The New York Giants have a big decision to make in the 2020 NFL Draft, and it starts with selecting a right tackle or defensive standout Isaiah Simmons. General manager Dave Gettleman has made it a priority to allocate resources towards bolstering the offensive line, signing left tackle Nate Solder in 2018, drafting Will Hernandez in the second round of the 2019 draft, and trading for right guard Kevin Zeitler last offseason.
While Solder, Hernandez, and Zeitler seem cemented at their positions, the center and right tackle spots are up for grabs. Graham Glasgow, free-agent center for the Detroit Lions, would make an excellent fit for the Giants who need to replace Jon Halapio after he suffered a torn Achilles at the end of the 2019 campaign.
Should the New York Giants draft a right tackle in the NFL Draft?
If Big Blue wants to plug a top draft prospect into the right tackle position, they must allocate the 4th overall pick to the position, however, trading back would be an ideal scenario, since they can still land a top option if they move back 1-2 spots with a QB-needy team.
While the Giants desperately need a tackle to fill the void Mike Remmers is leaving, Jack Conklin could be an option in free agency, but allocating $19.5 million (projected seasonal salary) towards an average pass-protector is not an ideal scenario. There are other short-term solutions like Brian Bulaga or Cordy Glenn (recently released by the Bengals), but the better move would be to find a prospect to fill the hole for the long-term.
Then again, free agency could make more sense, considering Simmons will likely be on the board at 4th overall. Filling the RT spot for one more season isn’t the worst decision if they can land a stud defensive playmaker. The Clemons standout finished the 2019 season with 8.0 sacks, 16.5 tackles for a loss, 108 combined tackles, and three interceptions.
Personally, drafting Simmons and filling the right tackle position with a veteran for one more season is not a bad idea that way they can ensure the defense is taken care of going into the 2020 season.
The 2020 NFL draft holds a lot of significance for the New York Giants and the rebuild of their franchise. When general manager Dave Gettleman was hired just two short years ago, he promised to win while rebuilding the team, and as we all know, that mentality lead to the firing of head coach Pat Shurmur and a downward spiral for the team in general.
Fast forward to the 2020 season — the Giants have new head coach Joe Judge and are embarking on a quest to develop a foundation for the foreseeable future. Gettleman allocated plenty of draft capital towards solving the secondary and building a strong interior defensive line in 2019. Still, recent reports have claimed that Gettleman is enamored by Auburn’s Derrick Brown and could select him with the fourth overall pick, given a trade back scenario does not present itself.
Gettleman likes Brown because he can play and serve multiple roles, individually as a pass rusher and a run stopper. Joe Judge and Gettleman are both in the same boat, with the belief that they must stop the run to win in the NFL. Brown certainly provides that quality, but if they can trade back one or two slots with the Miami Dolphins or Los Angeles Chargers, they can still land stand out defender, Isaiah Simmons.
What would Isaiah Simmons bring to the New York Giants?
Simmons was one of the best defenders in college football last season, logging 104 total tackles, 16.5 tackles for loss, 8.0 sacks, three interceptions, and two forced fumbles. Factor in his eight passes offended, and you can say that Simmons is far more than just a general linebacker. In fact, the Clemson defender considers himself more of a diverse defender than a specific linebacker, which increases his value and makes him an even bigger target for the Giants in the draft.
Realistically, the Giants have to fend off the Washington Redskins and Detroit Lions if they wish to trade back to a quarterback-needy team. In the scenario that they can land Simmons and collect more draft capital, they will set themselves up in a position to also grab an offensive tackle prospect in the latter portion of the first round. In my opinion, this would be an ideal scenario for the Giants who desperately need a defensive playmaker and a replacement at right tackle for Mike Remmers, who will be hitting free agency without a new deal.
The New York Giants are picking fourth overall in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft. This is their third straight season picking inside the top-ten. It is a crucial draft that general manager Dave Gettleman needs to get right in order to keep his job.
There is one name that keeps getting linked to the Giants at fourth overall: Clemson linebacker Isaiah Simmons.
This is the beginning of a new article series here on Empire Sports Media. This new series, the NFL Draft Profile series, will feature breakdowns of notable draft prospects to create a profile that summarizes and highlights the prospects’ top strengths and weaknesses.
