The New York Giants hold the fourth overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. With free agency just about over, the Giants spent a lot of money but did not fill every hole. New York did secure an inside linebacker, Blake Martinez, however, he still will not thrive in the pass-coverage role that the Giants desperately need to fill. This makes Isaiah Simmons still a suitable option at fourth overall.
But the Giants did not sign a bonafide-starter at the offensive tackle position either. Cameron Fleming was signed by New York with hopes of starting at right tackle opposite of Nate Solder, but that could change in next month’s draft, too.
The option for an offensive tackle or a linebacker (Isaiah Simmons) with the fourth overall pick is still there. Dave Gettleman and company will have a tough decision to make: take the best player available in Isaiah Simmons and change the face of your defense? Or address a major position of need with a stud offensive tackle prospect?
In the last three years, eight offensive tackles have been drafted in the first round:
First-round offensive tackles are volatile. Many of them miss significant time with injuries or struggle to play at a high level early on in their careers. Drafting an offensive tackle is a long-term upgrade. But it does not necessarily improve your team right away. Drafting an inside linebacker in the first round, however, has proven to have an instant impact.
In the last three years, nine inside linebackers have been selected in the first round:
Despite mostly poor Pro Football Focus grades at the position, the inside linebackers have been impactful in their first seasons. Many of them totaled over 100 tackles in more than one season and many played in the majority of their team’s games as starters on the defense.
If the Giants do decide to draft Isaiah Simmons, they will be getting the best and most versatile inside linebacker prospect of the last four years. He will have an instant impact on the team and significantly boost the defense’s talent level. However, drafting an offensive tackle is a long-term selection with an impact that might be more valuable but take longer to arrive.
Shoutout to @BigBlueUnited on Twitter for inspiring this article.
This post was published on 2020-03-26 19:18