The mock drafts keep coming in and now we are seeing more realistic ones that contain trades along with some more creative thinking.
Veteran NFL writer Peter King of NBC Sports has chimed in with his mock that contains a very likely trade at the top of the draft order.
King has the Cincinnati Bengals and Washington Redskins staying in place and selecting LSU quarterback Joe Burrow and Ohio State edge rusher Chase Young with the first two picks.
Detroit, who has made their intentions to make a deal very public, swings a trade with Miami at No. 3, getting the 5th and 39th picks in this year’s draft in return. Miami chooses Oregon quarterback Justin Herbert at three (although King admitted he had no inside knowledge of Miami’s plans) and the Lions get their man — Ohio State cornerback Jeff Okudah — at No. 5.
In the middle of all of that, the New York Giants stay put and bypass Clemson linebacker Isaiah Simmons in favor of an offensive tackle, Tristan Wirfs of Iowa.
“I would bet there are 25 different rankings of the top five tackles on the 32 NFL draft boards—Wirfs, Jedrick Wills of Alabama, Mekhi Becton of Louisville, Andrew Thomas of Georgia, Josh Jones of Houston,” writes King.
“The Giants, by the way, would trade down for a good offer; Dave Gettleman has said no to draft trades for so long, but this year those in the top 10 tell me he’d definitely do it. I don’t think there’s a great demand to move up. The Giants need a lot of help on defense, and you probably could defend an Isaiah Simmons pick here. But these are Gettleman’s own words from Friday: “You know my theory. It’s very, very difficult for Saquon [Barkley] to run the ball if he doesn’t have holes. It’s going to be difficult for Daniel [Jones] to throw the ball when he’s on his back. We’ll continue to build the offense line.” Cam Fleming is the band aid right tackle for New York, but he’s more likely a swing tackle and insurance policy, with 26 starts in six years. Wirfs or Jerrick Wills of Alabama would likely play right away at right tackle for New York.”
Hmmm. The No. 4 pick for a right tackle? I’m not buying. If I can’t move down via a trade, I’m not taking a right tackle at that spot. I’d take Simmons.
The means Nate Solder is going to be at left tackle again and that is a wasted opportunity by the Giants. Unless the plan is to move Wirfs to left tackle later in the season or in 2021, this pick does not really help the Giants very much in the short term.
A player picked at No. 4 has to have an impact. The Giants have Fleming and Nick Gates at right tackle at the moment and both appear capable. Left tackle is here they are lacking. Solder can no longer handle the speed rush and will recharges with protecting Jones’ blind side. If he is the starting left tackle in 2020, the Giants are no better than they were last year.
Simmons will hit the field and make an impact form the second he gets out of his car in East Rutherford.
I can only defend the OT pick at No. 4 if that player is going to play left tackle. There are plenty of right tackles that can had in the mid-to-late rounds in this draft. It’s either a trade back or Simmons at 4 for me.
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