Giants NFL Draft preview: One big pick, two areas of need

The debate is ongoing and the next days should make one side joyous and the other despondent. Unless the Giants can get this so very right that they solve two debilitating problems in the first three rounds of the 2020 draft. If there is some way for them to balance this out perfectly and claim …

The debate is ongoing and the next days should make one side joyous and the other despondent.

Unless the Giants can get this so very right that they solve two debilitating problems in the first three rounds of the 2020 draft.

If there is some way for them to balance this out perfectly and claim a playmaker on defense — Isaiah Simmons, come on down — and also secure at least one — and, preferably, two — offensive linemen capable of emerging as Day 1 or early starters, general manager Dave Gettleman will have hit the lottery and set the Giants up nicely in Joe Judge’s first season as head coach.

Can it happen? Doubtful. More likely, it is an either-or scenario about to play out, starting Thursday night in the first round of a truly unprecedented draft — with front office executives, coaches and scouts all working and selecting remotely in deference to COVID-19 social distancing guidelines.

With the No. 4-overall pick, the Giants expect to see Simmons on the board and can solve a bunch of problems on defense by taking the multidimensional Clemson linebacker/safety. The Giants, though, are so determined to finally fix their offensive line that it will be exceedingly difficult for them to pass up Jedrick Wills (Alabama), Andrew Thomas (Georgia) or Tristan Wirfs (Iowa) with their first pick. Mekhi Becton of Louisville is the other top offensive tackle prospect.

So, think offensive tackle in the first round for the Giants.

If the Giants pass on Simmons, they are unlikely, unless they get lucky, to be able to find a difference-making player capable of instantly upgrading their defense. If they pass on an offensive lineman at No. 4, the other top-rated tackles — Josh Jones (Houston), Austin Jackson (USC) and Ezra Cleveland (Boise State) — are strong enough options, but there is every reason to believe two of them will already be gone early in the second round.

The Giants need someone to start immediately, most likely at right tackle, unless they want to move incumbent left tackle Nate Solder out of his natural spot. Judge did say long-term potential is more important to him than short-term needs.

The Giants have 10 picks in total, but they are bottom-heavy, with seven of the picks on Day 3 and four of them in the seventh round.

Trading down a few spots in the first round — easier said than done — would mean no Simmons, but it would ensure the Giants get one of their top offensive tackles, which would be the best-case scenario for Gettleman.

With so much focus on the desire to move down from the No. 4 pick, there is another trade scenario that might make more sense for the Giants. When they look at their 10 draft slots, the Giants are mesmerized — in a bad way — with the cavernous gap from No. 36 in the second round to their next pick, No. 99 late in the third round. This is the aftereffect of the unpopular trade for Leonard Williams, as the Jets own the No. 68-overall pick as part of the compensation.

Seeing 62 premium players come off the board in the direct sweet spot of the depth in this year’s draft is a sight the Giants want to avoid. If they can trade down a few spots from 36 and reclaim a third-round pick, it would greatly balance out their board.

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“Does it really drop off after 15 players, does it really drop off after 25 players, I can’t really speak to that,’’ Gettleman said. “But, I just know that it’s a good draft. You can’t say that if you’re not picking in the top 15 you’re in trouble. You can’t say that.’’

The 38-year-old Judge, involved in a draft for the first time as a head coach and not as a special teams assistant or coordinator, was indoctrinated in the New England method when it comes to selecting players. He is not interested in short-term fixes.

“To me, it’s about finding the upside of the player, of looking down the long scope of a career and seeing who’s going to be the best player with the most upside for you,’’ Judge said.

The real challenge is picking players capable of helping now, improving and then helping even more in the future. The Giants will soon be on the clock.