Disappointing
 
While I don’t personally scout these players it does seem that taking Thomas was a non-consensus pick amongst the 4 top tackles. Regardless, players of essentially equal value went at 11 and 13. There is no point to sucking if you are not going to get a difference maker. It’s disappointing that with two QBs being taken immediately behind them, that a trade down couldn’t be worked out. Gettleman needs to know how to bluff or induce a trade.  He needs to know how to get the Dolphins or Chargers to believe someone is coming to jump them.
 
As much as I like difference makers like Simmons, and would have preferred taking him at 1 and a solid tackle at 2, I understand the reason to take a tackle there. It’s just disappointing that they couldn’t trade down.
 
As we look forward to round 2, I expect the Giants to take either a wide receiver or edge rusher. Top edge rushers include AJ Epinosa from Iowa (my top choice) or Yetur Gross-Matos. At WR I’d hope to be able to draft Clemson’s Tee Higgins.  Unfortunately a lot of the “best players available” right now are running backs, defensive tackles and CBs. 3 positions that Giants should not look to add this high.


​-Ari Glass

The Giants pick 4th tonight, their reward for sucking last year. Unfortunately they didn’t suck enough in a late season game against the Redskins where a meaningless win will likely prevent them from getting start pass rusher Chase Young. A good edge rusher is likely their biggest need. They had a bad pass rush last year and lost their number one sacker in Markus Golden.
 
Unfortunately that is only one of many needs.  The other big need is at tackle.  There are 4 very good tackles that will go early in the draft.
 
It is universally believed that QB Joe Burrow will go first to the Bengals (unless the Dolphins surprise by trading for the pick). Chase Young will likely go to the Skins at #2.  If things go according to “plans” CB Jeff Okudah will likely go to the Lions at 3. But this is where things could get interesting. Either the Skins or the Lions, but more likely the Lions could trade down for a team that really does believe in Alabama QB Tua Tagovailoa.  On the small chance it’s the Redskins there is a possibility of the Giants getting Chase Young. This is very unlikely.  More likely they stay pat. If the Lions trade for that pick the Giants need to hope for a team like the Raiders or Jags trading up if they really like Justin Herbert.
 
The Giants really want to trade down, because not much separates Jedrick Wills (most likely pick), Tristan Wirfs, Andrew Thomas and Mekhi Becton. Obviously if they could trade down and still get one of them and pick up other picks (perhaps a third rounder to replace the one they idiotically lost in the Leonard Williams trade), it would be great. The big wild card is Clemson LB Isaiah Simmons, who is probably the best player available with the pick but harder to justify with such big holes on the offensive line.
 
Given Gettleman’s general lack of understanding about valuations, I am not hopeful we get this right. But this year will be tough. It all comes down to there being a market for both Justin Herbert and Tua. If they are both coveted, things could happen. If they are not, the Giants will likely take a guy at 4 that looks similar to what they could get at 11. What a waste of a horrible 2019. The Giants were hurt by COVID-19 as the pro day workouts is where people would have fallen in love with Tua and Herbert. Too many questions remain without those private workouts.
 
They should try to get a WR in round 2 or 3 (supplemental pick) as this draft is deep there and the Giants lack good depth there. They can generally pick the best available player because they have holes virtually everywhere.


​-Ari Glass