The New York Giants are heading into another crucial NFL Draft. Set to take place Thursday night, this year’s draft features a plethora of talent on both sides of the ball that could instantly improve the Giants’ roster. New York will be picking fourth and thirty-sixth overall in the first two rounds of this year’s draft.
The debate at fourth overall has largely been between drafting Clemson linebacker Isaiah Simmons or one of the class’s top-ranked offensive tackles. But what should the Giants do in the second round? The thirty-sixth pick holds plenty of value, too. And the Giants could potentially grab a starting-caliber player there as well. So, based on positions of need and positional value, who should the Giants be targeting at thirty-sixth overall?
The Biggest Position of Need
The Giants desperately need to upgrade the center position. The thirty-sixth overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft is the perfect place to do that. New York can spend their first-round pick on an offensive tackle, as they are widely expected to, then solidify their line with a center in round two.
Jon Halapio is coming off of an injury and Spencer Pulley has spent most of the last two seasons as a backup. Dave Gettleman and the Giants know they need to upgrade the offensive line and that includes the center position along with offensive tackle.
Enticing Second-Round Prospects
There are a few center prospects that the Giants could target in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft. The top target of them all would be Michigan center, Cesar Ruiz.
Cesar Ruiz is a projected late first-round pick, but some predict he could slip into the second round. If the New York Giants could land Ruiz a thirty-six overall, he would be a home-run selection.
Another name that has been brought up in speculation with the Giants is Matt Hennessy. The Giants have met with Hennessy and shown interest in drafting him in the second round. The Temple center prospect grew up a lifelong Giants fan and would be a perfect fit with the Gmen.
Either one of these prospects would likely start for the Giants in Week One of the 2020 NFL season. Protecting Daniel Jones and creating running lanes for Saquon Barkley will be the Giants’ keys to success in 2020 and beyond. Shoring up the offensive line is the perfect way to accomplish this. The New York Giants should look to go offensive tackle in the first round and center in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft.