The NY Giants selected 10 players in the 2020 NFL Draft. The team got lots of contributions from their rookie class, here we recap every rookie.
The NY Giants had a big 2020 draft class with 10 total players.
The rookies made a lot of big plays, they created some turnovers, and provided glimpses of hope for the team’s young foundation.
Overall, nine of the ten drafted rookies saw snaps with the Giants in their first season. The team liked what they saw from guys they expected to contribute, but they also found unlikely rookie players stepping up in bigger roles than probably expected.
The rookie class went beyond just the ten players drafted, the team found some exciting contributions from all over the roster including their undrafted free agents.
Here, we evaluate and grade the 2020 NY Giants rookies and what to expect for next season.
Round 1, #4 Overall: OT Andrew Thomas, Georgia
Andrew Thomas had an up-and-down first season in the NFL.
As expected, there were growing pains and struggles, but there were many dominant performances and impressive reps on film that provides much hope for the future.
Thomas had a slow start to the season as he let up five sacks in his first five games. It seemed that his technique was breaking down and he was struggling with defenders’ counter moves and quickness to beat him inside.
Over the second half of the season, Thomas really settled in at left tackle and became a trustworthy figure for Daniel Jones’ blindside. Thomas solidified his role on the starting line and instilled the faith that the organization put into him to make him the #4 overall pick of this draft.
PFF did not grade Thomas kindly, as shown by his 107th overall pass blocker, 65th best run blocker, and 78th best tackle in the league. Overall, these are not kind numbers but they don’t nearly tell the full story nor does the tape indicate Thomas ever played that poorly consistently.
Go back and watch the film on Thomas’ dominant performances on players such as Chase Young, Montez Sweat, Demarcus Lawrence, Aldon Smith, amongst many others. Thomas faced an intense gauntlet of proven, distinguished pass rushers all year and he handled everything thrown his way with some impressive play and technique from the #4 pick.
Thomas had a lot forced upon him in his rookie year. He became the team’s imminent left tackle after Nate Solder opted out due to COVID-19. From there, his position coach (Colombo) was fired midway through the season, and his new coach (DeGuglielmo) came in and seemingly picked up where Colombo left off.
Rookie Year Grade: B
2021 Role and Beyond:
Thomas will be the unquestioned left tackle for 2021 and hopefully many more years to come.
Round 2, #36 Overall: DB Xavier McKinney, Alabama
It took a while, but Xavier McKinney gave NY Giants fans some excitement and big plays as many hoped for.
McKinney’s rookie season got off to a bad start as a fractured foot in training camp put his rookie season on pause. McKinney got hurt right before the season started and was expected to have a significant and versatile starting role. Instead, he was placed on injured reserve and his first NFL season was cast into doubt.
Xavier rehabbed and recovered well, and he returned to the field to make his NFL debut in Week 12 in Cincinnati. McKinney sparingly some snaps on defense at all his first two games but did a good job on special teams and proved to the coaching staff he was ready for the larger role he anticipated heading into Week One.
McKinney saw 64% or more of the team’s snaps on defense over the last three weeks and he showed his unique skillset with being deployed all over the field and showing off his range covering deep halves, playing Cover 1 deep as the single-high safety, and moving down into the box and playing closer to the line of scrimmage.
In his last two games, McKinney racked up 16 tackles with two eight-tackle performances in a row. In his last game, McKinney truly shined and made his impact felt all over the field and showcased why he should have been a 1st round pick. McKinney had eight tackles with one for a loss, one pass deflection, one really impressive interception that was overturned by a penalty, and he had the game-clinching interception in his endzone to eliminate the Cowboys from the playoffs.
Rookie Year Grade: B-
2021 Role and Beyond:
Xavier McKinney will enter 2021 as one of the team’s most important and potent defenders. Pat Graham will have another full offseason to evaluate him and figure out creative ways to integrate him into the defense.
McKinney will be part of the Giants’ trio of safeties along with Jabrill Peppers and Logan Ryan. All three players are smart, tough, and versatile players who can line up all over the field and cause serious headaches for opposing quarterbacks. McKinney is one of the team’s brightest young players and will be a prime breakout player to watch in 2021.
Round 3, #99 overall: OT Matt Peart, UCONN
The NY Giants double-dipped with two tackles in their first three rounds of the draft. Matt Peart was seen as a raw, developing tackle with exceptional arm length, footwork, and size that make scouts drool when thinking about his potential.
The Giants took Peart 99th overall. The team acknowledged he would have a lot of work to do and that he could be heading into an unofficial “Redshirt” rookie season.
Injuries, an offensive line rotation, and a yearning for experience led to Peart seeing the field in his first season. Peart saw 153 total snaps on offense. There is a good amount of film to work with and see what worked and what didn’t for the UCONN rookie.
He held up very well in the Giants’ first win of the year vs Washington. Peart held the WFT front seven in check all game from the right side. Peart started off the year surprisingly strong but his performance dropped as the season went on.