Granted, I am not an expert draft analyst. However, in this article, I will be breaking down Isaiah Simmons as a prospect after watching hours of his film and using credible draft analysis from various sites such as NFL.com, Pro Football Focus, and The Draft Network intertwined with my own analysis. I will use the expert analysis to cross-check and cross-reference. I will use it to confirm or deny what I have seen on film. This article will also be accompanied by a YouTube video.
Stay tuned for plenty more Draft Profiles by myself and others on Empire Sports Media leading up to the 2020 NFL Draft. And if you have any feedback, critiques, or questions, you can reach me on Twitter: @Anthony_Rivardo. Also, check out the YouTube video that accompanies this article featuring a film breakdown here.
Top Strengths:
Before I get into Isaiah Simmons’s Top Strengths, I will list my grades on Isaiah’s traits/skills after watching and taking notes on hours of Isaiah’s game tape:
Play Recognition: 9
Ability to Cut Through Traffic: 7
Effort/Motor: 9
Consistent Tackler: 9
Speed to Get to the Sideline: 10
Effective Blitzer: 7
Coverage: 8
Overall: 8.4
As can be seen from these grades, Simmons is an elite athlete with high football IQ. However, he has some work to do as a true linebacker and could afford to put on a bit more size to help with his strength and ability to fight through contact. If you want to try making your own scouting profile on any NFL Draft prospects, check out John Chapman’s NFL Draft Scouting Rubric here.
Now, to discuss Isaiah’s Top Strengths:
Athleticism:
Isaiah Simmons completely dominated the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine. He nearly broke the internet with his running back-level forty-yard dash time of 4.39 seconds, which was the best time by a linebacker by far. Isaiah also recorded the second-best broad jump by a linebacker at 11’0″ and the tied-third-best vertical jump at 39″.
These numbers should come as no surprise to anyone who watched Simmons play at Clemson. Isaiah demonstrated this speed, explosiveness, and athletic superiority time and time again during his collegiate playing days. Take this interception by Simmons as an example:
Simmons was playing safety here and started in the middle of the field. The opposing quarterback attempted to fit the ball to the receiver down the right sideline, but Simmons’s incredible speed and range allowed him to get all the way to the sideline to make the interception. Linebackers should not be able to do such a thing. In fact, linebackers can not do such a thing. Only Isaiah Simmons can do such a thing. This play perfectly leads us into Simmons’s next Top Strength.
Coverage Ability:
As seen in the video above, Isaiah Simmons has the speed/athleticism to cover the entire field. He demonstrated elite coverage ability from a linebacker over and over again at Clemson.
This play below is a perfect example of Isaiah’s ridiculous man-coverage ability. Simmons went stride for stride with now-NFL receiver Myles Boykin, got his head turned around and used his length to reach over Boykin and bat the ball down. He was in perfect position throughout the entire route and gave the receiver no chance to make a play on the ball:
Isaiah Simmons is a FREAK. Insane that a 6-4, 230lb linebacker can do this. He has game-breaking speed and sticky man-coverage for his position. A name to keep an eye on ahead of the 2020 NFL Draft. #Giants#GiantsChat#GiantsPridepic.twitter.com/8t7M1RzTui
That play is only one example of many impressive man-coverage snaps from Isaiah Simmons. His man-coverage shined in the following games for reference: Clemson versus Notre Dame 2018, Clemson versus Virginia 2019, and Clemson versus Ohio State University in 2019 (despite one bad play in man-coverage at the end of this game, he was consistently lock-down throughout the game).
There are times, I noticed, where Simmons gets a little lost in zone coverage. For reference, in Clemson’s game against Texas A&M in 2018, Simmons let up two big plays in zone coverage. The second of the two plays was a crucial 3rd and 8 with 2:22 left in the 4th quarter where Simmons lost the receiver (who sat down in Isaiah’s zone) in his peripheral vision and allowed him to make the reception for a first down and gain all the way down to the one yard-line.
(To cross-check and support what I saw on tape, I looked at scouting profiles of Simmons on The Draft Network. Kyle Crabbs listed “Zone Coverage Anticipation” as Isaiah Simmons’s “Worst Trait.”)
