The 2020 NFL Draft hail for the Giants was the most Dave Gettleman drafts, but the G-Men came away with solid talent. Was in enough to help Daniel Jones?
It’s almost impossible to predict who will be available by the time a team picks in the NFL Draft. Especially in the case where there’s a new head. However, with a general manager who’s been around long enough, you get the feeling of the type of players he likes. The New York Giants general manager Dave Gettleman is one of those guys. And the 2020 NFL Draft reflected it.
After taking Daniel Jones in the draft last year, there was no reason why Gettleman would not focus resources on making him better. Jones will have a bit of a black eye after finishing 3-9 as a starter, but that’s not on him.
As a rookie, he showed promise thanks to above-average athletic ability and football intellect. With a healthy Saquon Barkley and some solid draft picks, Jones could take the next step under the guidance of head coach Joe Judge and offensive coordinator Jason Garrett.
One of the biggest question marks, that Gettleman needed to address came along the offensive line. With the talent available at No.4, the Giants had to decide between Andrew Thomas or Tristan Wirfs. Neither pick was sexy, but it was necessary in order to ensure the success and continued maturation of their young signal-caller.
Round 1, Pick 4: Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia
Grade: A
There was only one goal in mind: protect Daniel Jones. And this pick kicked off the strategy for the 2020 NFL Draft. Trading down wasn’t an option for Gettleman despite what some may think. If he opted to collect a few more picks, the compensation wouldn’t have been much. Other detractors scoff at the idea of taking a right tackle in the top five. This was the right move, not only did it solidify the offensive line, but it gave the Giants a future left tackle.
Andrew Thomas is an elite tackle prospect who’ll start Week 1 alongside Will Hernandez. The duo will improve the running game, and Thomas will help mask some of Hernandez’s deficiencies as a pass-blocker. The 6-5, 315-pound tackle has excellent length thanks to his 36-inch arms. He’s an excellent mover lateral and he’s athletic enough to match-up against speed rushers.
While he’s not the most fluid, he can recover from false-steps. What he does best is maul defenders with his reach and power. There’s no doubt Judge and Garrett will run the ball and get their quarterback on the move. Having a solid offensive line provides the coaching staff with a sense of comfort knowing their quarterback has two solid tackles protecting him.