Tag: Matt Peart

2020 NFL Draft grades: Giants earn A for Xavier McKinney

Draft Wire has released its grades for second- and third-round picks in the 2020 NFL Draft, and the New York Giants are passing.

With their second pick (No. 36 overall) in the 2020 NFL Draft, the New York Giants selected Alabama safety Xavier McKinney, who many had pegged as the top safety prospect in the entire draft.

Not only was McKinney ranked either No. 1 or No. 2 at his position on most big boards, he also fills a dire need for the Giants, who lacked a true option next to Jabrill Peppers.

Luke Easterling of Draft Wire agrees and handed out another strong grade to Big Blue.

Another player who could have easily come off the board in the first round, McKinney is the first safety off the board, and gives the Giants a fantastic match of value and need here.

A versatile defensive weapon who can make plays all over the field, McKinney loves contact, and has the athleticism to cover in space and hang with any pass-catcher in coverage.

McKinney’s intelligence and instincts may be his best qualities, and that’s why he’ll be a huge upgrade over anything the Giants currently have at his position. He’s the perfect defender for today’s NFL, and a bargain this late.

GRADE: A

Easterling was equally impressed with the Giants’ selection of UConn offensive tackle Matt Peart in Round 3 (No. 99 overall).

After taking Andrew Thomas in the first round, the Giants added some more offensive line help through a high-upside developmental target.

Peart is a lanky tackle whose impressive length, quickness in pass protection and fluidity when climbing to the second level make him an intriguing long-term project for the Giants to develop on their offensive line. He’s definitely raw, but his upside projects him as a nice piece to have for the long haul.

GRADE: B+

The Giants had also earned a grade of B+ from Draft Wire for their selection of Georgia offensive tackle Andrew Thomas in Round 1, so there’s a lot of love flowing for general manager Dave Gettleman right now.

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Twitter reacts to Giants’ selection OT Matt Peart

With their third pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, the New York Giants selected UConn OT Matt Peart and this is how Twitter reacted.

With the New York Giants’ third pick (No. 99  overall) in this year’s draft, they again addressed the offensive line again by selecting UConn Offensive Tackle Matt Peart.

That’s right, another hog molly for general manager Dave Gettleman.

This selection was a compensation pick that Big Blue received for losing Landon Collins in free agency to the Washington Redskins. This was the Giants lone 3rd round pick after they traded what ended up being the 68th pick to the Jets in the middle of the 2019 season for Leonard Williams.

After taking offensive tackles with two of their first three picks in this draft, let’s see what everyone on twitter was saying about the Giants selection of the UConn Product:

Peart’s roots in the Bronx make him a nice hometown guy for the Big Blue fans to root for:

There is already talks about where Peart will fit into the Giants plans:

Some were surprised the Giants didn’t go in the direction of another need such as wide receiver or center:

Here’s a former Giant offensive lineman giving love for the Big Blue selection:

 

And even the Giants twitter account had some fun about the Giants’ strong draft so far:

Nothing matters until we see these youngsters on the field, but it certainly feels like the Giants are having a strong draft to this point.

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Giants draft OT Matt Peart: 5 things to know

The New York Giants selected UConn’s Matt Peart in Round 3 of the 2020 NFL Draft, and here are five things to know about the tackle.

The New York Giants selected UConn offensive tackle Matt Peart with the 99th pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. The selection was a compensatory pick awarded to the Giants for losing safety Landon Collins in free agency in 2019.

Giants fans had to wait out a total of 62 selections in between their last pick (No. 36, Xavier McKinney) and the selection of the 6-foot-7, 320-pound Peart.

Here are five things to know about Peart:

Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

Hails from Jamaica

Peart’s last name is pronounced PAYRT. His family moved from Kingston, Jamaica to The Bronx when he was four years old. Originally a basketball player, Peart earned a scholarship to The Governor’s Academy in Byfield, Massachusetts.