Isaiah Simmons is an excellent prospect and has elite man-coverage ability. However, after watching hours of his game tape, I have noticed that he could use some work polishing up his performance in zone coverage. Still my pick for the #Giants at 4.#GiantsPride#GiantsChatpic.twitter.com/O4hu2KWAh6
Simmons was inconsistent at times in zone coverage (though far above-average for his position), but he was consistently elite in man coverage, especially for a linebacker. His coverage ability is comparable to that of a safety, which leads us to our next Top Strength.
Versatility:
Isaiah Simmons played over 100 snaps at five different positions in the 2019 CFB season. According to Pro Football Focus, Simmons played 100 snaps at strong safety, 116 snaps at outside linebacker, 132 snaps at free safety, 262 snaps at slot cornerback, and 299 snaps at inside linebacker.
There is no other player like Isaiah Simmons. He can play every position on defense and he can play them all better than most prospects. Typically, a linebacker excels in one area and can be a bit of a liability in other areas. That is not the case with Isaiah Simmons. He is an X-factor in pass coverage, has above-average pass-rushing capabilities, and is impressive in run defense.
The 2020 College Football National Championship Game was a perfect demonstration of Isaiah’s versatility:
People, watch this video. This is INSANE. Simmons made PBUs in man coverage blanketing TE Thaddeus Moss, he got a sack as a Blitzer off the edge, and got a TFL as a true linebacker. This is the definition of versatility.#Giants#GiantsChat#NYG#GiantsPridepic.twitter.com/VSzUKuqQ1k
As stated in his top strengths, Isaiah Simmons is an unbelievably versatile football player. He played nearly every position on Clemson’s defense. But, moving around the defense so often means that Simmons played a limited number of snaps at his NFL position of linebacker.
In 2019, Simmons played less than 300 snaps at inside linebacker (299). Ideally, you would like to see a top-ten linebacker prospect have more experience playing the traditional inside linebacker position. However, for teams with clever defensive coordinators, this is not a big deal. The best coordinators will build schemes around the players, not plug players into roles/positions in a scheme and try to make it work.
Potentially Difficult Skillset To Translate To The Pro Game:
Isaiah Simmons’s versatility is rare. It is one-of-a-kind. Typically, when NFL fans refer to a player as a “Swiss Army Knife,” they are describing a versatile safety that has the ability to play in the box as well as in deep coverage. But Simmons is the exact opposite of that- he is a versatile linebacker with the ability to play deep coverage.
Simmons made the transition from safety in 2017 to linebacker in 2018 and excelled in his new role. He built on an impressive 2018 season in 2019, solidifying himself as a linebacker and demonstrating a rare skillset. But there are some who still question what his role in an NFL defensive scheme will be and whether he will play more linebacker or safety.
We have seen some “do-it-all” safeties find success graduating to the NFL: Jamal Adams and Derwin James are perfect examples. However, we have seen others struggle and fail to translate their skillset to the professional game: examples include Jabrill Peppers, Mark Barron, Deone Bucannon.
Isaiah Simmons is larger and stronger than every single one of those players, though. He has linebacker size at 6 feet 3 inches, 238 pounds. But even that is something that Simmons could improve on.
Could Afford To Add Some Strength:
The average weight of an NFL linebacker is roughly 244 pounds. Simmons is close to that number but should work towards matching that weight.
Occasionally, tight ends are able to handle Isaiah Simmons and shove him out of the way. Yes, I stated above that Simmons is 238 pounds, heavier than Roquan Smith. So it might not necessarily be a weight thing.
His game is more finesse than power, which is fine, but gaining some strength and bulking up a bit more could serve Simmons well.
Do not get it twisted though, Simmons can demolish running backs as a blitzer (GIF via PFF):
Recap:
To put it simply: the good severely outweighs the bad when analyzing Isaiah Simmons’s strengths and weaknesses. There are questions regarding his efficiency in zone coverage, what his role might look like in an NFL defensive scheme, and if he has the strength to dominate against professionals. However, the potential upside with a 238 pound 21-year-old that can play nearly every position on defense is far more encouraging than the flaws are discouraging.
Isaiah Simmons should get serious consideration from the New York Giants at the fourth overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. He could transform their defense with a new versatile skillset and provide stability at the linebacker position that the Giants have not had in over a decade. There are plenty of other options for the Giants, which I will break down soon, but at this point, it is hard not to put Simmons’s name at the top of the list.
