With a major deficiency at offensive tackle, the NY Giants are likely to spend a high pick in the draft on the position, here are five players to consider.
The tackle position has been a revolving door for the NY Giants for nearly a decade now, with ten different players starting at least six games at the right and left tackle positions over the past ten seasons.
The lack of continuity is a direct result of poor drafting, even worse free agent signings and overall negligence from both former general manager Jerry Reese and current general manager Dave Gettleman to adequately address a position that is so critical to the success of the team’s offense.
Reese thought he had his franchise tackle of the future when he drafted Ereck Flowers out of the University of Miami with the ninth overall selection of the 2015 draft. However, Flowers would flounder for the better part of four seasons with the Giants at both right and left tackle and the team would not pick up his fifth-year option on his rookie contract, making Flowers one of the biggest draft busts in NY Giants history.
Following the release of Flowers, Dave Gettleman thought he had finally addressed the void at tackle when he signed free agent tackle Nate Solder to a record 4-year $62 million contract in 2018. However, Solder has been a shell of the player he was in New England, allowing a whopping 18 quarterback sacks in his first two years with the Giants.
As a result, the NY Giants are rumored to be considering cutting Solder, eating $7 million in dead cap space to rid themselves of the underperforming tackle’s massive contract. If the team does, in fact, decide to move on from Solder, they will certainly be in the market for a new left tackle. With limited options in free agency and the premium contracts that the position commands, the best option to fill this need is through the draft.
The outlook for the future of the right tackle position for the Giants is not much brighter. Last offseason the Giants signed veteran offensive lineman Mike Remmers to play right tackle. However, back and leg injuries have severely limited the abilities of the 8-year veteran and while undrafted free agent rookie Nick Gates looked promising last season, the Giants may opt to upgrade the right tackle position in the draft as well.
The good news for the NY Giants is that this year’s draft is loaded with talent at the tackle position. One would have to believe that if the Giants will look to upgrade one or both of their tackle positions early on in the draft.
As a result, we examine five of the top tackles in the upcoming draft, as they are all potential targets for the Giants.
1. Jedrick Wills – Alabama
Jedrick Wills represents arguably the best tackle prospect in the 2020 NFL draft. The 6’5″ and 320-pound tackle possesses a rare blend of strength, athleticism, and technique. The one knock on him is that he has only played at the right tackle position and it is unknown how he would handle a potential switch to the left side of the line.
Wills is the most fundamentally sound tackle in the draft. He is technically advanced at both run blocking and pass blocking, where most of his counterparts excel at one or the other. Wills is a mauler in pass blocking situations and a road grader in run blocking.
Massive strength is one of the best characteristics of Wills. He utilizes a strong leg drive to move opponents off of the ball. In addition, Wills possesses incredible upper body strength and extremely strong hands to deliver strong punches to defenders and easily handles bullrushes as a result.
In addition to being extremely strong, Wills features excellent footwork on the line. He has extremely quick feet and moves in a fluid manner for a man of his size. As a result, Wills has a great range of motion with incredible balance and control.
Wills is a pro at finishing blocks, often dumping rushers before releasing into space and getting into the second level of the defense to make additional blocks with the greatest of ease. In addition, he routinely gets a good vertical push on run blocking plays.
The former 5-star recruit is excellent at all facets of pass blocking, where he utilizes his long frame and great awareness to protect the quarterback. Wills also has the mean streak that franchises look for in their offensive linemen. He is passionate and not afraid to deliver epic trash talk to opponents. In addition, he is credited as having an extremely high football IQ.
The only reason that Wills might get leapfrogged by other tackle prospects in the draft is the uncertainty of whether or not he projects as a left tackle in the NFL. With the left tackle position guarding the blindside of the quarterback, it is a more premium position than the right tackle.
Many experts project Wills as a better right tackle or guard in the NFL. Regardless, he is more fundamentally sound than any tackle prospect in the draft and represents a player with an extremely bright future in the NFL.
The Giants would be wise to consider him with the fourth overall pick in the draft.
2. Andrew Thomas – Georgia
If the NY Giants feel that the left tackle position is the biggest priority, then Andrew Thomas is more likely to be the selection than Jedrick Willis, as Thomas is the highest-rated left tackle in the draft this year.
At 6’5″ and 320-pounds, Thomas definitely has the tall, girthy frame of an NFL tackle. Currently, he possesses elite run blocking ability and projects as a franchise left tackle in a power blocking scheme. However, while his pass blocking isn’t poor, there are concerns about him in pass blocking situations in a system with a quarterback needs additional time in the pocket.
Thomas needs to improve on his footwork in pass blocking and can have issues with better pass rushers. This would serve as a concern for the Giants who have a quarterback with a tendency to hold on to the ball a bit too long, as they would likely want Thomas to start at left tackle immediately.
That said, Thomas does project to be an excellent tackle in the NFL. He has quick feet, fluid hips, and is extremely athletic. Thomas does an excellent job with framing blocks well in pass blocking situations, has precision timing and a very high football IQ.
The player comparisons given to Andrew Thomas by draft experts should leave Giants fans excited about the possibility of drafting him. The player comparisons that he has drawn most are to Ronnie Stanley, Jason Peters and Trent Williams, all of whom are Pro Bowl tackles.
