After two questionable performances at the NFL Draft, New York Giants general manager Dave Gettleman may have just “nailed” the draft on his third (and possibly final) attempt.
Trevor Sikkema of The Draft Network was not a fan of Gettleman’s first two drafts. In 2018, in a quarterback-rich class, the Giants took a running back, Saquon Barkley, second overall. The next year, in a defensive stud-laden class, Gettleman drafted Daniel Jones, a quarterback, sixth overall.
“I’ll be honest, I’ve taken my fair shots at Giants general manager Dave Gettleman’s draft selections in the past,” writes Sikkema. “After taking a running back at No. 2 in 2018, drafting Daniel Jones in the top 10 in 2019 and some questionable defensive picks beyond that, Gettleman has been on my ‘what in the world is this man doing’ list.”
This year, with the fourth pick in an draft where left tackles were in abundance, Gettleman made the right choice by selecting Georgia’s Andrew Thomas.
Sikkema likes not only that selection but the selection of UConn’s Matt Peart in the third round:
“In a stacked OT class, Thomas’ allurement was in his high level of play and readiness. He was a three-year starter in the SEC and went up against some of the best pass rushers college football has to offer; Thomas stood the test of time against them,” Sikkema wrote.
“But Thomas wasn’t the Giants’ only offensive line addition in the top 100. New York double dipped on their O-line need with UConn’s Matthew Peart with the 99th pick in the third round. Peart needs to work on his fundamentals and how technical he with his massive wingspan, but when he can put it all together, he’s extremely hard to get around. Even if he doesn’t play right away, Peart is exactly the kind of player the Giants want on the roster now to develop as much as they can.”
In Round 2, Gettleman may have landed the steal of the draft in Alabama safety Xavier McKinney.
“After passing on Isaiah Simmons at the top of the first round, the Giants added a player who not only can play on the back end but has a lot of experience roaming around the linebacker level and in the slot. Alabama coach Nick Saban asked a lot of McKinney, and McKinney continued to deliver from 2018-19. Adding McKinney’s athleticism and versatility to a safety group that already has Jabrill Peppers and now Julian Love should be a home run,” Sikkema wrote.
Sikkema also pointed out that fourth round selection Darnay Holmes of UCLA and seventh rounder Chris Williamson will add to an already talented secondary and that fifth round selection, Oregon guard Shane Lemieux will add depth and flexibility to the offensive line.
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