It is safe to say that the New York Giants are not a good football team at the moment. However, and luckily for Big Blue, the Giants currently have two key pieces already in place in quarterback Daniel Jones and running back Saquon Barkley, who will quickly become the two most important cornerstones of the once heralded NFC East franchise.
Because the Giants are still rebuilding, which will once again start over as New York will be sporting a first-year NFL head coach in Joe Judge come 2020-21, Big Blue will need to make a splash early on in the 2020 NFL Draft. Thanks to the team's disappointing 2019-20 regular season effort under the direction of former head coach Pat Shurmur, the Giants will pick at No. 4 overall in 2020.
After selecting the aforementioned Barkley at No. 2 overall back in 2018 and the aforementioned Jones at No. 6 overall just last year, the Giants will more than likely head into 2020-21 with three very recent top six picks under the team's control. Although things could be better in East Rutherford, that is certainly not a terrible start.
The question remains, though, do the Giants continue to try to load up on offense or begin focusing on the defense?
Jeff Okudah, Ohio State
Arguably the second-best defensive player and third-best overall player in this year's NFL Draft class, former Ohio State Buckeyes cornerback Jeff Okudah has the unique ability to make an immediate impact as a rookie. While making the jump from the collegiate level to the professional ranks of the NFL, Okudah won't have a hard time transitioning after leading Ohio State right through the always dangerous Big Ten.
Although Okudah strung together an incredible 2019-20 campaign from start to finish, he really showed out for the Buckeyes when it mattered most on the national stage and made his presence known — even in an eventual loss to the Clemson Tigers. The New York Giants need help and they need help now, something Okudah can provide right off the bat.
It is also worth noting that the Giants elected to part ways with both Eli Apple and Janoris Jenkins at the cornerback position in recent years. New York could certainly benefit from immediately adding to this position in 2020-21.
Isaiah Simmons, Clemson
Playing on the opposite end of the field than Ohio State Buckeyes cornerback Jeff Okudah just a few weeks ago, former Clemson Tigers linebacker — and sometimes safety — Isaiah Simmons also managed to make the most of his time in the spotlight. Despite leading a tough and incredibly stout Clemson defense all season long, Simmons shined when it mattered most as Clemson dominated the ACC Championship Game before defeating Ohio State in the national semifinal.
Even with his Tigers coming up just shy of yet another National Championship, thanks to the stellar LSU Tigers, Simmons still impressed in a big way on Monday evening in New Orleans. He would be another player that could make an immediate impact as a dynamic player for the lowly New York Giants in Year No. 1. Not only that, but Simmons has the ability to play multiple positions throughout the defense, which could give the struggling Giants a much-needed edge on that side of the line of scrimmage.
Jerry Jeudy, Alabama
With the New York Giants potentially slated to focus on defense early on in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft, “Big Blue” could simply continue to add to what may already be an impressive offensive unit going forward as well. With running back Saquon Barkley, quarterback Daniel Jones, tight end Evan Engram and wide receiver Sterling Shepard currently in place, perhaps a second young pass catching option for the team's soon-to-be second-year signal caller should be the play at No. 4 overall.
Because the Giants also have a veteran wide out in Golden Tate hanging around to both help the team on and off the field, the time might be now to add former Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Jerry Jeudy. Despite the fact that many scouts have Jeudy slated to come off the board in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft, those same pundits have the former collegiate standout being selected well outside the top five.
However, Jeudy will more than likely become the first wide out selected in the 2020 NFL Draft, so if the Giants really want him, New York will have to go get him whether it is staying put at No. 4 or trading slightly back to acquire both the former Crimson Tide pass catcher and additional draft capital.
Follow Us
Subscribe