Matt Peart

New York Giants: Could Matt Peart earn starting reps at right tackle in 2020?

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New York Giants, Matt Peart

The New York Giants are heading into the 2020 season with questions remaining on the offensive line. Despite drafting Andrew Thomas with the fourth overall pick, the continuity in the trenches has yet to be established. General manager Dave Gettleman made it a priority to solve the offensive line once and for all, but it will take time with the injection of youth.

One developmental player the Giants landed was third-round pick, Matt Peart, out of the University of Connecticut. While he’s projected to play right tackle for the Giants, he actually fits the left tackle spot better. His frame and reach make him an ideal fit for the position, after putting on a bit more muscle mass. However, Thomas is the expected heir to the throne on Daniel Jones’ blindside, with Peart hopefully developing on the right side.

The New York Giants gained a high-upside player in the UConn product:

Peart performed at the top of the combine class in 2020, finishing in the 90th percentile of all tackles. His reach, which was the longest at the combine, was 36 5/8-inches. At 6-foot-6, Gettleman and new head coach Joe Judge are excited to see how his frame grows into itself. Some time in the weight room and working with NFL level coaches should do the trick.

There’s a lot to like when it comes to Peart, considering he was a starter as a freshman in 2016. He has played both left and right tackle, starting 12 games on the left side in 2017 and the remainder of his games at right tackle. In his senior season last year, he allowed 2 sacks, 1 quarterback hit, and four quarterback hurries over 415 pass-blocking snaps. One positive trait is his health history. Peart never missed a game due to an injury in college.

His athletic ability is simply off the charts. Playing soccer, basketball, track, and lacrosse in high school, he has shown the ability to adapt quickly to different sports. That should give him a competitive advantage at tackle, something the Giants have desperately needed with lackluster performances in recent years.

The New York Giants are also dealing with Nate Solder, who is coming off an extremely poor season where he allowed 11 sacks and five penalties. With his dead cap decreasing to just $6 million in 2021, the expectation is that the Giants will release him and save the salary. Peart isn’t ready to start any games just yet, but if he fills out quickly, Judge could give him an opportunity to showcase his skills this upcoming season.

New York Giants: What Will The Starting Offensive Line Look Like In 2020?

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New York Giants, Nate Solder, Andrew Thomas

The New York Giants have had one of the worst offensive lines in the NFL over the past few years. The team has struggled to find consistent offensive tackle play since investing a top-ten pick in Ereck Flowers in 2015. From Flowers to Solder, the Giants have been disappointed by their recent expensive offensive line investments.

New York is hoping that that trend of disappointing offensive line investments ends after this season. This offseason, the Giants invested heavily in their offensive line, drafting three linemen in the 2020 NFL Draft. The Giants also signed an offensive tackle in free agency and significantly upgraded their offensive line coach.

Giants fans are hopeful about their offensive line for the first time in a while. Andrew Thomas was drafted fourth overall, signaling a cultural shift by the Giants towards a more traditional team-building philosophy. The Giants are prioritizing the offensive line and finally, for the first time in years, have depth in the positional group.

Projecting the 2020 Offensive Line

 

  • LT – Andrew Thomas
  • LG – Will Hernandez
  • C – Nick Gates
  • RG – Kevin Zeitler
  • RT – Nate Solder
  • Depth – Spencer Pulley, Shane Lemieux, Cameron Fleming, and Matt Peart
  • OL Coach – Marc Colombo

The Starting Five

The Giants drafted Andrew Thomas to be the team’s left tackle of the future. Some have suggested that Thomas should start his career at right tackle, but in my opinion, Thomas should start at left tackle right away.

Nate Solder allowed 11 sacks in 2019 according to Pro Football Focus, the third most out of any offensive tackle in the NFL. To make matters even worse, Solder allowed 57 pressures in 2019. This was the most of any offensive lineman in the NFL. Andrew Thomas played 1,075 pass-block snaps in his collegiate career. On those snaps, Thomas allowed only 37 total pressures. He also has not allowed more than 2 pressures in a game since 2017 (his freshman season at right tackle). It is highly possible that Andrew Thomas is the best left tackle on the Giants’ roster despite never playing a snap in the NFL.

Will Hernandez is entering his third NFL season after taking a small step back in 2019. Big Will looked promising as a rookie but struggled to develop as a sophomore. This could have been for a couple of reasons: Hernandez was playing between two bad players, and the Giants’ coaching staff was one of the league’s worst. Luckily for Hernandez, both of these problems seem to have been fixed. This could be his breakout season.

