The 2020 NFL Draft is three weeks away and at this very moment is the only thing that is still on the sports schedule. Assuming nothing changes, here’s how I would run the New York Giants’ draft this year.
Using The Draft Network’s mock draft simulator which does not permit for trades, I ran the first six rounds of the draft in the shoes of Dave Gettleman, throwing in my own twist here and there.
Round 1, Pick 4
There was so much to choose from here, it almost makes no sense not to trade out and get more draft capital. But we couldn’t, so we made a pick. Imagine a scenario in which all four top offensive tackles, Isaiah Simmons, Tua Tagovailoa and Justin Herbert are all staring you in the face? You know you’re going to get a stud, but which one?
I chose Louisville left tackle Mekhi Becton. He reminds me a lot of Orlando Pace and has the size/ability combination to be a dominant player in the NFL. It’s about time the Giants got themselves a scary franchise left tackle who can kick some ass, so this was the golden opportunity to finally cross that need off the list.
Round 2, Pick 36
What to do, what to do. The board had three running backs (D’Andre Swift, Jonathan Taylor and J.K. Dobbins) starring us in the face but again, we had to go with the more glaring need — inside linebacker. Plus, the Giants have Saquon Barkley for another three seasons and just inked Dion Lewis.
The pick here is LSU linebacker Patrick Queen. I know the Giants just signed Blake Martinez, but Queen is a stud that we just couldn’t let get past us. Again, it’s about time the Giants had some linebackers to hang their hat on. Queen is comparable to Thomas Davis in many ways. Gotta take him here.
Round 3, Pick 99
The Giants are going to have to come to the realization that Nate Solder is pretty much done and they don’t really have a lot of depth behind him. They signed Cam Fleming as a swing tackle and are high on Nick Gates but more is needed. Right here, we couldn’t pass up LSU’s Saahdiq Charles. Lots to like about him.
Round 4, Pick 110
Some players just stick in your mind and Maryland running back Anthony McFarland is one of them. He had a high ankle sprain in 2019 so he kind of fell off the radar, but if you watch his tape you can’t help thinking, “Devonta Freeman.” As we mentioned, the Giants have a nice 1-2 combo of Barkley and Lewis but they could always use another pair of hands (and legs) coming out of the backfield.
Round 5, Pick 150
Every draft, there are surprises and to find Alabama outside linebacker Anfernee Jennings still on the board here was a coup. The Giants could use Jennings the way the Patriots used Kyle Van Noy. Lorenzo Carter is not cutting it, so why not grab Jennings as an insurance policy if Carter doesn’t show improvement? He’s got good anticipation and is highly productive. Again, the more good linebackers you have, the better your defense is going to be.
Round 6, Pick 183
With Antoine Bethea gone and Julian Love still a question mark, expect the Giants to draft at least one safety. We picked Maryland’s Antoine Brooks Jr. here. He’s a solid kid with good in-the-box abilities and is a solid tackler.
