Introduction: The New York Giants will be selecting in the top 6 for the third consecutive year in the 2020 NFL draft. The Giants will have the 4th overall pick and many believe GM Dave Gettleman should strongly consider trading back for additional picks; especially if DE Chase Young is off the board. Now Gettleman has never traded back, but during the combine he proclaimed that the Giants are open for business. In my first edition of the 2020 NFL mock draft; I will play the GM for the Giants and call the shots for the draft. The Giants currently have 10 picks in the draft after receiving three compensation picks. In this scenario, I plan on being extremely aggressive and acquire additional picks and make a few trades. Here is what I would do if I was wearing the GM hat for the New York Giants in the 2020 NFL draft:
Round 1
I received a number of calls from other teams looking to move up and I needed to weigh all my options before the Giants are on the clock. Some offers were not good enough for me to move back out of the top 10, but one offer I did receive peeked my interest as I could move back a few spots and still get the player I’ve been targeting all along.
*****Trade Alert: The New York Giants have traded their 4th overall pick to the Los Angeles Chargers for their 1st round (6th overall), 2nd round pick (37thoverall), 4th round pick (#112) and a 2021 3rdround pick. By leap frogging over Miami, the Chargers select quarterback Tua Tagovailoa*****
6th Pick- (Trade w/Chargers)-Tristan Wirfs (Iowa) OT-6’5/320: In this mock draft scenario, I got Isaiah Simmons going 3rd overall to the Detroit Lions who decided not to trade back. So I turned my attention to the offensive tackle position and wanted a player who I felt was more prepared and ready to play as rookie. Wirfs checks all the boxes at the tackle position and his value has increased since the season ended. Wirfs played RT, but could transition well to LT in 2021. Wirfs has excellent balance, great footwork and uses his hands well as he has only given up 1 sack as a three starter. The top 4 tackles in this draft were graded extremely close, but in the end my selection was Wirfs. My plan is to play Wirfs at the RT for 2020 and move to LT in 2021; once Nate Solder is released.
Round 2
I believe due to the depth of the offensive tackles, wide receivers and the secondary in this draft; which could result in 16-18 picks out of 32 spots used on these positions. The result will push projected 1st round talent into the 2nd round. This is the main reason why I decided not to trade back into the 1st round and hold onto my picks at this time.
36th Pick- Tyler Biadasz (Wisconsin) C-6’4/315: I’m going all in on rebuilding the offensive line with my first two picks in this draft. I had the top three centers rated very closely and knew at the least one would be taken late in the 1st round and that ended up being Cesar Ruiz. That left me with either Tyler Biadasz or Lloyd Cushenberry to pick from. The center position has under-performed for a long time for the Giants and that needs to change. I decided on Biadasz, who comes from a long tradition of quality linemen from Wisconsin. Biadasz is extremely athletic and can also beat you with his power as well. Biadasz should be able to move right into the starting role at center as I do plan on re-signing Halapio as a backup.
37th Pick (Trade w/Chargers)-Terrell Lewis (Alabama) EDGE-6’5/262: The Giants did not re-sign Markus Golden who lead the team in sacks (10). I decided to address that by selecting his replacement with this pick in the 2nd round. If Lewis had stayed fully healthy throughout his college career, he could have been a top 15 pick entering the 2020 draft. Instead Lewis falls into the 2nd round and I decided to go with him over DE Curtis Weaver out of Boise State, because Lewis has demonstrated more athletic ability and he can rush the passer and also stop the run. Lewis would excel in any defensive alignment and provides playmaking ability. All reports indicate Lewis health concerns a non issue; as he could be an impact edge rusher in the NFL.
Round 3
Getting more calls as the 3rd round begins I’m getting interest from a couple of my players I’ve made available for trades. After a few offers I decided to pull the trigger on an offer involving wide receiver Golden Tate.
****Trade Alert: The New York Giants have traded WR Golden Tate and two 7th round picks (#218 & 247) to the Indianapolis Colts for their 2020 3rd round pick (#75) and 6th round pick (#193)
75th Pick (Trade w/Colts)-Chase Claypool: After trading Tate I decided to use the pick to get a big wide receiver to add to our offensive weapons. The Giants haven’t had a big productive WR since Plaxico Burress and that needs to change. Claypool never had an elite quarterback at Notre Dame; which hindered his production. However; all the tools are there for him to be a productive NFL receiver. Claypool has reliable hands with a big catch radius and has elite speed for his size (4.42). Claypool is a threat in the red zone; which has been a major problem for the Giants for a long time.
