Grading The New York Giants 2020 Draft. The grades are flowing in from the draft gurus and pros. Overall the Giants 2020 draft seems to be a successful venture.
ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr: Grade B
I would have gone with Jedrick Wills Jr. or Tristan Wirfs at No. 4, but Andrew Thomas fits what Gettleman wants in his hog mollies. Thomas is an experienced, athletic, smart player who doesn’t commit penalties. He played left tackle at Georgia but could play right tackle in New York with Nate Solder on the left side. Third-round pick Matt Peart (99) started 48 games for UConn and has the potential to start down the road. There’s no question the Giants’ offensive line is better now.
ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr: Grade B
Pro Football Focus: Grade A
Andrew Thomas was PFF’s OT1 in this class, and a large reason why he got the nod over Tristan Wirfs and Jedrick Wills was his elite production against the best of the best in the SEC. Thomas had a 92.7 overall grade in 2019 that ranked third in the FBS among tackles, and he was one of few to perform at a top-10 level in both pass protection and as a run-blocker. As a matter of fact, Thomas’ overall grade tied for the best we have ever seen from an SEC tackle with La’el Collins back in 2014. Throw in his size, strength and athleticism, and the fact that he did this in an NFL-type of scheme, and he is the best tackle in the class.
Pro Football Focus: Grade A
Draft Wire: Grade B+
For all the grief we’ve all given Dave Gettleman in recent years, he looked like a genius with this class. Georgia’s Andrew Thomas is the most polished, pro-ready tackle in a loaded class, and Alabama safety Xavier McKinney could have easily been a top-25 pick. UConn’s Matt Peart has tons of upside at offensive tackle, and the value got better for the Giants on Day 3. UCLA’s Darnay Holmes is a starting-caliber corner with big-play ability, Oregon’s Shane Lemieux is a mauler of a guard, and the rest of their Day 3 selections all have special teams ability with potential for more. The rebuild took a big step forward with this draft, and I guess we’ll have top stop making fun of Gettleman for a while now.
Draft Wire: Grade B+
Sports Illustrated’s Andy Benoit: Grade B
No surprise the Giants took an offensive tackle, but there was plenty of surprise about which offensive tackle. Few expected the 6’5″, 320-pound Andrew Thomas to be the first offensive tackle taken. In a draft where so many teams need offensive tackle help and so many outstanding offensive tackle prospects are available, it’s surprising New York wasn’t able to trade down and get their guy later. GM Dave Gettleman does not have a history of trading down, but the Giants made it known that they were willing to deal. Obviously, the right offer did not come along, and so the Giants took the guy they like best. What’s to admire about Thomas: 36-inch arms, standout competitiveness, sound pass-blocking mechanics and overall composure. It will be interesting to see if the Giants view Thomas as a right tackle (his likely position for 2020) or a left tackle (his possible position for 2021, when up-and-down veteran Nate Solder could be a cap casualty). Wherever Thomas plays, the hope is that late third-round pick Matt Peart can play the other side.
Sports Illustrated’s Andy Benoit:
Other New York Giants Draft Grades
Checkout Giantswire for additional New York Giants Draft Grades.
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