The New York Giants are sitting pretty with the fourth overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft later this month. They can stand pat and add a player at a need position such as linebacker and at offensive tackle. General manager David Gettleman and Co. could also potentially trade down with a quarterback-needy team.
It’s in this that we provide you yet another team-specific 2020 NFL mock draft focusing on a Giants squad in need of talent across the board.
First round, 12th pick: Henry Ruggs, wide receiver, Alabama
Note: Acquired from the Raiders in trade down from fourth pick
New York has more than one need. Here’s a squad closer to the initial stages of a rebuild than contention. Moving down from the fourth pick with a quarterback-needy team and gaining extra capital makes the most sense. This scenario includes the Giants adding pick No. 19 in a move down eight spots.
In turn, the Giants find a legit No. 1 receiving option for young quarterback Daniel Jones. His ability to get the ball down the field would work wonders with Ruggs’ game-breaking ability. We saw just how dominant this kid could be in space during his time with the Crimson Tide. It’s a match made in heaven.
First-round, 19th pick: Kenneth Murray, linebacker, Oklahoma
Signing Blake Martinez to a three-year, $30.75 million contract was a massive overpay for the Giants. He’s not a long-term solution at linebacker. Enter into the equation and ultra-athletic player in Murray who has elite sideline-to-sideline ability and can cover out in space. He’s been compared to 49ers Pro Bowl linebacker Kwon Alexander.
This type of move would fortify a young and talented defense. Adding Murray to the mix to go with Leonard Williams, Dexter Lawrence, Lorenzo Carter, Deandre Baker and James Bradberry would give New York a tremendous young defensive core group.
Second-round, 36th pick: Kristian Fulton, cornerback, LSU
Despite adding the above-mentioned Bradberry on a lucrative long-term deal, the Giants could not pass up on adding Fulton. Prior to an up-and-down final season with the Tigers and an equally questionable combine performance, Fulton was seen as a potential top-10 pick.
Fulton (6-foot, 197 pounds) is a perfect press corner in defensive coordinator James Bettcher’s scheme. He could ultimately replace Baker on the outside with the former first-round pick moving to the slot. Remember, the Giants have transitioned youngster Julian Love to free safety from corner. There’s a need here.
Third-round, 99th pick: Khalid Kareem, edge, Notre Dame
We know Giants general manager David Gettleman likes himself some defensive linemen. The first three rounds of this month’s draft will not pass without the embattled front office head adding to that position, especially out on the edge.
Kareem showed out during the NFL Scouting Combine and has been ascending the rankings in recent weeks. The 6-foot-4, 268-pound defensive end boasts the frame Gettleman likes among his defensive linemen. He’s also coming off a tremendous final season with the Irish that saw him record 10 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks.
Fourth-round, 110th pick: Matt Peart, offensive tackle, Connecticut
I wanted to go offensive tackle much earlier in the draft. It just did not play out that way in the simulator. New York needs to find a long-term replacement at left tackle for the aging and overpriced Nate Solder. In Peart, the team would be bringing on a youngster who boasts a prototypical 6-foot-7, near 320-pound frame. Peart started at left tackle his first two seasons with the Huskies before earning all-conference honors on the other side of the line. He could be a future starter on either side of the line if his functional strength improves over time.
Fifth-round, 150th pick: Colby Parkinson, tight end, Stanford
The latest in a long line of Stanford tight ends to make the jump to the NFL, Parkinson is an imposing figure at 6-foot-7 and north of 250 pounds. He’s also coming off a tremendous final season with the Cardinal that saw him catch 48 passes for nearly 600 yards. New York has a need at tight end given former first-round pick’s Evan Engram’s continued struggles staying on the field.
Sixth-round, 183rd pick: J.R. Reed, safety, Georgia
As mentioned above, New York moved Julian Love from slot corner to safety. The team also has Jabrill Peppers in the mix after he was acquired in the Odell Beckham Jr. trade. Despite this, depth is an obvious issue. Reed can play both safety positions and would be a core special teams performer out of the gate.
Seventh-round, 218th pick: Trevon Hill, edge, Miami (F)
After addressing the interior of his line multiple times recently, I am looking for Gettleman to go edge once again in the 2020 NFL Draft. With four seventh-round picks, adding a high-upside defender in that of Hill makes sense. The former Hurricanes standout recorded 9.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks last season. He could initially back up Lorenzo Carter at weak-side linebacker.
Seventh-round, 238th pick: Jake Hanson, center, Oregon
Tackle was an obvious need for the Giants heading into the draft. They addressed that with Peart. Now starts a mini run of interior linemen for Gettleman and Co. Hanson was a full-time starter during his time with the Ducks after being a high-value recruit out of California. He could end up being New York’s starting center in short form, replacing an average Spencer Pulley.
Seventh-round, 247th pick: Solomon Kindley, guard, Georgia
Another high-upside player who did not necessarily live up to expectations during the latter part of his college career, Kindley is a massive guard with a mauler mentality. It’s something the Giants value a long the interior of their line. While the team has Will Hernandez and Kevin Zeitler as its starting guards, acquiring more depth makes sense.
Seventh-round, 255th pick: Tony Brown, wide receiver, Colorado
Speaking of depth, adding just one wide receiver in the 2020 NFL Draft wouldn’t make much sense for New York. Outside of Sterling Shepard and Golden Tate, there’s not much to write home about at receiver in Jersey. A 6-foot-1 pass catcher, Brown tallied 56 receptions for north of 700 yards last season. At the very least, he could be a special teams producer early on.