The center position is by far the biggest question mark on the Giants’ roster in 2020. There will be a positional battle at center during training camp and preseason. In my opinion, Nick Gates is the top candidate for the position. Gates finished the 2019 season with a 77.0 overall grade and only 1 sack allowed in 290 snaps (Pro Football Focus). However, Spencer Pulley could win the job based on seniority and past experience. Gates has never played center before but has been impressive in limited snaps at offensive guard and offensive tackle.

Despite never making the Pro Bowl in his career, Kevin Zeitler has been one of the best pass-blocking offensive guards in the NFL. Also according to Pro Football Focus, Zeitler finished with the sixth-best grade among guards and posted a strong 75.0 pass-blocking grade — the sixth-straight year he’s achieved that mark. Zeitler is a lock for the Giants’ right guard position and should get a contract extension after his contract expires next offseason.

Solid Depth

Nate Solder is likely to move over to right tackle, but if that does not go well, the Giants have solid depth pieces behind him. New York signed Cam Fleming this offseason to be a swing tackle or backup offensive tackle. They also drafted Matt Peart out of UConn in the third round. Peart is not likely to be ready for NFL action in his first season, but he has a lot of potential down the road as a starting offensive tackle.

An Improved Coaching Staff

The hiring of Marc Colombo was huge for the Giants. Colombo has helped maintain the Dallas Cowboy’s offensive line’s status as one of the best in the NFL. Cowboys players have stated that Colombo’s relatability in his youth helped the offensive line grow and gravitate towards its coach.

“I’ve had the pleasure of being around a lot of people in this game. But Marc is in the front of the class. That’s the ultimate compliment I can give him. You get inspired by Marc every day you’re around him.” – Jason Garrett on Mar Colombo via ESPN

 

New York Giants: Ranking the 2 most underrated 2020 NFL draft picks for Big Blue

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New York Giants, Darnay Holmes

On paper, the New York Giants have a productive 2020 NFL Draft, having landed a high-floor offensive tackle in Andrew Thomas, the highest-rated safety in Xavier McKinney, and a bevy of other high-upside players. Notice the operative word, “high,” and how frequently it’s used to describe these players — elevation, increase, more, raised, lofty, a few synonyms to build off of when detailing the Giants’ new crop of players.

While Thomas and McKinney’s value is quite clear, Big Blue landed several other players that deserve ample attention, as they acquire the talent to excel at the NFL level.

Here are 2 of the more underrated draft picks for the New York Giants:

1.) Darnay Holmes

Holmes is one of my favorite players coming out of the Giants’ draft class, and while he was coined the crop’s top nickel corner, he’s only played in the slot one time – during the Senior Bowl. Holmes is a feisty corner with below-average size at 5-foot-10, 195-pounds. I imagine he will add some more muscle to his frame, but he has the perfect size to play inside against speedy receivers.

Not only is Holmes a high-character guy with a unique story, but he has also learned the ropes from some of the best players in NFL history.

“He might be the sleeper [defensive back] in the draft,” Rod Woodson told ESPN. “I know he was taken in the fourth round. But I like his mindset. No coach can measure one’s heart and one’s mind until you start playing. I think when I’ve seen him playing and talked to Carnell and his son, just the way he moves and how fluid he is and has that recall during the games when people are doing stuff to him that makes you kind of excited to watch a player like that.”

Deion Sanders stated Holmes had a “flawless” and “unbelievable” combine workout. The advocational words he gained from some notable people stand out, and Holmes has backed up the hype with quality play. After suffering a high-ankle sprain in 2019, he ignored medical advice and rejoined his team prematurely, severely limiting his efficiency but showing his grit and leadership as team captain.
Analyzing his stats from last season to de-value him is malpractice since he had a solid year in 2018. Given the potential he has, Holmes is easily one of the bigger steals for the Giants.
2.) Matt Peart
It’s not often a team lands a starting left and right tackle in the same draft class. Peart needs a bit of development, but the New York Giants have the time to offer him. He can spend the entire 2020 campaign refining his abilities and improving in pass-sets, but he has every tangible trait to prove upper management right.
Offensive line analyst, Matt Giannettino, gave us an in-depth breakdown on Peart Via Youtube, stating:

Strengths:

Super athletic quick on his feet nimble especially for his size and his life is really good on his pass sets,when he stays square with his head up he does his best work.

