It’s about time the New York Giants did two things early in the 2020 NFL Draft — find a franchise left tackle and a playmaking linebacker. They can definitely cross one of those off their bucket list this year with the No. 4 overall selection in the draft.
The one player the Giants will not be able to pass up is Clemson’s all-terrain linebacker/safety Isaiah Simmons, who wowed onlookers at the NFL Combine last week. He could end up being the Giants’ new Brad Van Pelt, Jesse Armstead and Carl Banks all wrapped up into one neat package.
ESPN’s Todd McShay believes the Giants will get Simmons at No. 4.
The Giants defense needs everything, and everything is exactly what Simmons brings to the table. He was a factor in every single statistical area in 2019 for the Tigers, and his blazing 4.39-second time in the 40, wild 39-inch vertical and ridiculous 11-foot broad jump took Indianapolis by storm. It was one of the best workouts we’ve ever seen from a linebacker. A converted safety, Simmons fits what NFL teams are looking for today and can affect so many areas of the game. New York handed 28.2 points per game to opponents last season, more than all but two other teams. Let’s jump start the defensive rebuild with a true difference-maker.
But Simmons’ combine performance has made him a hot commodity and he may not make it to the fourth pick come April 23. Cincinnati selects first, and if they don’t take LSU quarterback Joe Burrow, either Washington or whoever they trade with will take him at No. 2.
If the Bengals do select Burrow, then the Redskins are said to be waffling between Ohio State edge rusher Chase Young and Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. Detroit picks third and they will take Young if he’s there. If he’s not, the consensus is they’ll take either Simmons or Ohio State CB Jeff Okudah.
The Giants would love to have Simmons at No. 4. If he and Young are both gone, they could likely take either of the two massive, athletic left tackles — Iowa’s Tristan Wirfs or Mekhi Becton of Louisville.
Either way, the Giants can’t really lose at No. 4. The other scenario in play is a trade. That would mean no Young and Simmons for sure and, depending on how far they trade back, no Wirfs or Becton, either.
But that doesn’t mean they can’t get a playmaking linebacker and offensive tackle in the mid-first round and through the second round.
Oklahoma’s Kenneth Murray or Patrick Queen of LSU are first round talents that could be had in the teens, or later. In Round Two, the Giants can target Wisconsin’s Zack Baun or Troy Dye of Oregon.
Take prospects to keep an eye on in the the first round are Georgia’s Andrew Thomas, Jedrick Wills, Jr. of Alabama and Houston’s Josh Jones.
The options are all there for general manager Dave Gettleman to improve in these two areas, it’s just a matter of how he wants to approach it. If Simmons is there at four however, I don’t see them passing on him.
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