Once again, if you have any feedback, critiques, or questions, you can reach me on Twitter: @Anthony_Rivardo. Also, be sure to check out the Isaiah Simmons Draft Profile video on YouTube where I go more in-depth and do some film breakdowns. Let me know via Twitter or YouTube which prospect you want me to break down next.
The 2020 NFL Scouting Combine wrapped up this week with plenty of impressive performances from the draft’s top prospects. The New York Giants are picking in the top-ten for the third-straight year. This year, the Giants own the fourth overall pick and are in prime position to land an elite prospect or a haul of picks in a trade back.
There have been plenty of different prospects linked to the Giants in various rumors, reports, and mock drafts. One name that keeps coming up is Clemson linebacker Isaiah Simmons, especially after the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine. Simmons lit the Combine up and should be a top target for the Giants in the 2020 NFL Draft.
Isaiah Simmons completely dominated the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine. He nearly broke the internet with his running back-level forty-yard dash time of 4.39 seconds, which was the best time by a linebacker by far. Isaiah also recorded the second-best broad jump by a linebacker at 11’0″ and the tied-third-best vertical jump at 39″.
Simmons’s incredible Combine performance is shooting him up, draft boards. Analysts are saying that there is no way Isaiah should make it past the fourth pick. The New York Giants hold that pick and rumors suggest that they are interested in taking Isaiah Simmons fourth overall. For a long list of reasons, they should.
Why He Should Be The Pick At Fourth Overall
The Giants do not need a quarterback. They have their franchise guy in Daniel Jones. Scratch Tua and Herbert off the list. Chase Young is unlikely to fall outside of the top three, so scratch him off the list, too. The Giants could still go a few different routes with the fourth pick. They could address a pressing need and take one of the top offensive tackle prospects. But there are a couple of elite defensive talents that should be available when the Giants are on the clock.
Isaiah Simmons, out of Clemson, is one of the elite defenders that should be on the board fourth overall. In fact, he should be at the top of the board.
The above quote by Isaiah Simmons at the Combine this week perfectly summarizes why he is such a valuable prospect. The best teams in the league are relying heavily on pre-snap motion and versatile tight ends with excellent blocking abilities. It is extremely difficult to find players to match up against tight ends like Kittle and Kelce. Safeties might be able to cover them, but they probably cannot fight off their blocks in run-defense. Linebackers might be able to get the best of them in run-defense, but they typically do not have the speed to cover these versatile tight ends. Isaiah Simmons has the speed, the coverage ability, and the strength to do this from the linebacker position. He will be a real X-Factor for whichever team drafts him.
Isaiah Simmons is the definition of versatility. According to Pro Football Focus, Simmons played over 100 snaps at five different positions in the 2019 CFB season. He is a positionless player with the talent, skills, and athleticism to excel at whatever position he plays.
The Giants would hit a home run by selecting Isaiah Simmons fourth overall. He has the highest ceiling of any defender in the draft class. Simmons is an elite talent that would fill a massive position of need for New York. Isaiah Simmons’s rare versatility, such as his 8 sacks and 3 interceptions in 2019, makes him the top target for the Giants with the fourth overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.
For the third year in a row, the New York Giants are in an incredibly polarizing position for April’s Draft. In 2018, it was the great debate of taking a possible franchise quarterback or a generational talent at running back. Last year they passed on defensive talent for a quarterback we labeled a bust before he even took a snap.
For years, Giants fans have been clamoring for an adequate offensive line and for a linebacker that can finally replace the void left by Antonio Pierce. These two areas of the roster seem to have been neglected for years. In 2020, the New York Giants are in a great position to finally address one, if not both, areas of need. The question that remains is which way should they go in the first round?
Isaiah Simmons
We knew to head into the NFL Combine that Clemson “unicorn” Isaiah Simmons was an athletic freak. In Indianapolis, he garnered otherworldly comparisons. After his performance was complete, his measurements compared him to wide receiver Julio Jones. A linebacker or safety being compared to one of the best wide receivers the league has ever seen is explanation enough. The man is truly out of this world at his position.
It is without question that the Giants would primarily play him at linebacker. He can do just about everything. We have seen him run toe to toe with his Clemson teammate, running back Travis Etienne. So, covering running backs, tight ends and even receivers shouldn’t be an issue. We know he can tackle and has elite range to cover the field.