Weakness:

Can be a little weak on point of attack but that has to do with not rolling his hips consistently. He also plays a bit high of pad level because of his size. i actually believe if he adds weight that could help him.

In summary, he need to be a little bit more consistent in all of his technique but most importantly his hip flexibility for his athleticism and mobility along with his lane are really some good traits for the Giants to work with moving forward.

I wouldn’t expect Peart to jump right into a starting role, but if the Giants can develop him into a productive player at right tackle, they will have walked away from a single draft with two starters at some of the highest-paid positions in football.

New York Giants: Could Andrew Thomas start off his career at right tackle?

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New York Giants, Andrew Thomas

Could the New York Giants swap Andrew Thomas to right tackle? Would it make sense?

When the New York Giants drafted Andrew Thomas with the fourth overall pick in the 2020 NFL draft, the expectation was that he would fill the starting left tackle position immediately. Replacing Nate Solder as Daniel Jones’s blindside protector, Thomas has the highest floor of any of the prospects coming out of the draft at the tackle position. He has a phenomenal anchor in pass protection and can mirror defensive ends well, he also has the mobility to move to the second level in the run game and the strength to overpower defenders of the line of scrimmage.

However, he is a bit undersized for the left tackle spot and lacks a bit of athleticism compared to third-round pick Matt Peart out of UConn. Peart entered the NFL as a far superior athlete over Thomas, and that spurs the question, could he eventually be the Giants’ starting left tackle?

While Thomas has played predominately left tackle at the collegiate level, his size better fits the right tackle position. Peart stands at 6-foot-7 and 318 pounds. He posted a 5.06 40-yard dash and 26 reps on the bench press at the combine. He “wowed” scouts with his size, strength, speed, and athleticism. While he is a bit more of a developmental piece, his long arms and frame suit left tackle position in the future.

Nonetheless, I do believe the Giants will utilize Peart at right tackle considering Thomas’ draft spot. You don’t normally select a right tackle as high as number four in the draft, but things could shake out differently in the future.

“I would think they’d probably play Andrew Thomas at left,” said Senior Bowl executive, Jim Nagy. “But if you were starting from scratch and where they got drafted from wasn’t an issue, you’d probably put Peart and left and Thomas on the right.”

“Usually you can’t get a guy with starting left tackle ability in the third round, and he’s got that type of upside,” Nagy said. “His feet, his length, he’s done some really good stuff in pass pro. He’s a better athlete than Andrew Thomas.

Joe Judge opened the door for flexibility going into year one under his control:

“Everyone is going to come in on Day 1 and compete and as they shake out,” Judge said. “Whether that demonstrates being a starter at whatever position, that’s where they’ll fall. We went into this with several players we all thought had the ability to go on both sides, right or left. We made a decision that we’re going to let training camp figure that out.

The Giants are in a position to move pieces around if they see fit. While Peart needs at least one year to develop, they will have the adaptability from their players to interchange positions if need be. With that being said, allowing Thomas to gain essential experience with Jones should be a priority, and that’s how I see the offensive line playing out in 2020.

Did the New York Giants get their starting right tackle in 3rd round pick Matt Peart?

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New York Giants, Matt Peart

When the New York Giants drafted Matt Peart in the third round, most were unfamiliar with him as a prospect and a player. The UConn tackle represents a potential starter in the NFL, as he ranked as one of the more athletic players at the position. With good size and frame for a tackle, Peart has the tangible traits and athletic ability to earn starting reps in 2020 potentially.

One of the most exciting aspects of Peart is that he missed zero games in college due to injury. His health has been a determining factor for success at the collegiate level, but he still needs development to be considered for live reps during the 2020 season. Historically, Matt grew up playing soccer and basketball in high school. He also participated in track and lacrosse. He started out playing defensive end but didn’t make the varsity team until he was a junior.

As he grew in size, Peart eventually made the transition over to tackle in his senior year of high school. Once he joined the University of Connecticut, he continued on to become one of their foundational players on offense. His ability in the run game has proven to be his most essential asset. Athletic ability, paired with mobility enables him to reach the second level quickly and shield off would-be tacklers.

Our offensive line analyst at ESM, Matt Giannettino, gave us an in-depth breakdown on Peart Via Youtube, stating:

Strengths:

Super athletic quick on his feet nimble especially for his size and his life is really good on his pass sets,when he stays square with his head up he does his best work.

