The New York Giants currently hold the No. 4 overall selection in this month’s NFL Draft. The conventional wisdom across the net is that the Cincinnati Bengals will select LSU quarterback Joe Burrow first overall, followed by the Washington Redskins taking Ohio State edge rusher Chase Young second and the Detroit Lions selecting Young’s teammate, cornerback Jeff Okudah, third.
The Giants would then be left with a choice of Clemson linebacker/everyman Isaiah Simmons, all four of the top offensive tackles, several speedy wide receivers and their choice of dominating defensive tackles.
But, what if the order in front of them was upset by a trade? The Miami Dolphins, in search of a franchise quarterback, have reportedly been considering trading up from No. 5 to ensure they get their man.
Touchdown Wire’s Doug Farrar posted an interesting scenario in which Miami does pull the trigger on a deal with the Bengals for the top overall pick, but it really doesn’t impact the Giants very much.
Farrar believes Miami would take Burrow first overall instead of Cincinnati, who themselves grabbed Oregon’s Justin Herbert with the fifth pick.
At No. 2, Farrar has Washington taking Okudah, leaving Young for the Lions at No. 3. That might make sense since the Redskins have a solid front seven and could benefit more by taking Okudah, who is predicted to be a perennial Pro Bowl corner. There’s no way Lions GM Bob Quinn passes on Young, unless he also deals the pick.
I wonder if the Giants would attempt to swap picks with Detroit in a play to land Young themselves. Couldn’t hurt to try, but the cost might be too high.
At No. 4, Farrar predicts the Giants will do what most other believe they will — select Simmons.
The Giants signed former Packers linebackers Blake Martinez and Kyle Fackrell in the 2020 offseason, but given the lack of talent Big Blue had at the position last season, and given Martinez’s and Fackrell’s limitations, it wouldn’t be unwise for general manager Dave Gettleman to go back to the linebacker well with the fourth overall pick. Not that Simmons is just a linebacker — in 2019, he played 299 snaps in the box, 262 snaps at slot cornerback, 132 snaps at free safety, and 116 snaps at defensive line. He did it all at a very high level, and he would plug in nicely in all those spots for the Giants, because the Giants have needs for talent in all those spots.
I’m not against the Simmons pick. In fact, he could end up being the difference maker the Giants need on defense. But to not try to move back to a) acquire more draft capital and b) still get a top left tackle would be a disservice by Gettleman. He may decide that Simmons is simply too good to pass on even with a sensible trade offer on the table.
There is also the scenario in which the Giants trade back few spots and Simmons is still on the board. That would be a coup.
[lawrence-related id=644121,644140,644115]