If there is one aspect of the “do it all” label I feel any semblance of concern about, it is as a consistent pass rusher. The majority of his sacks and pressures came on pure speed, his arm length and being schemed to pressure. That is extreme nitpicking, folks. If he is drafted by the Giants, he won’t be asked to be a true edge rusher.
Offensive Tackle
Take your pick. This is labeled a deep offensive tackle class, and for good reason. There are roughly four names that consistently get ranked in the top 20 to 30 prospects. Alabama’s Jedrick Wills, Iowa’s Tristan Wirfs, Louisville’s Mekhi Becton and Georgia’s Andrew Thomas all have garnered attention for the Giants in the first round. There is then another tier of tackles that could be had later in the 1st round, or the top of the 2nd round. Houston’s Josh Jones, TCU’s Lucas Niang, and USC’s Austin Jackson.
All of these players have their unique skillset. Jedrick Wills is primarily a right tackle and some believe he’d be better suited to move to guard. Mekhi Becton has incredible mobility for a big man. Andrew Thomas is a power run game’s dream. So for the Giants, it is a matter of picking the best scheme fit for the offense.
Most pundits will tell you that the Giants can find a franchise offensive tackle in the 2nd round. They very well could. However, with how valuable the offensive tackle position is and how difficult it is to find in the NFL, is the risk worth it?
Verdict
I will be the first to tell you that this is a very difficult decision. Trading back is ideal. Isaiah Simmons is ideal. The offensive line is ideal. There is a way the Giants can do all three, however very unlikely. Isaiah Simmons combine may have secured him as a top 5 selection. He could even go top 3 and make the decision easy for Big Blue. Yet, as badly as I covet a game-changing linebacker, offensive tackle is still the biggest need.
Daniel Jones is the future of this franchise. Protecting your franchise quarterback is important enough. Protecting your franchise quarterback that has an issue fumbling the football is amplified. Two years ago, they drafted Saquon Barkley, “a running back”, with the 2nd overall pick. This was in a draft class that was labeled as one of the best quarterback classes to date. For Saquon, finding a running room has been the biggest challenge of his young career.
Again reflecting on that 2018 NFL Draft, many wanted the Giants to do the “smart” thing and draft a quarterback over an athletic freak. This year, the majority have the complete opposite outlook. Take the athletic freak at linebacker, over the more important offensive tackle position. Of course, running back is not on the same level as linebacker or quarterback. I get that. However, the debate isn’t all that different. Albeit a bit more complex. A linebacker can help this defense win football games.
Yes, the Giants could get an offensive tackle at the top of the 2nd round or by trading up. Is that the smart play? With so many holes, do we want to give up more assets to trade up? Likewise, do we want to sit at the 36th overall and pick from what is left at offensive tackle? The position is so incredibly important, that there will be a run on offensive line talent in the first round. Do the Giants pick whoever they want? Or do they settle with whoever is left?
Looking at September 2020 and beyond, where do the Giants go? Can they make a deep playoff run? Sure. Is it likely? Probably not. Am I throwing in the towel in 2020? Not. Let’s be realistic, though. An offensive tackle can help the long term goals of this team while protecting your franchise quarterback from injury. A linebacker will help as well, but you still play with fire with your quarterback. Is this a reach argument? Yep.
In Conclusion
When all is said and done, what happens between now and the draft in free agency will determine a lot. If the New York Giants do draft Isaiah Simmons, I will be one of the first in line for a new Giants jersey. However, if the Giants’ offensive line woes continue and the fan base screams for Gettleman’s head for not addressing the offensive line the same way they did to Jerry Reese… well, I hope I don’t have to say “I told you so”.
The New York Giants have limitless options heading into the 2020 NFL offseason. They have over $70 million to spend in free agency and the fourth overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. With the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine taking place this week, rumors are starting to heat up around the NFL.
A few new rumors surround the New York Giants, too. According to Matt Lombardo of nj.com, Dave Gettleman is “very serious” about trading back in the 2020 NFL Draft. Also according to Lombardo, the Giants’ draft target, if they trade back, will be Auburn defensive lineman Derrick Brown.
Will The Giants Trade Back?