The Giants would likely need to use their fourth overall pick to select Thomas, something that they may not be willing to do given that game-changing defensive talents such as Isaiah Simmons and/or Jeff Okudah are likely to still be available at the fourth pick and the tackle position is so deep in this year’s draft that they likely can get a franchise tackle later in the draft.
3. Tristan Wirfs – Iowa
If the Giants are looking for an absolute mauler to fill their need at the tackle position, then Tristan Wirfs should be of interest to them. Wirfs is one of the strongest individuals in the draft and utilizes that strength to dominate along the offensive line.
At 6’5″ and 322-pounds, Wirfs possesses a powerful lower body to drive opposing defenders backward as well as massive upper body and hand strength that he utilizes to deliver blows that stun pass rushers. Wirfs has the overall strength to be absolutely physically dominating in the NFL.
Wirfs is more than sheer strength on the offensive line though. He has extremely nimble, quick feet, fluid hips, and is mobile, which allows him to excel in both in both pass and run blocking. With his above-average athleticism at the position, coupled with excellent technique and intelligence, Wirfs is able to control the line of scrimmage.
With long reachability and a high motor, he is able to seal blocks in the run game with ease. However, he has difficulty releasing and getting to the second level in run blocking and needs to improve upon this in the NFL if he hopes to maximize his potential.
Wirfs is a tenacious, high-motor player that gives 100% all of the time. However, he has issues at times with speed rushers or pass rushers who are athletic and must improve on his ability to protect the quarterback against these types of rushers.
Wirfs may be better suited to play right tackle or guard in the NFL, which is something that the Giants must consider when drafting him. He currently projects as a top to the middle of the first-round selection.
The NY Giants would need to either reach for Wirfs with the fourth pick, trade back to select him later in the first round or miraculously have him slip to the beginning of the second round if they hope to draft him.
4. Mekhi Becton – Louisville
If the NY Giants are looking to draft a massive tackle with a ton of upside, Mekhi Becton from Louisville should be their guy. At 6’7″ and 375-pounds, Becton is a mountain of a man and presents a challenge for defenders based on his size alone.
However, there is more than just size to the mammoth Becton, as he exhibits athleticism that should be illegal for someone of his gargantuan size. His fluid hips and quick feet allow him to be an extremely mobile blocker. In addition, he rolls his hips well in protection and shows an excellent range of motion.
At 6’7″, Becton has a massive wingspan that gives him reaching ability that is as solid as anyone in the league. His massive size presents a challenge for defenders to deal with getting by and allows him to overcome some of his mistakes.
His size and strength allow him to simply uproot defenders when blocking. He possesses the heaviest hands in this draft class and when he is able to get a defender in his grip, it is game over. He uses his impressive upper and lower body strength to absolutely maul defenders in run blocking schemes.
Becton has a nasty streak in him and finishes blocks strong. Also, he exhibits the ability to get upfield to make second-level blocks with great ease. He is extremely powerful as the point of attack and possesses excellent awareness in pass blocking.
Still a bit raw, Becton has room to improve upon his technique, which includes becoming more consistent with his handwork. In addition, he has struggled with weight issues in the past. He slimmed down prior to the beginning of last season and displayed improved quickness and athleticism as a result. He will need to keep his weight in check to excel in the NFL.
Currently, Becton represents a potential option for the NY Giants in the second round of the draft. However, given that he is an accomplished left tackle and the fact that he is an athletic prowess despite being such a massive man, there is a good chance that Becton skyrockets up draft boards with a solid showing at the combine.
If the Giants were able to somehow draft Isaiah Simmons in the first round, to address a need on defense, while still being able to get a franchise left tackle in the second round in Becton, the franchise and their fans would be ecstatic.
5. Austin Jackson – USC
If Mekhi Becton does move up the draft board and is not a viable option as a second-round selection for the NY Giants, it would be wise to turn their attention to Austin Jackson of USC, who is expected to still be available early in the second round.
Jackson represents another high-upside tackle who could develop into an All-Pro in due time. He’s 6’6″ and 310-pounds and his frame presents the opportunity to add mass and strength in the NFL.
Jackson is one of the most athletic tackles in the draft. He has extremely quick feet, ideal length and is extremely graceful and under control. As a result, he comes off the ball hard, is able to seal off blocks and gets to the second level with relative ease.
Despite possessing great athletic ability and size, Jackson represents a bit of a developmental project, as he needs to refine a number of key skills. Perhaps the most concerning is the fact that he tends to tip-off whether the offense is planning to call a run or pass play based upon his stance on the line. He will need to rectify that quickly if he hopes to have success in the NFL.
In addition, he is a bit soft at times and lacks the mean streak that franchises look for in their offensive linemen. He possesses only an average punch, lacks elite strength, doesn’t sustain blocks with great consistency and does not have an explosive first punch. As a result, he struggles at times defending speed rushers.
Many of these issues could be addressed by adding size and strength and with a few minor adjustments to his technique. Despite some of the knocks against him, Jackson showed the ability to be a solid pass protector at USC. He recovers quickly and shows a great deal of hustle and work ethic.
Jackson also demonstrated excellent leverage in his run blocking and is much more advanced in run blocking schemes than pass blocking. He currently projects as a better right tackle or guard in the NFL than a left tackle.
However, if he is able to add mass and strength and refine his skills, he could represent a potential steal at left tackle for the NY Giants in round two.