Weakness:

Can be a little weak on point of attack but that has to do with not rolling his hips consistently. He also plays a bit high of pad level because of his size. i actually believe if he adds weight that could help him.

In summary, he need to be a little bit more consistent in all of his technique but most importantly his hip flexibility for his athleticism and mobility along with his lane are really some good traits for the Giants to work with moving forward.

While Nate Solder, Cam Fleming, and Nick Gates will compete for the starting right tackle spot, Peart will wait in the shadows and refine his skill-set during 2020. I don’t believe he will start unless an injury forces him into an awkward position, but his development is essential if the Giants are going to cut Solder in 2021 to reduce the salary cap.

New York Giants: A Greatly Improved Offensive Line?

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Will the New york Giants consider right tackle, Andrew Thomas, in the 2020 NFL Draft?

The offensive line has been one of the worst areas of the New York Giants in recent years, but that could change in 2020. The team has made a lot of strides for change in the area in the past few years and some of them have worked out – others have not. Will Hernandez returns as a starter, while Nate Solder so far has been considered an expensive bust. But the Giants have brought in multiple players this offseason to improve the position, and that includes fourth overall pick Andrew Thomas.

As a result of their moves, Pro Football Focus believes the Giants are one of the most improved offensive lines in 2020. On the PFF list, the Giants managed to make it to the number five spot, an impressive accomplishment considering the team’s recent history with the O-line.

5. NEW YORK GIANTS

Key Additions: T Andrew Thomas, T Matt Peart, G Shane Lemieux
Key Losses: T Mike Remmers, C Jon Halapio

It was clear the Giants could use an upgrade at the tackle position after last season. Nate Solder and Mike Remmers combined to allow 96 pressures in 2019, more than any other tackle duo in the NFL. While Solder is locked into the left tackle spot given his contract and the inability to move on without incurring $16 million in dead money, right tackle was a spot that clearly could be upgraded. As the top tackle on PFF’s Big Board, Thomas gives them that.

He came into the SEC as a freshman in 2017 and put up a 76.7 pass-blocking grade. To perform like that as a starting tackle in a conference where he was going up against quality talent on the edge week in and week out is impressive. All Thomas did from that point was improve, earning an 80.6 overall grade in 2018 and a 92.7 grade last season for Georgia. Nearly all offensive linemen struggle in their first season in the NFL, but Thomas has as good a chance as anyone in this class to handle the transition well and provide solid play out of the gate for the Giants. That alone is enough to land them on this list.

Thomas isn’t the only player that was praised by PFF, however. As the article brings out, the Giants also added some depth in Matt Peart and Shane Lemieux at the tackle and guard positions. Depth isn’t something the Giants have had on the offensive line for years, and it helps to have alternative options for when injuries or surprise drops in performance happen. After all, the Giants found out last season just how often injuries can come.

Still, the Giants will have to succeed in games before winning everyone over fully on the subject of their line. It’s easy to get excited in the offseason about additions like these, but previous years have proven that it’s impossible to tell just from stats on paper how such additions will pan out in games.

Projecting What The New York Giants’ Offensive Line Of The Future Will Look Like

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The New York Giants completely rebuilt their offensive line in the 2020 NFL offseason. The team hired Marc Colombo to coach the position group after years of success coaching the Dallas Cowboys’ line. They then signed OT Cameron Fleming as a stop-gat right tackle for the 2020 NFL season. After that, the Giants invested heavily in their future offensive line, spending three draft picks on the line in the 2020 NFL Draft.

New York surprised fans by selecting stud left tackle Andrew Thomas with the fourth pick in the NFL Draft. They then drafted two more offensive linemen in the later round of the draft. But those later picks are not expected to start in 2020. Those selections were made with the long-term in mind. But what does that long-term plan look like? In this article, I will project the future of the New York Giants’ offensive line.

What Does The Line Look Like Now?

  • LT – Nate Solder
  • LG – Will Hernandez
  • C – Spencer Pulley
  • RG – Kevin Zeitler
  • RT – Andrew Thomas

The rookie offensive tackle Andrew Thomas is going to be in the starting lineup. The question is, on which side of the line will he play? Will they put Andrew Thomas in at left tackle immediately, or leave Nate Solder in the position he already holds? Solder has admitted he is fine with a position switch, so the two tackle positions could be swapped between now and August. But, if I had to guess, the Giants will likely place Thomas on the right side of the line to start his career, then switch him to the left side once Solder’s contract is off the books.

