Could the Giants come away with a linebacker and offensive tackle early in the 2020 NFL Draft? If they do, they’ll have addressed two key areas of concern on the roster.
It’s imperative this team addresses the offensive line in this draft, but the defense also can use a playmaker.
The Giants hold 10 picks entering the draft, so the chances they’ll come away with a linebacker and offensive tackle are pretty good. And if draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. is right on his latest mock, the first two picks for Big Blue will be exactly what they need.
Kiper has remained consistent with his projection the Giants will take Clemson linebacker Isaiah Simmons with the fourth overall pick. In the second round, at No. 36, Kiper is projecting offensive tackle Austin Jackson out of USC.
Simmons can do it all and that’s what makes him so difficult to pass over.
He can line up on the D-Line, get after the quarterback, or drop back into pass coverage. And he can excel at all three.
The Giants could line Simmons up against tight ends in pass coverage and he’d hold his own. He’s arguably the second-best defensive player on the board, behind Chase Young.
The league is trending towards the dual-threat quarterback now more than ever, teams need playmakers on defense with the type of versatility Simmons has.
To me, if Simmons is there at No. 4, and the Giants decide not to trade the pick, I’d run, not walk to the phone and get him.
Here’s what Kiper had to add on Simmons:
“The Giants should take an offensive tackle with one of their first two picks, but I wouldn’t pass on Simmons, who has rare athleticism and versatility,” Kiper wrote. “Stick him at outside linebacker and let him chase down ball carriers, rush the passer and cover tight ends. Simmons never has to leave the field. New coach Joe Judge will love him.”
If the Giants go with Simmons in the first round, they’ll absolutely need to address the offensive line next.
If Daniel Jones is the quarterback of the present and future, general manager Dave Gettleman needs to make sure he’s protected.
This is a draft which also runs deep on talent for the offensive line. It could be too much for Gettleman to pass up on a “hog molly” in the first round. But if they hold off and wait for the second round, there’s options.
“I wrote earlier that the Giants needed to take an offensive tackle early, and Jackson could fall into their lap at No. 36,” Kiper wrote. “He played 1,680 straight snaps at left tackle for the Trojans over the last two seasons, but he is still a developmental project in my eyes. He’ll take some time to adjust, but he could be New York’s long-term starter at either tackle spot.”
I try not to get caught up in mock drafts, because, well, everyone’s doing them. But Kiper is one of the top draft gurus in the business.
One piece of advice I use to help navigate the draft process for the casual football fan, is to follow the experts.
So, when Kiper, Todd McShay, or any of the analysts or beat reporters all predict the Redskins will draft Chase Young, you go with it but leave a little room for the unpredictable.
Fifty-eight prospects are confirmed to participate virtually in the 2020 NFL Draft.
To view Kiper’s full two-round mock draft, CLICK HERE.
