The New York Giants are heading into the 2020 season with questions remaining on the offensive line. Despite drafting Andrew Thomas with the fourth overall pick, the continuity in the trenches has yet to be established. General manager Dave Gettleman made it a priority to solve the offensive line once and for all, but it will take time with the injection of youth.
One developmental player the Giants landed was third-round pick, Matt Peart, out of the University of Connecticut. While he’s projected to play right tackle for the Giants, he actually fits the left tackle spot better. His frame and reach make him an ideal fit for the position, after putting on a bit more muscle mass. However, Thomas is the expected heir to the throne on Daniel Jones’ blindside, with Peart hopefully developing on the right side.
The New York Giants gained a high-upside player in the UConn product:
Peart performed at the top of the combine class in 2020, finishing in the 90th percentile of all tackles. His reach, which was the longest at the combine, was 36 5/8-inches. At 6-foot-6, Gettleman and new head coach Joe Judge are excited to see how his frame grows into itself. Some time in the weight room and working with NFL level coaches should do the trick.
There’s a lot to like when it comes to Peart, considering he was a starter as a freshman in 2016. He has played both left and right tackle, starting 12 games on the left side in 2017 and the remainder of his games at right tackle. In his senior season last year, he allowed 2 sacks, 1 quarterback hit, and four quarterback hurries over 415 pass-blocking snaps. One positive trait is his health history. Peart never missed a game due to an injury in college.
His athletic ability is simply off the charts. Playing soccer, basketball, track, and lacrosse in high school, he has shown the ability to adapt quickly to different sports. That should give him a competitive advantage at tackle, something the Giants have desperately needed with lackluster performances in recent years.
The New York Giants are also dealing with Nate Solder, who is coming off an extremely poor season where he allowed 11 sacks and five penalties. With his dead cap decreasing to just $6 million in 2021, the expectation is that the Giants will release him and save the salary. Peart isn’t ready to start any games just yet, but if he fills out quickly, Judge could give him an opportunity to showcase his skills this upcoming season.