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2020 NFL Draft: Giants select OT Matt Peart in Round 3

In Round 3 of the 2020 NFL Draft, the New York Giants select UConn offensive lineman Matt Peart.

With their third-round pick (No. 99 overall) in the 2020 NFL Draft, the New York Giants select UConn offensive lineman Matt Peart.

Peart becomes the second offensive lineman taken by the Giants thus far, joining first-round pick Andrew Thomas.

The 6-foot-7, 318-pound Peart is the living, breathing definition of “hog molly.” His arms were measured as the longest at the NFL Combine (36 5/8”) and he’s extremely athletic for his size. And although he’s considered a developmental tackle, Peart has an extremely high ceiling and with the right coaching, could become a long-term answer at right tackle

Here is what our friends at Draft Wire had to say about Peart:

A high-ceiling tackle prospect with a lengthy frame and commendable athleticism for his size, Peart has the physical tools to be a high-quality offensive lineman at the next level. Though he’s pretty raw and can add some more muscle to his frame, the upside he offers should help his draft stock a bit.

It’s unlikely that Peart starts for the Giants in 2020 barring injury and he will require substantial coaching. He did not start playing football until High School and is still considered very raw, but will benefit from learning under Marc Colombo.

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Broncos mock for Day 2 of the 2020 NFL Draft 

Who will the Broncos select on Day 2 of the NFL Draft? Check out this new mock draft!

In his two-round mock for Day 2 of the 2020 NFL Draft, Draft Wire’s Luke Easterling has the Denver Broncos selecting another Alabama prospect.

After selecting wide receiver Jerry Jeudy in the first round, the Broncos select Crimson Tide defensive lineman Raekwon Davis (No. 46) in the second round of Easterling’s mock.

After that, Denver adds some help on the offensive line by drafting UConn offensive tackle Matt Peart (No. 77) in the third round. The Broncos then address the secondary, selecting La. Tech cornerback Amik Robertson (No. 83).

With their final pick in the third round, Denver lands Ohio State linebacker Malik Harrison (No. 95). It wouldn’t be surprising to see the Broncos target linebackers today after missing out on the top LBs on Thursday.

Denver will have a lot of draft capital to work with so GM John Elway will likely make a trade or two. We put together lists of seven cornerbacks and eight offensive linemen the Broncos should target today.

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Colts’ updated mock draft after signing TE Trey Burton

How might things change after signing Trey Burton?

The Indianapolis Colts are expected to sign veteran tight end Trey Burton and while the move might not make waves around the league, it certainly could have an impact on how the team goes about the 2020 NFL draft.

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While the Colts aren’t afraid to use a Day 2 pick on a tight end after signing Burton, they might not have to if they don’t feel the need. They can spend those Day 2 picks on other positions just as easily now.

With the new information of Burton agreeing to terms and using Pro Football Network’s mock draft simulator, here’s an updated mock draft for the Colts:

Rounds 2–3

No. 34 (from WAS) | Kristian Fulton | CB | LSU
No. 51 (from DAL) | Michael Pittman Jr. | WR | USC
No. 75 | Matt Peart | OT | Connecticut

Analysis: In my original final mock draft for the Colts, we traded back from 34 with the Vikings. This time, I traded back from No. 51 with the Cowboys while adding a fourth-round pick (No. 123).

Though the Colts don’t have a major need at cornerback, they do have interest in Fulton. His ability to work in press and make plays on the ball are exceptional. He’s a strong athlete with physicality at the line and would be a solid addition to the secondary. The selection of Pittman Jr. is a well-documented one. He’s a perfect fit for the Colts offense to work on the boundary while likely competing for the WR2 role behind T.Y. Hilton upon arrival.

Without taking a tight end this early, the selection of Peart gives the Colts their eventual starting left tackle once Anthony Castonzo leaves. Pear might need some cleanup in pass protection, but he brings insane length, strong movement skills and a mauler’s mentality to fit perfectly in the offensive line.