Trading down might be a reliable option for the Giants, but is it a real possibility? General manager Dave Gettleman has never traded down in a draft before. He recently received heavy criticism for this by NBC Sports’ Peter King in his latest “Football Morning in America” column:
A GM who has made 45 picks has never traded down to accumulate more picks from any of the 45. That is borderline negligent. Maybe not even borderline. I am incredulous about that. As I documented last week, GM John Schneider of the Seahawks used last year’s 21st overall pick and traded down six times to accumulate six picks, one of whom was wide receiver DK Metcalf, who, as it turned out, produced better value than a 21st pick in most drafts as a rookie. And four other players from the trade played for the Seahawks last season. Trying to not make too much of that, but wow. Just wow. – Peter King, NBC Sports
Dave Gettleman fielded questions from the media on Tuesday at the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine. He was asked about the potential of trading down from fourth overall in the 2020 NFL Draft. Dave Gettleman responded, saying, “We’re open for business.” Matt Lombardo’s report seems to back up Gettleman’s statement.
The Argument Against Derrick Brown
Matt Lombardo’s report regarding the Giants’ consideration of trading down came as no surprise. The shocking part of the report is the Giants’ apparent interest in targeting Auburn defensive lineman Derrick Brown.
The Giants have already invested quite a bit into their defensive line. They spent a first-round pick on Dexter Lawrence II in the 2019 NFL draft and traded their 2020 third-round pick for Leonard Williams ahead of the trade deadline. These two moves combined with the talents of Dalvin Tomlinson and BJ Hill make it confusing as to why the Giants would be targeting yet another first-round interior defensive lineman.
Derrick Brown Stats and Highlights
Derrick Brown might be an interior defensive lineman, but he is not your everyday IDL. Brown is a monster. He is one of the top prospects in the 2020 NFL Draft class.
If Leonard Williams walks in free agency, drafting Derrick Brown makes more sense. But even if Williams stays, Brown would make the Giants’ defensive line a dominant unit.
In his 2019 senior campaign, Derrick Brown was unblockable, recording 54 total tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, and 4 sacks. This was after putting up 48 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, and 4.5 sacks as a junior.
That’s two straight seasons of consistent, elite performance from Derrick Brown. Brown is a phenomenal run-stuffer and a decent pass-rusher. Combining his talents with that of Dexter Lawrence would create maybe the best young defensive line in the NFL.
But is it wise for Dave Gettleman to spend another first-round pick on an interior defensive lineman? Eventually he will need to start investing in other positions of need. And, after this year’s NFL Scouting Combine, it might be hard for the Giants to say no to an elite talent like Isaiah Simmons if he is on the board at fourth overall.
The eye test was enough to detail how poor Alec Ogletree’s performance for the New York Giants over the past two seasons, but it isn’t until you see his 15.8% missed tackle rate that you genuinely understand how inefficient he was against the run and in coverage.
Factor in his 83% completion percentage allowed in coverage, and you can make the argument that he might have been the worst defender on the team. Finding his replacement will be easy this offseason, as the Giants acquire the No. 4 overall pick in the draft and could look to Isaiah Simmons to fill the void.
The New York Giants can target one top tier linebacker in FA:
However, another talented option comes by free agency, and his name is Cory Littleton. The former Los Angeles Ram has never missed a game in four years and posted fantastic numbers in 2019. His 134 combined tackles, 3.5 sacks, nine passes defended, two forced fumbles, and astonishing 3.6% missed tackle rate should justify his worth.
While Littleton will be pricey in free agency, he’s a fantastic alternative to Simmons. While his coverage numbers weren’t stellar, allowing a 71.8% completion percentage, he graded out in the top 10 of all linebacker in solo tackles, assists, interceptions, and forced fumbles, according to PFF.
The Giants having about $80 million in free agency allows them to invest in premium players like Littleton to help overhaul a youthful defense. Alternatively, they can bring in a strong player like Simmons, who can play multiple positions on defense and act as a jack of all trades.
Simmons was a menace for Clemson in 2019, logging 104 total tackles, 16.5 tackles for a loss, 8.0 sacks, and eight passes defended. The Giants can easily continue with their youth agenda on defense and sign veteran players to increase the average age. Still, they seem to be in a good place at the linebacker position with plenty of cap space and draft capital to allocate. They also have Ryan Connelly recovering from a torn ACL injury. After climbing the roster in his rookie season, effectively overtaking Ogletree as the MIC linebacker, the hope is that he can build upon his minimal success.
