Articles

By Michael Stewart/@golferbad

Introduction: Continuing with our series of sleepers for the 2020 NFL draft. This time will turn our attention on the defensive side of the ball. The Giants GM Dave Gettleman should be able to find a diamond in the rough with the number of picks he’ll have available on draft day. Here are my top 10 defensive sleepers for the 2020 NFL draft.

Defense

  • DT Jordan Elliott (Missouri) 6’4/315: Elliot had a higher grade than standout DT Derrick Brown with a 92.4 in 2019. However; Elliott isn’t ranked or projected to go in the first two days in the draft. Elliott has an endless motor and plays until the whistle. Elliott often faces double teams and still makes plays behind the line of scrimmage. Elliott would be a solid pick in the draft.
  • DE Kendall Coleman (Syracuse) 6’3/266: Coleman’s name usually doesn’t come up as a top pass rusher in the draft, but make no mistake that Coleman has some skills. Coleman has a solid body frame and is extremely athletic with the ability to play in a 3 or 2 point stance. Coleman is projected to go in Day 3 somewhere between rounds 5-7.  
  • S-Greg Eisworth (Iowa State) 6’0/205: Eisworth is a name we need to keep an eye when the draft approaches. Eisworth has excellent vision and is a sound tackler in the open field. Eisworth has good size and has an edge to his game. Esiworth showed enough proficiency to cover big slot receivers, tight ends or running backs out of the backfield.
  • S-Jeremy Chinn (Southern Illinois) 6’3/212: Jeremy Chinn has been on my watch list for some time now and I actually have him going the Giants in my mock draft. Eisworth physical prowess combined with his ball skills have helped him record three interceptions in four consecutive seasons. Chinn performance in the combine propelled him from a late Day 3 to possibly a late Day 2 pick.
  • OLB-Jabril Cox (North Dakota State) 6’3/235: Cox possesses the prototypical size for the modern-day pro LB and contains high amounts of upside because of his athleticism, comfort in coverage and physicality when filling downhill as a run defender. Cox would add depth and special team value in the NFL.
  • CB-Luq Barcoo (San Diego State) 6’1/175: Barcoo quietly had a solid season for the Aztecs team. Barcoo finished with 8 interceptions and 21 pass breakups. At 6’1/175 Barcoo has a lanky frame and needs to add some strength, but all the intangibles are in place. Barcoo seems to be in the proper position, having the ability to make a play on the football.
  • LB-Logan Wilson (Wyoming) 6’2/250: Wilson is quick with his reaction and makes plays from sideline to sideline. Wilson may not have the length to consistently deconstruct blocks at the point of attack, but he does a nice job of evading blockers by beating them to the point of attack with speed and good instincts.
  • CB-Noah Igbinaghene (Auburn) 5’11/200:  Igbinoghene plays at high speed all the time and he is technically sound. Igbinoghene’s going to need significant refinement, but for a player who is about to enter just his third year at the position, he has a chance to provide depth in the secondary and on special teams
  • CB/S-Amik Robertson (Louisiana Tech) 5’9/165: Robertson is only a sleeper because of his size as he plays larger than that on the field. Robertson is a ball hawk with 14 interceptions and 34 pass breakups in his three years at Louisiana Teach. Robertson size would limit him more as a slot corner in the NFL, but he will be a nice fit as a nickel back with his elite coverage skills
  • OLB/DE-Tipa Galeai (Utah State) 6’4/235: Galeai is one of the nation’s most unknown pass rushers in college football. Galeai had issues at TCU which resulted to assault charges, but has put the past behind him. Galeai could add 10-15 pounds to his frame without hurting his quickness or speed; which will aid him at the next level

Final Thoughts: This should be a very interesting draft for the Giants and Dave Gettleman and many are wondering if he will pull out all the stops and think outside the box and make moves that he usually doesn’t do.

One particular move is possibly trading back in the 1st round to pile up more picks. There could be possibly 4 to 5 teams looking for their next franchise quarterback and if they are willing to overspend; which is what they will need to do, Then perhaps GM Dave Gettleman could trade back for the 1st time as a GM.