Rounds 4–7

No. 122 | James Morgan | QB | FIU
No. 123 (from DAL) | Alton Robinson | EDGE | Syracuse
No. 160 | Josiah Deguara | TE | Cincinnati
No. 193 | Tanner Muse | S | Clemson
No. 197 | Sewo Olonilua | RB | TCU

Analysis: On the final day of the draft, the Colts get an extra pick and while Chris Ballard could very well wind up with more than eight selections, they still get some solid value here.

The quarterback pick stays the same with Morgan. He has a high ceiling given his size, arm talent and character. However, he will need to sit a season to develop his instincts and prepare for life in the NFL. Fortunately, the Colts have Philip Rivers to start in 2020.

With the pick from Dallas, the Colts add some depth and upside to the defensive end room. Robinson needs work but he’s a strong athlete with some twitch and juice to his game. He’s a solid Day 3 pick to work in sub-packages while he develops his game.

Even though the Colts signed Burton, they can still take a tight end. Deguara is a sleeper in this class out of Cincinnati. He would be a solid depth piece competing for a spot on the roster while working on special teams and refining his route running.

The pair of sixth-round picks in Muse and Olonilua give the Colts depth at their respective positions. Muse is a strong athlete to work as a safety or in the box while also providing work on special teams. Olonilua would provide depth and potential goal-line work behind Marlon Mack, Nyheim Hines and Jordan Wilkins.

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Colts’ 7-round mock draft includes a trade back

A 7-round mock that includes a trade back.

The Indianapolis Colts are nearly a week away from the 2020 NFL draft where they will be looking to add both young talent and depth to the roster.

Looking to take advantage of a wide-open AFC South division, the Colts have seven picks currently in the draft. However, that could change quickly if Chris Ballard decides to use some of that capital to move back and add more picks.

In this latest seven-round mock draft using Pro Football Network’s mock draft simulator, we traded back at No. 44 to add an extra fourth-round pick. Here’s how the draft broke down:

Rounds 2–3

No. 34 (from WAS): WR Laviska Shenault Jr, Colorado
*Traded No. 44 to Buffalo for Nos. 51 and 123*
No. 51 (from BUF): OT Matt Peart, Connecticut
No. 75: TE Adam Trautman, Dayton

Analysis: The pick of Shenault was a relatively easy one. There weren’t any quarterbacks truly worth grabbing at No. 34 and the upside of Shenault gives the Colts a potential WR1 to carry the room after the departure of T.Y. Hilton. Trading back an adding a fourth-round pick seems like Ballard-type move, and we were still able to get a talented but developmental tackle in Peart, who would be the successor to Anthony Castonzo. In the third round, Trautman is a wonderful move tight end to add to the offense as his physical traits and ability to catch the ball are extremely intriguing.

Rounds 4–6

No. 122: QB Anthony Gordon, Washington State
No. 123 (from BUF): CB Bryce Hall, Virginia
No. 160: LB Justin Strnad, Wake Forest
No. 193: RB Michael Warren II, Cincinnati
No. 197: S Tanner Muse, Clemson

Analysis: The Colts get a ton of value and depth here on Day 3. Gordon is one of the most intriguing developmental quarterback prospects in the draft and would have time to sit behind Philip Rivers and learn under Frank Reich. Getting Hall in the fourth round is strong value as a cornerback who thrives in zone coverage and would be a perfect player to push for a role on the boundary with Xavier Rhodes. Strnad fits the bill of a rangy linebacker that the Colts like. He would work on special teams in addition to providing depth in the middle of the field while Warren fills into the Jonathan Williams role and the uber-athletic Muse provides strong depth in the secondary while also working on special teams.

This is a great 7-round mock draft for Broncos

This is an excellent seven-round NFL mock draft for the Broncos.

In his latest seven-round 2020 NFL mock draft for Draft Wire, Luke Easterling has the Denver Broncos selecting South Carolina defensive lineman Javon Kinlaw with the 15th overall pick in the first round.