The popular narrative in the rumor mill now is that the New York Giants are going to trade back with the fourth overall pick in the NFL Draft instead of using it to get a player, but that’s not the only narrative – there’s also talks of the Giants keeping the pick, and their rumored top prospects at that spot tend to be from either the linebacker or the offensive tackle position. With the team needing help at both spots, it’s easy to see why they could use a top five pick to make an improvement at either position.
According to NJ Advance Media, it’s linebacker that the Giants are looking at with the pick. The name that’s being brought up again is Isaiah Simmons, Clemson’s alternative to Chase Young who was mocked to the Giants almost immediately after they fell to number four in the draft order and likely fell out of the race for Young.
“The name I keep hearing if they don’t trade back in the draft and stay at No. 4 is Isaiah Simmons,” one NFL evaluator tells NJ Advance Media. “That has really picked up since they released Alec Ogletree and Kareem Martin.”
“They seem to be doing a lot of homework on linebackers,” a second individual said.
Simmons is one of the top players the Giants have been linked to at the number four spot with the other name that keeps coming up being Mekhi Becton from Louisville – the former would be an upgrade for the defense while the latter could potentially replace Nate Solder in his rookie season.
While Simmons wasn’t as notable in college last year as Chase Young, his greater versatility and ability to help in coverage has been praised.
The Giants, however, seem to be considering a trade down for Auburn’s Derrick Brown. Dave Gettleman has never traded back as the General Manager in charge of a draft, though, and it seems like an odd selection to make a first time trade in the first round for. We’ll see over the next few weeks if the interest in Brown is simply pre-draft hype and smokescreens, with the team’s real interest being in Simmons.
It is no secret to anyone reading this, but the New York Giants are in serious need of defensive talent. At the time of this article, the Giants have just $23.2 million of their 2020 cap space allocated to the defensive side of the football. For comparison, that is less than what both Khalil Mack and Aaron Donald will count towards the Bears and Rams respectively. The next closest figure is that of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, which is $42.9 million.
It is without question that the New York Giants will target the defense in both Free Agency and April’s draft. Everyone knows the big name prospects that the Giants may or may not be able to get in the first round. Chase Young, Isaiah Simmons, Derrick Brown and Jeffrey Okudah are all well known and potential targets for Big Blue in the early stages. Yet, with currently 10 picks throughout the entire draft, including compensatory picks, the Giants need to be able to target defenders at every stage.
Who are some other prospects the Giants could target in days 2 and 3?
EDGE Zack Baun – Wisconsin
Zack Baun has been a named mocked to the Giants in the 2nd round by numerous sources. However, he doesn’t have a flashy name like Young, K’Lavon Chaisson or A.J. Epenesa. For Giants fans well in tune with Joe Judge’s plan of versatility, maybe you should get accustomed to it. Baun is a defensive playmaker that will be best suited in a versatile role. His quickness and burst are what will make him stand out in pressure generation. He can quickly fill gaps in the run game, as well. If Zack Baun is indeed a selection for the Giants, look for him to play all over the field for the defense.
CB Damon Arnette – Ohio State
I will not be surprised to see Ohio State’s Damon Arnette sneak into the first round after a good showing in Indianapolis. His skills in press coverage would be well suited for every team in the NFL. Arnette does not have the elite speed most teams may covet in a corner, so safety help is a must. Where he does excel, are his ball skills and short-area abilities.
EDGE Joshua Uche – Michigan
No, this isn’t an article of Big Ten athletes. Joshua Uche is just good. In his interview this week, Jedrick Wills picked Uche when asked who his toughest matchup was in college. That is saying a lot coming from an Alabama prospect. Uche is not the most filled out athlete, but his quickness and bend is top-notch. He has the frame to add more mass, which could really propel him into the top echelon of NFL pass rushers.
S Kyle Dugger – Lenoir-Rhyne
The South Atlantic Conference in NCAA’s Division II is about as far away from the Big Ten as one could get. Kyle Dugger, however, will be competing with top tier talent on Sunday’s. Dugger is another versatile defensive weapon. One could call him a poor man’s Isaiah Simmons. However, if he gets called to play for the New York Giants, they’d very likely hit it rich. Dugger may find the best success transitioning to LB. In fact, he was asked to take part in LB drills at the NFL Combine. He may not have the same skill set as Simmons, but he comes with similar versatility.
