New York Giants NFL Draft Picks 2020: Round-by-Round Results, Grades
The New York Giants finished the 2019 season at 4-12, their third consecutive losing season since their most recent playoff appearance in 2016. The year saw a changing of the guard at quarterback, as rookie Daniel Jones started 12 games and usurped Eli Manning as the franchise's starter. When the dust settled, head coach Pat Shurmur was fired, and the team hired Joe Judge as his replacement.
Judge spent the previous five seasons as the special teams coordinator for the New England Patriots, and was hired by the Giants after getting an endorsement from Bill Belichick.
The Giants' 2019 draft was headlined by the selection of Jones with the No. 6 pick, but the team also had two other first-round choices: defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence (No. 17) and cornerback Deandre Baker (No. 30). Lawrence started every game during. his rookie season, with 38 tackles and 2.5 sacks. Baker made 15 starts and had 61 tackles.
According to The MMQB's NFC East team needs, the Giants could look for a replacement at right tackle after the departure of veteran Mike Remmers. They might also target pass-catchers to help arm Jones with more weapons to throw to. Defensively, edge rushers may be an area of emphasis.
The Giants hold the No. 4 pick in the first round. You can follow along with GiantsCounty's draft live blog.
A full list of New York's picks will be updated below as the draft progresses.
Giants 2020 Draft Picks
Round 1, Pick 4 (No. 4 overall): Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia
Andy Benoit's analysis: No surprise about the position but plenty of surprise about the player; few expected the 6'5", 320-pound 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). Grade: C+
Round 2, No. 36 overall: Xavier McKinney, S, Alabama
Andy Benoit's analysis: Consider McKinney a catch-all solution for a Giants secondary that was quietly better inside than people realize. Or, potentially better, since they’re counting on last year’s fourth-round free safety, Julian Love, building on his intriguing rookie season and former Browns first-round strong safety Jabrill Peppers performing at a star level. In today’s NFL you need three quality safeties, and it really helps if one of those safeties can play the slot, as that provides answers inside against both three-receiver and two-tight end personnel. McKinney offers diverse value. Grade: B
Round 3, No. 99 overall: Matt Peart, OT, UConn
Andy Benoit's analysis: When they took Andrew Thomas fourth overall, the analysis essentially said: They needed a right tackle in 2020, and they might need a left tackle in 2021. Apparently, GM Dave Gettleman agrees. Grade: A
Round 4, No. 110 overall: Darnay Holmes, CB, UCLA
Round 5, No. 150 overall: Shane Lemieux, G, Oregon
Round 6, No. 183 overall: Cameron Brown, LB, Penn State
Round 7, No. 218 overall: Carter Coughlin, EDGE, Minnesota
Round 7, No. 238 overall: T.J. Brunson, LB, South Carolina
Round 7, No. 247 overall: Chris Williamson, CB, Minnesota
Round 7, No. 255 overall: Tae Crowder, LB, Georgia
This post will be updated.