Will Hernandez was the Giants’ second-round pick in 2018 and has looked the part so far. He did take a slight step backward in 2019, but that could have been caused by a multitude of confounding variables, such as an incompetent coaching staff. Entering his third season with a new, talented offensive line coach in Marc Colombo bodes well for Hernandez’s future at guard for the Giants.

The center position is a glaring weakness on the Giants’ roster. There will be a three-way competition for the starting job in 2020. As a default, though, I plugged Spencer Pulley in at the starting center position. He is the only player on the roster with long-term starting experience at the position and is also the only true center on the roster. He has a good chance of winning the competition because of that.

Kevin Zeitler will man the right guard position again. Zeitler is a rock at that position and is as reliable as it gets. He is easily the best offensive lineman on the Giants at the moment and will continue to be in 2020.

What Will The Offensive Line Look Like In The Future?

  • LT – Andrew Thomas
  • LG – Will Hernandez
  • C – Shane Lemieux
  • RG – Nick Gates
  • RT – Matt Peart

As crazy as it may sound, I genuinely believe Dave Gettleman and the Giants managed to find three future starting offensive linemen in the 2020 NFL Draft class. Andrew Thomas, at a minimum, will be a solid left tackle for years. He is technically sound, played against top-tier collegiate talent, and dominated through all his years at Georgia. The Giants locked down their most important offensive line position for years when they selected Andrew Thomas fourth overall.

On the opposite side of the line, Matt Peart, out of UCONN, was an extraordinary pick at 99 overall in 2020. He will not be ready to start day one, but after some time developing behind the scenes with Marc Colombo, fixing some flaws he possesses, and adding much-needed strength/muscle mass, Peart has the tools to be a starting right tackle in the NFL. He is athletic with very agile feet and already has solid technique. Just a bit of grooming, and he can make an impact as early as next season.

Kevin Zeitler is the best player on the Giants’ offensive line at the moment. But the thirty-year-old guard is only under contract through 2021 and could be pushed out the door sooner than later by the youthful inexpensive options already on the Giants’ roster. Thirty is still relatively young for an offensive lineman, so maybe he sticks around for a second contract with New York, but eventually, he will go, and I think there is a good chance his replacement is already on the roster.

Zeitler’s replacement could be Nick Gates or Shane Lemieux. At the future right guard position, I placed Nick Gates. Nick Gates and Shane Lemieux could end up switching positions, though, with both players being natural guards training to compete for the center position. But I think Gates’s NFL experience at the right guard position gives him the edge. Lemieux is a high-IQ mauler, though, and already understands the importance of positional versatility and will be prepared to move to center if he must.

When looking at the potential of the future offensive line, one trait stands out in particular: youth. These are all young, growing offensive linemen with high ceilings and plenty of work to do to reach their maximum potential. The future of the Giants’ offensive line is in great shape after the 2020 NFL Draft.

Analyzing New York Giants Rookie OT Matt Peart’s Strengths and Weaknesses

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New York Giants, Matt Peart

The New York Giants crushed the 2020 NFL Draft. After years of disappointing offensive line play, Dave Gettleman and the Giants made it a priority to invest in the trenches. New York spent the fourth overall pick on an offensive tackle, Andrew Thomas out of Georgia, then doubled down at the position in the third round, spending the ninety-ninth overall pick on Matt Peart out of UCONN.

Matt Peart is not expected to be a starter for the Giants in the 2020 NFL season, but he has the potential to be a starter down the road. Matt Peart was not a big-name prospect after playing for four years at UCONN. However, he was an excellent prospect and a great selection at the end of the third round.

Many fans might not know much about Matt Peart, being that he played offensive tackle for the University of Connecticut. So in this article, I will break down Peart’s top strengths and weaknesses for fans to familiarize themselves with the Giants’ potential right tackle of the future.

Strengths:

Excellent Footwork

Matt Peart has quick, agile feet. He gets out of his stance immediately with an excellent kick step. His angle sets are nearly always perfect, and he has more than enough lateral agility to stay in front of opposing speed rushers.

The most impressive skill that Matt Peart possesses is his ability to mirror defenders off the edge. He can quickly shuffle or pivot and stay in front of defenders the entire way around the pocket. Peart’s agility makes it really difficult for opposing edge rushers to get around him.

