As the New York Giants continue to rebuild, they must make their first-round selection at No. 4 overall in the 2020 NFL Draft really count.
Now the fun starts. It’s speculation time for the next few months as to whom the New York Giants will select with the fourth overall selection in the 2020 NFL Draft. Big Blue finished another disastrous season in 2019 at 4-12 and it cost Pat Shurmur his job.
Here comes the judge — Joe Judge is the new sheriff in town guiding the G-Men forward. He’ll team with general manager Dave Gettleman to try to turn around a franchise that has really fallen on hard times.
However, via free agency and the NFL Draft, fortunes can be turned around very quickly. Who will Big Blue pick with the fourth overall pick in this year’s draft? Let’s gaze through the crystal ball and speculate a little bit.
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Barring any trades, here is how I feel the top three selections will pan out:
- Joe Burrow, QB to Cincinnati
- Chase Young, DE to Washington
- Jeffrey Okudah, CB to Detroit
So my prediction for the Giants at No. 4 is, drum roll please: Isaiah Simmons, LB, Clemson.
The Giants need to turn around a defensive unit that ranked 30th in the league (28.2 points per game allowed) last season. The 6-4, 230-pound Simmons would be a great start. The 2019 Dick Butkus Award winner as the premier linebacker in the nation is one of the most versatile players in the entire draft. He can be lined up inside or outside in different defensive schemes. Simmons can play safety, be deployed as a nickel linebacker in coverage and also excel as a MIKE or SAM.
Simmons enjoyed another outstanding season for the Tigers, the national runner-up to LSU. The unanimous All-American and ACC Defensive Player of the Year recorded a team-high 104 tackles (including 16.5 for loss) while adding a team-high 8.5 sacks. He chipped in with three interceptions and eight passes defensed as well. In short, Simmons was all over the field in every game for the 14-1 Tigers.
He should make an immediate impact on the next level. His ceiling is through the roof. Not only can Simmons line up at multiple positions but he also excelled on special teams as well. He really can do it all.
As he transitions to the pro game, Simmons would be a welcome addition to a defensive unit that ranked 25th in the NFL in yards allowed per game (377.3). He’s probably the most unique, versatile athlete in this year’s upcoming draft. If he’s available when they are on the clock, Big Blue should not hesitate. Select Simmons as the cornerstone of a revamped defense and don’t look back.