When the New York Giants defeated the Miami Dolphins on Sunday at MetLife Stadium, many fans were torn, believing Big Blue had just potentially cost themselves the No. 2 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft and a chance at Ohio State edge rusher Chase Young.
Well, we’re here to tell you to breathe easy because that did not happen.
Although the Giants improved to 3-11, which is the same record as both the Washington Redskins and Miami Dolphins, their head-to-head wins over those teams don’t mean a thing. At least not yet.
NFL Draft order tiebreakers are weighted more heavily on strength of schedule, which means the Giants are still currently projected to select No. 2 overall.
Pick 2 – Giants
Record: 3-11 (.490)
Previous week: No. 2
This week’s game: at Redskins
Biggest needs: OT, edge rusher, DBSure, if that was Eli Manning’s sendoff, it was nice and all, but the Giants have entered the Draft Order Danger Zone by beating Miami. They remain in the No. 2 slot this week, but they’ll be handing a division rival a leg up in the battle for draft positioning if they knock off the ‘Skins on Sunday. That’s significant considering the teams have similar needs.
Both the Dolphins (.500) and Redskins (.513) have had a more difficult stretch of schedule, giving the Giants the edge going into Week 16. However, the No. 2 pick will be very much up for grabs when New York and Washington play on Sunday, with the loser actually benefiting more than the winner.
It’s a strange and precarious situation the Giants now find themselves in, but at least for now, with two weeks remaining this season, they remain slated to select second overall.
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