Taking a look at each New York Giants draft pick and giving them a grade after day 2:
The Giants are one team that has enjoyed a successful 220 NFL draft up to this point. They have fixed several holes of absolute need and incorporated positional value into their decisions. Dave Gettleman and new head coach Joe Judge have knocked it out of the park this year, landing a hopeful franchise left tackle in Andrew Thomas, a versatile safety in Xavier McKinney, and a high upside, developmental tackle in Matt Peart.
Let’s take a look at each player and give them a singular grade after day two of the NFL draft.
1.) Andrew Thomas
Thomas was highly regarded as one of the best left tackle prospects in the NFL draft, considering his strength and ability to hunker down in pass protection. He has one of the highest floors of any prospect, and he can be a pure franchise protector for Daniel Jones’s blindside.
Locking down that spot and adding positional value will help the Giants keep future cap-hits down and have available money for elite pass rushers and playmakers. If you take a look at the Dallas Cowboys, solidifying their offensive line and allocating a first-round pick toward the defense last season has allowed them to double-dip at wide receiver with CeeDee Lamb.
In an ideal world, the Giants will also have that luxury after investing heavily in the offensive line and hopefully finalizing its revolution once and for all. This draft pick was fantastic and deserving of a high-grade, simply based on the fact that he is a plug and play left tackle and will only get better over time.
Grade: A-
2.) Xavier McKinney
McKinney is a versatile and adaptable safety that somehow slipped to the second round for the Giants. At number 36, Gettleman and Judge locked down a position that has plagued the secondary in recent years.
No more Antoine Bethea or Curtis Riley missing tackles and causing issues in coverage. McKinney is not only a quality player, but he is one of the hardest-hitting free safeties in the draft class.
He enters the league with glowing reviews from Alabama coach Nick Saban. Saban and Judge have a personal connection, which is where that recommendation comes into play. Xavier can play all over the defense — free safety, in the slot, in the box, and even rush the passer on specific sets. Defensive coordinator Patrick Graham should have a fantastic time utilizing him and moving him around the field to keep offenses on their toes.
Grade: A
3.) Matt Peart
Many believe Peart is one of the best selections for the Giants up to this point, simply based on his potential. As a third-round pick, there is still plenty of room for development, and he brings a solid foundation to the team. He can still add size, but he was the highest grade player at the Senior Bowl and was reportedly graded higher than any other center on the Giants’ draft board.
He will come in and begin the developmental phase of his game, which will hopefully see him take over at right tackle in 2021. This all but writes the script for Nate Solder and his future with the organization.
If Peart does pan out, the Giants will have walked away with two starting tackles for the foreseeable future. Factor in their rookie deals and the Giants’ cap health will be strong down the road.
Grade: A-