. 4 or later on in the order should he manage to swing a trade.

Gettleman was reminded that he is also in need of a center. He admitted the Giants were looking with Jon Halapio rehabbing from an Achilles injury.

Gettleman on center: "We won't know about Pio until June with the Achilles… We're working that group over pretty good in the draft."

— Tom Rock (@TomRock_Newsday) April 13, 2020

Gettleman also offered a solution few had thought of before today — Gates.

Gettleman says he won't know about Halapio until June and he's looking at the center position in the draft. Has no problem upgrading. Also, said Gates would be a consideration at center.

— The Giant Insider Newspaper & Podcast (@GiantInsider) April 13, 2020

Expect the Giants to do two things next week in the draft. One, look to accumulate more picks in the early rounds, and two, draft a tackle and a center.