New York Giants general manager Dave Gettleman told reporters that he’d “seriously entertain” trading back from the No. 4 overall slot in next week’s NFL Draft.
Gettleman says he will make trade calls and hopes to have parameters of any potential deal for No. 4 in place before Giants are on the clock.
— Art Stapleton (@art_stapleton) April 17, 2020
Asked who he’d prefer at No. 4 should he stay there, Gettleman said that he’s “still working through it”.
The pressure is on for Gettleman to follow through on his primary vow when he first took over the team in December of 2017 — to rebuild the offensive line.
#NYG Dave Gettleman on fixing o-line: "Is it a pressure point? To a degree. I'm not gonna lie."
Is Nate Solder definitely LT? "The bottom line is, we’re going to bring in people to compete. Everybody’s got to compete. We’re not afraid to have too many players at one position."— Kimberly Jones (@KimJonesSports) April 17, 2020
The road map to any championship club is through the offensive line. All three of his predecessors — George Young, Ernie Accorsi and Jerry Reese — all understood that.
More Dave Gettleman on the offensive line: "All the teams I’ve been with that have gone to Super Bowls, the offensive lines has been the tone setters. We’re going to do everything we can to replicate that."
— Ralph Vacchiano (@RVacchianoSNY) April 17, 2020
There are many who still believe Gettleman could be in “full bloom love” with Clemson linebacker Isaiah Simmons, a linebacker who can play safety, and may decide to just grab him at No. 4 and move on.
#Giants #Gettleman on Simmons' versatility – there are a lot of college players like that….college teams use their unique skill sets in many ways that aren't standard…"It's up to us to figure out how that player … fits the NY Football Giants."
— GiantsWFAN (@giantswfan) April 17, 2020
The Clemson coaches figured it out, so the Giants would likely do the same if they picked him, but it sure sounds more and more like the offensive line is going to be the priority next week at the draft.
Which player, or players, will it be, though?
Jedrick Wills of Alabama seems to be gaining steam in the first round, and a center (Michigan’s Carlos Ruiz or Temple’s Matt Hennessy) could be the pick in the second round.
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