Giants GM Dave Gettleman confirmed on Monday that he is keenly focused on upgrading his offensive line in next week's NFL Draft.
Gettleman made clear in his first on-record interview with local media since the NFL Combine that signing free agent Cowboys backup Cameron Fleming was only one piece of the puzzle at improving his tackle position.
"Part of the unrestricted free agency piece is we're also looking at the draft, you know what I'm saying? So you kind of marry the two," Gettleman said in a joint conference call with assistant GM Kevin Abrams. "With the depth of the tackle class in the draft, we just felt like this was the best way for us to go."
Gettleman also admitted he is scouting the college centers in depth, which the Daily News has reported for months, a process that also included fruitless free agent interest in veterans Joe Looney (Cowboys) and Ted Karras (Dolphins).
"We're working that group over pretty good in the draft," the GM said.
The 2020 tackle class, of course, is led by the foursome of Georgia's Andrew Thomas, Iowa's Tristan Wirfs, Louisville's Mekhi Becton and Alabama's Jedrick Wills Jr. Some sources believe Thomas is the Giants' preference, but they're spending significant time on all of them.
Gettleman cited Nick Gates as a young tackle on the Giants' roster that they have "faith in" and claimed Gates could be in consideration to compete at center, since he's practiced there a bit.
But it would be an upset if the Giants didn't draft a true center to anchor their O-line, such as Michigan's Cesar Ruiz, LSU's Lloyd Cushenberry, Temple's Matt Hennessy or San Diego State's Keith Ismael.
The GM's goal in addressing his front five in the draft? To make good on a promise he has failed to keep for two years: to both prioritize and solidify Big Blue's O-line.
"History tells you the toughness of your team is really indicated by the toughness of your offensive line," he said. "So we're looking for that piece."
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That said, the Giants prefer to draft the best player available with their premium picks, not to draft for need when there are better talents on the board. So defense can't be ruled out in the first and second rounds, such as Auburn DT Derrick Brown and Clemson LB Isaiah Simmons in the first.
Still, when Gettleman was asked if he filled enough holes in free agency to position the Giants to draft the best player available, his answer was tepid.
"Yeah. I think we've done a good job," he said. "It's not perfect. But I'm pleased with where we're at going into the draft."
Gettleman did sound like he's not pursuing any big ticket pass rushers late in the free agent market when he said that you "can't overpay" at that position and that the Giants' 2020 pass rush is a "gonna have to come through scheme."
