The New York Giants could execute a trade back tomorrow night in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft!
Before Clemson standout defender Isaiah Simmons became the favorite pick for the Giants in the 2020 NFL draft, most people believe trading back would be the ideal scenario. That initial instinct and gut feeling hold true months later with the NFL draft on Thursday night.
The reality is, the Giants have too many holes to allocate the fourth overall pick toward a linebacker who needs a creative coach to unlock his potential. Protecting their investments in Daniel Jones and Saquon Barkley should be the priority. Still, general manager Dave Gettleman believes in the theory of selecting the best player on the board at all times.
He recently stated that you cannot have too many great players at the same position, which I would argue against considering the Giants have a turnstile at left tackle and a lack of starting quality at specific defensive positions.
Plugging the most holes with first-round caliber talent seems to be the most efficient way for the Giants to complete their rebuild, which would suggest a trade back. Recent reports and rumors indicate that the Miami Dolphins could be looking to leapfrog into the top five to select either a quarterback or offensive tackle, according to NFL insider Ian Rapoport.
Sources: The #Dolphins have called the teams in front of them for a possible trade up from No. 5 and are gauging the price to come up to No. 3 to potentially take an offensive tackle. We could see a run on tackles in the Top 10 like never before.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 22, 2020
However, other reporters have also indicated that Gettleman is keen on moving back and adding draft capital to his arsenal of picks. Ideally, the Giants could still land Simmons and a quality offensive tackle, but it would take moving back up into the first round to do so. It is also possible that Gettleman takes a tackle in the second round, considering his positive history drafting lineman.
“Not only do you have to ask yourself if you picture this guy in a gold jacket,†Gettleman said Monday night to season-ticket holders during the Giants NFL draft preview show. “You also have to ask, ‘Is this guy I’m thinking of taking at four worthy of being the fourth pick of ANY draft?’â€
He’s one of the best evaluators in the trenches at the general manager position. Ultimately, we won’t know what will happen until the very last moment, but all signs point toward a potential trade back, which in my opinion, would be the best-case scenario.
#Giants are “extremely motivated” to trade down in the first round of the NFL Draft and have had “preliminary conversations with teams in hopes of setting up the parameters of a deal by Thursday night.” (@RVacchianoSNY)
— Giants Daily (@NYGDaily) April 21, 2020
Despite rumors indicating Gettleman could make a move, he’s never done so in any of the past drafts he’s managed.
“I haven’t traded back, because I have seen teams trade their way out of really good players,’’ Gettleman said.
Luckily, even if he does move back a few picks, he will be in line to land a really good player.