New York Giants general manager Dave Gettleman admitted that he fell into “full bloom love” with running back Saquon Barkley ahead of the 2018 NFL Draft, so he selected him at No. 2 overall.
A year ago, Gettleman once again fell in love, this time with Duke quarterback Daniel Jones, who he shockingly selected at No. 6 overall.
So, who does Gettleman love here in 2020, where the Giants have the No. 4 overall selection? SNY’s Ralph Vacchiano reports that it’s Iowa offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs.
Gettleman vowed to fix that on his first day as GM back in December of 2017, and he hasn’t done a good job keeping that promise. He’s added some nice pieces, but somehow he’s never drafted the young, stud tackle that can anchor his line for years. This is his chance.
There are four good ones at the top of the draft, including one — Iowa’s Tristan Wirfs — that sources say he loves. The others are good and possible choices too, including Alabama’s pro-ready Jedrick Wills and Louisville’s massive Mekhi Becton. The Giants could even trade down and still get a good one.
With several stud defenders also in the mix at No. 4 overall, some may argue that Gettleman will again pass on an offensive tackle in hopes of landing a future gold jacket player on the defensive side of the ball. However, Vacchiano adds that the overall consensus is that the Giants will remain in place and take an offensive tackle in Round 1.
It is by no means a lock this early in the process, but the consensus of sources who spoke to SNY is that the Giants will take a tackle at No. 4, and quite possibly take another offensive lineman — likely a center — in Round 2.
“They loaded up on defense last year and in free agency,” said one NFL personnel executive. “(Gettleman) knows he has to fix that line now, otherwise he’s going to waste Barkley’s best years and delay Jones’ growth.”
It makes sense that this would be the Giants’ direction and Wirfs certainly fits the mold of a player who could anchor their offensive line for years to come.
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