Rarely do Peart’s feet get flat and stop moving. They also infrequently get too close together or too wide. He has advanced footwork, and it is the biggest strength within his game. His baseline of technique gives him the ability to be at minimum an average offensive tackle in the NFL. But there are other factors to Matt Peart’s game that give him a much higher ceiling than that.

Great Bodytype and Athleticism

Matt Peart is a tall, lanky offensive tackle. He possesses insane 36 5/8” arms, which are “some of the longest the Combine has ever seen,” according to Pro Football Focus. Peart’s long arms give him incredible length when taking on opposing rushers.

Peart’s size, athleticism, and length, as Joe Judge and Dave Gettleman pointed out, give him plenty of upside and a “sizeable ceiling.” Peart also ran a 5.06 40 yard dash at 2020 NFL Combine. His impressive measurables and athletic testing had him standout amongst the offensive tackles projected past the second round.

Weaknesses:

Inconsistent Hand Placement

As proficient as Matt Peart’s feet are, his hands do leave a bit to be desired. Sometimes his hands get too far apart, leaving a huge strike zone on his chest for defenders to grab and control him or to bull-rush through.

There are aspects of Peart’s hand placement to like, however. He does get his hands up rather quickly to initiate the contact, and he does do a good job of clinching the defender’s jersey to easily control them. But Peart can only clinch and control defenders when his hands get inside of their chest, which is why the sometimes erratic and too-wide hand placement can create problems.

Needs To Add Strength

Matt Peart is not exactly a big mauler at offensive tackle. While he has enough strength to get the job done in Division I football, he needs to add strength to be competitive in the NFL. There were times where he was bull-rushed backward in college, causing the pocket to collapse on the quarterback. Sometimes that was the fault of poor hand placement, but other times it was caused by a lack of strength.

In the run game, Peart has good vision and the athleticism to get to the second level. But he does not always make an impact when initiating contact with the defenders on the line of scrimmage. Sometimes he engages in the block and gets no push off the line. Its a bit of a stalemate, and that is OK. But when you factor in the additional strength he will be facing in the pros; it can be concerning. Especially when you watch the film and notice that there are plays in which Peart is actually the one being walked backward while run-blocking, which is obviously the complete opposite of what is supposed to happen.

But Matt Peart is not a weakling. He managed to total 26 reps on the bench at the NFL Combine. That is an impressive number with such long arms. Matt Peart has strength, but adding a bit more power and muscle mass to fill out that large frame will only improve Peart’s game.

Recap

A four-year starter for UCONN, Matt Peart is stepping into the NFL with plenty of playing experience. He also competed amongst other talented pass-rushers at the 2020 Senior Bowl. Nevertheless, do not expect to see Peart on the field much in 2020. The Giants simply do not need to rush him out there. They have the necessary depth at the offensive tackle position to give Matt Peart time to sit and develop. But being that his technique is already great and he has the prototype body and athleticism to be an offensive tackle in the NFL, odds are Peart will progress well enough to earn that starting spot in a year or two. I truly believe that Matt Peart was a steal at ninety-nine overall and that he will be a long-term starter for the New York Giants.

This article is also accompanied by a YouTube video of a film breakdown on Matt Peart. You can check that out here.

New York Giants: Why Matt Peart Might Have Been a Day Two Steal

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Like all NFL teams, the New York Giants spend endless hours trying to find middle and late-round gems each draft. Last year, it was wide receiver Darius Slayton; who led the team in both receiving yards and touchdown receptions as a rookie. In 2018, it was defensive tackle BJ Hill; who set the Giants rookie record for sacks with 5.5. According to many, and with good reason, the Giants might’ve found this year’s gem in offensive tackle Matt Peart. Peart, a four-year starter at the University of Connecticut, brings impressive size and athleticism, an outstanding work ethic, and a high ceiling with plenty of room for growth and development.

Why Matt Peart Might Have Been a Day Two Steal:

His size and athleticism

Size is key for being a starting offensive tackle in today’s NFL, but luckily for Peart, he checks off that box with ease. At the NFL Combine this past February, he measured in at 6’7″ and 318 pounds, making him one of the biggest tackle prospects in the entire draft. His long 36 5/8″ arms will also help him make the transition to the next level a lot easier.

For most, greater size means less athleticism. But that’s not the case for the UConn team-captain. Peart’s 5.06 40-yard-dash time was the eighth-best of all offensive linemen. And of those seven that posted better times, each of them was shorter than Peart, and only two of them weighed more. No wonder Big Blue was intrigued by him.