Star receivers Jerry Jeudy (No. 11; New York Jets), CeeDee Lamb (No. 12; Las Vegas Raiders) and Henry Ruggs (No. 13; San Francisco 49ers) were all off the board before Denver’s pick in Easterling’s mock.

After landing Kinlaw in the first round, the Broncos add receiver K.J. Hamler No. 46) in the second round. After that, Denver adds cornerback Amik Robertson (No. 77) and offensive tackle Matt Peart (No. 83).

So with their first four picks in Easterling’s mock, the Broncos address three big positons of need (receiver, cornerback and offensive line) after landing Kinlaw — a great value pick — in the first round. Not bad, not bad at all!

In the rest of Easterling’s mock, Denver goes on to select two more offensive linemen, a linebacker, a safety, an edge defender and another receiver. To view Draft Wire’s complete NFL mock draft, click here.

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A OT prospect for the Jaguars in top-3 round of the 2020 NFL Draft

The Jags could go with an OT early in the draft and a player like Andrew Thomas certainly fits their mold of a player.

The draft is under two weeks away and is set to be a virtual experience like no other when looking at how the NFL has conducted the annual experience in the past. With that being the case, we started our series of articles this weekend in which we’ll be looking at early-round options at the Jacksonville Jaguars’ positions of need starting with cornerback. 

Now, it’s time to switch over to the offensive side as the Jags have holes there, too. The position we’ll start with in particular is the offensive tackle spot, where there are several options for the Jags to add. Here are some prospects in each of the Top-3 rounds who could be on the Cardiac Cat’s radar: 

Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Round 1 – Andrew Thomas, Georgia

At 6-foot-5, 315-pounds, Andrew Thomas is exactly the type of offensive lineman the Jags gravitate towards and it’s hard to envision them not being high on him. Jawaan Taylor (6-foot-5, 312-pounds) and Cam Robinson (6-foot-6, 322-pounds) are prime examples of their love for massive Southeastern Conference linemen who bring a gritty mentality to the field.

Coming from the running backs capital of the world in Athens, Thomas made a name for himself by paving lanes for D’Andre Swift and company. He’s no slouch as a pass protector either but needs to clear up some things with hand placement and his weight distribution (can be a leaner at times). However, a lot of his issues can be fixed with coaching and Doug Marrone (a former OL coach himself) could certainly help him maximize his potential.

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Colts’ 7-round mock draft 4.0

A full mock draft three weeks out.

The Indianapolis Colts are just a few weeks away from the 2020 NFL draft, which is still scheduled to begin on April 23. As those weeks approach quickly, we will be looking at which prospects might be targets for Indy.

As we enter the month of April, we are getting somewhat of a clearer picture on how the Colts might go about their draft. It’s still a crapshoot, especially this year with everything going on, but it is still fun to take a look at some mock drafts and see what type of hauls the Colts might wind up with.

Here’s a look at another full mock draft for the Colts with the big event just under three weeks away using Pro Football Network’s mock draft simulator:

Colorado wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. runs for a first down against Arizona State during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

No. 34 | Laviska Shenault Jr. | WR | Colorado

With free agency mostly over and the Colts coming out of what was their busiest time on the open market since Chris Ballard took over, one thing became clear: the Colts are looking to invest heavily into the wide receiver position during the draft.

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How that will fall remains to be seen but in this simulation, the Colts got a tried and true X-receiver. Shenault Jr. might have some concern with the injury that caused him to run a 4.58 in the 40-yard dash at the combine but if he’s available at No. 34, the Colts are going to have to think about choosing him over most other prospects.

Shenault is perfect for the West Coast offense of the Colts. He has the size, strength and explosiveness to work on the outside and his ability to beat the press makes him an ideal pick. He’s extremely savvy after the catch and makes defenders miss with ease.

If Shenault is added to the wide receiver room, the group just got a whole lot more interesting for 2020.

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