LB Akeem Davis-Gaithers – Appalachian State
Another prospect from a “smaller” program, Akeem Davis-Gaithers has the talent that the Giants are looking for. He’s a linebacker that comes with a very good range. In college, he occasionally was asked to cover wide receivers, but absolutely has the athleticism to cover running backs and tight ends in pass defense. Similar to Uche, he could afford to put on some extra pounds. With his hard-hitting mindset, it would be extremely beneficial for him to do so at the next level.
S Shyheim Carter – Alabama
The Giants have had success with Alabama safeties and Shyheim Carter could be the next. Like Landon Collins, Carter does his best work near the line of scrimmage. Another versatile, hybrid player, the New York Giants could very well benefit from his services. Also like Collins, however, he is not someone you’d trust covering a running back or tight end in coverage.
LB Cameron Brown – Penn State
A late-round prospect, Cam Brown is the type of linebacker the Giants have needed. He has incredible range and athleticism. Often being bumped out to cover wide receivers in the slot and tight ends. The Nittany Lions used him quite often in pass defense of the flat zones. He’s got the range to play WILL but will need to bulk up and clean up his tackle finishing for the NFL.
The 2020 NFL Draft is right around the corner. The Draft will begin on April 23 this year. In preparation for the NFL Draft, the NFL Scouting Combine will begin this week.
The Combine is a crucial part of the draft process. Teams finally have the chance to meet and interview this year’s prospects. The New York Giants are picking fourth overall in this year’s draft and will have their pick at some of the top prospects in the class. With the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine about to kick off, let’s take a look at three of the top prospects to keep an eye on for the Giants in 2020.
Isaiah Simmons
One of the draft’s most hyped prospects is Clemson’s do-it-all linebacker, Isaiah Simmons. Simmons played nearly every position on Clemson’s defense and is an exceptional athlete.
Dane Brugler of The Athletic said, “They might rename the combine after Isaiah Simmons after he is done with it.” According to Albert Breer of MMQB, one college scouting director forecast to Breer that Clemson LB Isaiah Simmons will run in the low 4.4s, and his “jumps are gonna be nuts.”
Isaiah Simmons is going to test extremely well in the Combine drills this week. He has the speed, size, and athleticism to drop jaws. Simmons has been linked to the Giants on many occasions, so expect them to keep an eye on the draft’s top linebacker.
Tristan Wirfs
According to Ralph Vacchiano of SNY, the New York Giants are “in love” with Iowa offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs. Wirfs is already expected to be one of the Giants’ top targets in the 2020 NFL Draft. But with a strong performance at the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine, Tristan could make himself a must-draft target for the Giants who have a severe need at offensive tackle.
Tristan Wirfs is expected to dominate the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine. He is a mammoth of a human being, standing at 6 feet 5 inches and weighing 322 pounds. Despite this, Tristan can move at a somewhat rapid pace. He is expected to run a sub-4.9s 40-yard dash. He would be only the fifth offensive tackle ever to accomplish this feat and the only offensive tackle to run a sub 4.9s while weighing 322 pounds.
Tristan Wirfs has been described as a “300-pound man that moves like a dancer.” But he also moves weights like ragdolls. Tristan broke Iowa’s hang clean record with four reps of 450 pounds last year. Wirfs is sure to impress during the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine and could make his way surging up teams’ draft boards.
Mekhi Becton
The Giants are in the market for an offensive tackle. Tristan Wirfs is undoubtedly one of the top options for the Giants in the 2020 NFL Draft, but there are others. Another offensive tackle to keep an eye on at the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine is Mekhi Becton.
Mekhi Becton is a massive human being. He is maybe the definition of the term “hog molly” that general manager Dave Gettleman is known to use. The Lousiville offensive tackle towers over the competition at 6 feet 7 inches. He also weighs in at a humungous 369 pounds.
Becton’s size is rare. But, what makes him so unique is the athletic ability he has combined with his otherworldly stature. Lance Zierlein of NFL.com described Becton as an offensive tackle with an “enormous frame complemented by surprisingly nimble feet and functional athleticism to handle either tackle spot.” The Giants could draft Mekhi Becton to play left tackle or right tackle depending on how much they do or do not trust Nate Solder.
The Giants will be able to find a franchise building block in the 2020 NFL Draft. But that all starts with the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine. This is a crucial step in the draft process, and these three players will need to live up to expectations and impress New York if they want to get selected fourth overall.