His excellent work ethic

If there is anything Giants head coach Joe Judge cares more about than talent, it’s work ethic. Coming from the New England Patriots, Judge has seen players with less talent earn starting spots because of a skill only some players possess: the desire to get better. Peart is one of those players.

Since his time at the Governor’s Academy in Byfield, Massachusetts, Peart has prided himself on his work ethic. I spoke with Connecticut redshirt-freshman Winston Jules, a defensive back on the team, about what Peart brings to the team. Jules said, “You got a hard worker for sure.”

On a UConn team that has struggled mightily for years now, it could’ve been easy for Peart to give up on the team and transfer schools. But instead, he chose to work as hard as he could and give it his all for the Huskies. His high-motor says something about not only who he is as an athlete, but as a person as well.

His high ceiling

It is rare a team finds a day-one starter in the late third-round. Most picks are used on players with great potential but aren’t quite ready to make the leap to the NFL. Luckily for Peart, the Giants have no intention of having him start in 2020. The plan is to have veteran Nate Solder start at left tackle, and first-round pick Andrew Thomas on the right. But with Solder’s struggles since joining the team in 2018, and Thomas already having experience on the left, the right tackle spot will be up for grabs in 2021.

That would be a perfect scenario for not only Peart, but the Giants as well. One of the biggest knocks on Peart is his strength, and if given a full season to bulk up, that knock could disappear. Come 2021, Big Blue could have a strong, athletic, long, young tackle helping to keep Daniel Jones upright. Giving Peart a full season to prepare his body for NFL-talent would be huge for someone who is a bit rawer right now.

We might not know until 2021, but it’s possible the Giants found their right tackle of the future at No. 99 overall.

The New York Giants had a legendary first three rounds of the 2020 NFL Draft – Here’s why

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New York Giants, Matt Peart

The New York Giants had a phenomenal start to the 2020 NFL Draft, here’s a look into their picks!

Going into the draft, there were plenty of rumors indicating the Giants could select an offensive tackle, trade back, land Isaiah Simmons, or even pick Derrick Brown, Auburn interior defender. Fast forward past the rumors, and Andrew Thomas was Big Blue’s glorious choice, and what he presents extends beyond our first glance.

Thomas is not only a foundational left tackle with elite traits, but the positional value he holds opens up the Giants’ salary cap for the future. He will essentially be on a rookie deal for five years, taking millions of dollars off the cap and giving the Giants freedom to sign elite pass rushers and other luxury additions to aid in reaching the playoffs.

What does Thomas bring to the team?

The former Georgia Bulldog left tackle is a force in the run game and thinkers down in pass protection. His mauler hands and core strength make it incredibly difficult for pass rushers to beat him on bull rush moves. His ability to mirror rushes and stand his ground makes him a quality pick and injection into the tackle spot. He is bit heavy-legged in getting to the second level, but when he does, there’s no stopping him from punishing defenders attempting to make the tackle.

One of my favorite aspects regarding Thomas is his desire for work. You will never see him standing still waiting for the play to unfold — he’s always trying to land a hit and help his team in every way possible.

In the second round, Big Blue secured Xavier McKinney, the No. 1 rated corner in the draft class. The Alabama product falling to the second wrote the story for the Giants, who saw him as an immediate improvement at free safety and a player who can move around the defense to feature in different roles. Defensive coordinator Patrick Graham loves his safety blitzes, and McKinney can be utilized well in his scheme. Expect to see plenty of three-safety looks in 2020 with Jabrill Peppers, McKinney, and Julian Love. This grouping will move around the defense as Peppers and Love can both interchange in FS and SS roles.

McKinney, though, is one of the best tacklers at the position out of the draft, and his game-speed is far more impressive than his dismal 40-yard dash time from the NFL Combine. Expect to see him flying around the field and acting as a ball-hawk/blitzer in specific sets—another fantastic selection by Gettleman and Co. in the second round.

However, in the third round, the Giants landed Matt Peart, who has the potential to be a starting-level tackle in the NFL. This has to be the most underrated selection of the entire class, based solely on his physical traits and ability to jump to the second level in a hurry. Coming out of UConn undoubtedly comes with its developmental set-backs, but Marc Colombo can work his magic with a player like Peart.

If Peart can develop into the Giants’ starting right tackle for the future, this draft could be one for the history books.