NY Giants: 2020 NFL draft first round targets

With the Giants now out of the race for Chase Young (barring some unexpected slide in the draft or a trade down), it’s time for NY Giants fans to get familiar with some other options.

After being mediocre at best for the majority of the decade, the NY Giants organization has pressure on them to turn things around for a fan base that’s not accustomed to losing. The young core is in place but there are still too many holes on this team and a lack of top talent to be truly competitive.

With the full coaching staff yet to be hired (outside of wildcard head coach Joe Judge), it’s difficult to find a good scheme fit, being that there isn’t a scheme yet. However, when you’re picking fourth overall, there are players available who could fit almost any scheme.

Today, we’ll be looking at some of the NY Giants’ best options with the fourth overall pick.

1. Jeff Okudah CB OSU

Starting off with who I’d consider the best of the bunch, THE cornerback out of THE Ohio State University has all of the tools to be a star in the NFL. Jeff Okudah started the season in the mix for CB1 but quickly ran away with the title. Whether it be in man coverage or zone, Okudah has the ability to lock down his assignment.

While there is an abundance of youth in this NY Giants secondary, Okudah would instantly be the best cover man of the bunch. The secondary would likely then become Okudah and DeAndre Baker on the outside with Sam Beal, Corey Ballentine, Grant Haley, or someone not yet on the team in the slot backed by Jabrill Peppers and Julian Love as the safeties.

There would obviously be miscues but the potential of that group is definitely enticing.

2. Isaiah Simmons LB Clemson

The second prospect is arguably my favorite player to watch in the 2020 NFL Draft, Clemson defender Isaiah Simmons. Simmons is easily one of the most versatile football players, not just defenders, that I’ve ever seen.

With the ability to cover just about any offensive player, rush the passer, spy the QB, and make stops in the run game, Simmons is a fit in any scheme. No matter who’s calling the plays defensively, as long as they don’t try to keep Simmons is a box defensively and they let him move all around the field, I think he’ll have no issues succeeding.

The NY Giants have struggled to find a sideline-to-sideline linebacker ever since Antonio Pierce departed, so landing Simmons would be huge.

3. Jedrick Wills Jr. OT Alabama

Wills is someone who has recently gotten himself into my OT1 slot. Arguably the most dominant run-blocker in the draft, Jedrick Wills Jr. brings pure strength to an offensive line that has been looking to get meaner. Wills should also be capable of playing at either tackle spot effectively.

While he’s not the quickest tackle in the class, his mean streak, physicality, and raw power are enticing. Power rushers should struggle mightily when trying to take on Wills, but I’d expect speed/finesse guys to find more consistent success.

Saquon Barkley would be licking his lips to get a chance to run behind a guy like Willis Jr., as the run blocking up front for the NY Giants this year was lackluster at best.

4. Andrew Thomas OT Georgia

The guy who was OT1 for many people going into the season is Andrew Thomas, who’s still OT1 for plenty of people. Thomas is another guy that has fantastic power as a blocker and is a real mover in the run game. The experience that Thomas is bringing as a multi-year starting left tackle in a pro style system is one of the biggest positives for him.

Much like Jedrick Wills, Andrew Thomas isn’t the quickest tackle around. His footwork is his biggest flaw but he’s got experience, power, IQ, and some of the best hands on the offensive line in the 2020 NFL Draft.

Nonetheless, he’s got all the physical tools to be the NY Giants’ left tackle for a decade.

5. A.J. Epenesa EDGE Iowa

Off the bat, one of the most impressive things you’ll see when watching A.J. Epenesa is that he’s a massive human being. Listed at 6’6” and 280 pounds, there are few players with his size that are capable of playing on the edge like him. Going into the season, Epenesa was my EDGE1 and although he’s now down to EDGE2, that’s more of a product of how Chase Young exploded onto the scene and less about Epenesa dropping.

While he doesn’t offer as much pass-rushing upside as Young, Epenesa has showcased his ability to blow up the line of scrimmage against both the run and pass. His versatility along the defensive line is intriguing, as I’d say he’s capable of playing defensive end in both a 3-4 and 4-3, while also being able to play a few snaps as a 3-technique in a 4-3. An unrelenting motor is never a bad thing to have on the defensive line, especially from such a talented player.

Missing out on Chase Young is tough, but landing A.J. Epensa would be a solid consolation prize for Big Blue.

Trade Down

6. Trade down

The NY Giants should seriously be fielding offers for the #4 overall pick. Could the Giants use some of the top talent in the draft? Absolutely, but they’ve also got one of the weakest rosters in the league and nine picks in the 2020 Draft. While nine sounds like a good number of picks, only three of those are expected to be in the top 100 picks, with one of them being in the mid-late 90s based on compensation for the Landon Collins contract.

With Tua Tagovailoa declaring and the Miami Dolphins having expressed interest in drafting him to be their quarterback of the future, teams like the Chargers and Panthers could be looking to move up slightly to snag Tua from under the Dolphins.

Other, far less likely options, could be if the Raiders, Colts, or Buccaneers felt the need to move up for a quarterback before the Dolphins can grab one.