99th Pick (Compensation)-Jeremy Chinn (Southern Illinois) S-6’2/219: Antonio Bethea was a disaster and Michael Thomas has moved on. Chinn is a rangy safety who is considered a ball hawk. Chinn does a great job handling the middle of the field, but can also come into the box and make plays against the run. Chinn has elite size and speed for a safety and often will be utilized in blitzes packages. Chinn will be a solid pick in round 5 and will battle for playing time with Julian Love.
Round 4
I now have 8 picks in hand going into Day 3 and I want to package some picks and move back into earlier rounds, still getting a few calls on players I’ve made available and got two deals on the table; which includes a player and picks and the other for just picks. So I pulled the trigger and made two more trades before the 4th round begins.
****Trade Alert: The New York Giants have traded Center Spencer Pulley and a 7th round pick (#238) to the Chicago Bears for their 2020 5th round pick (#163).
****Trade Alert: The New York Giants have traded their 5th round pick (#150), 6th round pick (#183) and 7th round pick (#255) to the New Orleans Saints for their 4th round pick (#130).
110th Pick-Jonathan Greenard (Florida) DE/OLB-6’3/265: Williams and Tomlinson could be gone in 2021, so I decided to go get a solid two-way defensive end and Greenard was available. Greenard is not only a premiere pass rusher, but he is also one of the best defenders against the run. Greenard can be affective with his hand in the dirt or in a two point stance and I expect the Giants to utilize him in many different defensive packages.
112th Pick (Trade w/Chargers)-Lucas Niang (TCU) OT-6’7/330: Once again I decided to add a big tough OL who slipped in the draft due to an injury. Niang sustained an injury in week 7 in 2019 and missed the remainder of the season. Over the 20 previous games, Niang ranked best among offensive linemen in least pressures allowed and is a solid run and pass protector. Niang has fully recovered could slide into the starting role at RT in 2021 as its highly likely Nate Solder will be released before the start of the 2021 season.
130th Pick (Trade w/Saints)-Nick Coe (Auburn) DE/DT-6’4/285: Placing the franchise tag on Williams and the uncertainty of Davlin Tomlinson in 2021, I decided to add another defensive lineman here with selection of Nick Coe. Coe played in the shadows behind Derrick Brown who understandably received most of the headlines. Coe has good size and surprising agility to be equally effective against the run and as a pass rusher.
Round 5
163rd Pick-(Trade w/the Bears)-Antonio Gibson WR/RB-6’2/220: I wanted to give new OC Jason Garrett a toy to play with and give the Giants a bigger version of Dave Meggett. Gibson was utilized by the Tigers at the WR and RB positions in varies offensive packages. Gibson has explosive speed and good catch radius. Gibson role in the NFL could be utilized as an all-purpose weapon; lining up in the backfield, slot or on the outside. His ability to excel on special teams (kickoffs and punt return) makes him a valuable addition on Day 3.
Round 6
193rd Pick (Trade w/Colts)-Luq Barcoo (San Diego State) CB-6’1/180: Signed a solid CB in free agency in Bradberry and decided to add another cornerback who has a high ceiling and can develop slowing behind my current group of corners. Barcoo is a very active corner who transitioned from WR in high school over to corner at San Diego State. Barcoo has good length with long arms and plays aggressively against both the run and pass. Barcoo finished the 2019 season tied in interceptions with 9 by utilizing his ball hawking ability.
Final Thoughts: I was very aggressive as the Giants GM in this mock draft as I felt I needed to be. I wanted to get bigger in the trenches with this mock draft and I believe I was successful. I added three offensive linemen to help my two top offensive players (QB Daniel Jones and RB Saquon Barkley). Drafted a wide receiver and then picked up and diversified WR/RB combo threat that can provide big play potential in all three facets (run, pass and special teams). On defense, I used 5 picks and selected two defensive lineman, an outside linebacker, a cornerback and a safety. I traded back two spots in the 1st round for additional picks for 2020 & 2021. I traded away WR Golden Tate as I had concerns about his age (32) and saved an additional cap space of $3.3M and added $7M of dead money. I was able to trade center Spencer Pulley and saved an additional $2.75M in cap space with no dead money. So there you have it Giant fans, started with 10 picks before the draft and made four separate trades and finished with 10 total picks; while moving back into the 3rd & 4th rounds. The likelihood of any GM being this active is hard to imagine, but since this is my mock draft and I wanted to play GM; this is the end results. Keep an eye out for my final mock draft; which will be one week prior to the draft where I will project what I believe GM Dave Gettleman will do.