There are many avenues the New York Giants can explore in the upcoming 2020 NFL Draft, but there’s one scenario that would set the team up with a top offensive tackle and a star linebacker.
First and foremost, this scenario depends on a few different factors:
- The Washington Redskins and Detroit Lions remain steady with the No. 2-3 picks
- The Lions don’t select a quarterback
- The Miami Dolphins/Chargers are willing to trade up for a quarterback (for the right price)
There’s evidence to suggest Washington will select Chase Young with the 2nd overall pick, and the Lions land Jeff Okudah at No. 3. The Giants now have all the leverage to trade away the 4th overall pick and put themselves in a position to add draft-capital to their arsenal of resources.
Ideally, Miami is willing to trade up to No. 4 and give up at least a second-round pick in the process, which would not only guarantee the Giants a shot at Clemons linebacker, Isaiah Simmons, but also an opportunity to orchestrate a trade up into the first round.
The New York Giants aren’t this crafty:
Dave Gettleman has never traded back in his entire career as a general manager in the NFL, but there’s never been an opportunity as golden as this for the Giants. They have two QB-needy teams waiting in the wings and need to take full advantage of that reality. Both Tua Tagovailoa and Justin Herbert will be on the board for the taking, and selling the idea that the Chargers are attempting to swap picks should be enough to convince Miami that they need to make a move…fast. It’s all about creating leverage in a high-pressure situation, so please, Gettleman, pick up the phone this time.
In the scenario that this all works out and the Giants add a second-rounder to their draft pick allocation, they will now have the ability to find a tackle in the first round. Pairing those second-rounders will give them enough ammo to move up and have a shot at prospects like Tristan Wirfs, Mekhi Becton, or Josh Jones.
This finely choreographed move would plug a quality rookie into one of the more expensive positions in football, and it would guarantee they find their defensive playmaker in Simmons. We can dream, right?