The low point of Peart’s rookie season was against the Ravens in Week 16. In the 4th quarter, the Giants let up sacks on three consecutive plays in a disastrous sequence to all but end the game. It appeared at least two of the sacks could be pinned on Peart and he was clearly overwhelmed and overmatched by an explosive, veteran Baltimore pass rush.
All things considered, Peart showed a lot of the reasons the team was excited about his potential on the field. His raw strength, size, and athleticism is better than most tackles. As he refines his technique and sees more and more NFL snaps, there’s real optimism to think he can be an answer at right tackle which has been a huge problem in NY for years.
Rookie Year Grade: B
2021 Role and Beyond:
Expect Peart to get as many chances as possible to win the starting right tackle job next season. Peart will definitely face competition whether the team opts to resign Cameron Fleming, the impending return and decision on Nate Solder, and the team can still opt to add another tackle via the draft or free agency.
The Giants used a rotation at right tackle in 2020. If the team feels Peart is still not ready for the job full-time, you can expect to see a veteran free agent or another high draft pick push Peart for the job. Dave Gettleman is infatuated with big men up front and Peart is an exciting prospect for this team’s future.
Round 4, #110 Overall: CB Darnay Holmes, UCLA
Darnay Holmes was an excellent 4th round draft pick for the NY Giants. Holmes showed a ton of promise as the team’s future nickelback and slot corner for the foreseeable future. The UCLA product showed good man skills, he did well in zone, and he also displayed potential as a blitzer from the slot off the edge.
Darnay played 12 games, missing time with a knee injury, and he started five games in his first season. He lived up to his rookie expectations and proved he could compete in this league and his athleticism and intelligence allow him to do a good job in coverage.
Holmes had one interception in the team’s upset in Seattle, five pass deflections, he had a fumble recovery on Monday Night Football vs the Bucs, he had 0.5 a sack despite coming close multiple times all year, and had 30 total tackles. #30 flashed big time in his rookie year and the team will need him to lock down the slot and chase receivers inside for years to come.
Rookie Year Grade: B+
Role in 2021 and Beyond:
Holmes should have the starting role again in the slot in 2021. He fully proved he is capable of starting in a pinch and he is an exciting, effective young player.
His game is similar to Aaron Ross’ who was a terrific slot corner for the Giants for several years. With any luck, Holmes can follow similar blueprints and help bring home some trophies to New York.
5th Round, #150 Overall: OL Shane Lemieux, Oregon
The Giants got some contributions from their 5th round rookie draft pick two years in a row. After Darius Slayton hit in 2019, Lemieux came into a starting role in 2020 for nine games (over half the season).
Lemieux played in 12 total games and started in nine. In those games, his results were a bag of mixed results.
Lemieux had his rookie struggles for the better part of the season as he adjusted to NFL life after playing in the Pac-12. Lemieux came into the league with a run-mauling reputation and he certainly showed that ability in year one.
Lemieux took over for Will Hernandez in the starting lineup after he contracted COVID-19. From there, he never lost his starting gig and showed some good and bad on the field.
Lemieux was a good run blocker who showcased some physicality, a nasty streak, and the ability to push a man or a pile. He helped paved the way for multiple inside runs for touchdowns over the last eight weeks.
Lemieux struggled in pass protection. He struggled with his technique and handling interior pass rushers. He allowed five sacks all year and gave up far too many pressures inside.
Rookie Year Grade: CD+
2021 Role and Beyond:
Expect Lemieux to compete with Hernandez for a starting job in 2021, if the Giants don’t sign a veteran or draft a guard high. Hernandez will be facing a huge test in year four to win his job back and then do a good enough job to keep it. He won’t back down from a fight and won’t be easy to take a job from.
6th Round, #183 Overall: LB Cam Brown, Penn State
Cam Brown had a very solid rookie season in New York. The 6th rounder from Penn State, he made contributions on both special teams and defense.
Brown played in 15 games and is yet to start a game. Cam was a core special teamer who saw over 75% of the snaps on special teams in every game but one. It was Brown who made the game-saving shoestring tackle on Alex Erickson on a punt return to stop a game-winning drive or return from ensuing. From there, the defense forced a fumble and won the game for the team on the very next play.
Rookie Year Grade: B+
2021 Role and Beyond:
Cam Brown figures to be a key special-teamer for years to come. He is a sound player with a nice blend of size, length, and range.
Brown will likely be depth at both outside linebacker and off the edge. He showed some ability to disrupt as a rusher with three QB hits in limited snaps. Brown was a rookie who did his job adequately most weeks and never made any glaring mistakes. You can’t ask for much more from the 6th rounder. Look for Brown to be a member of the NY Giants’ linebackers for the next few years a key backup and depth player.
Round 7, #218 Overall: LB Carter Coughlin, Minnesota
Carter Coughlin was another late-round contributor for NY this season. Coughlin made the team’s 53-man roster and worked his way up the ladder from special teams player to defensive contributor.
Coughlin saw 192 snaps on defense. Many of his snaps at the beginning of the year were in specific situations and packages, mainly obvious passing situations.
As time went on, Carter saw over 10 or more snaps on defense over the last six weeks. He showed some burst off the edge with a natural feel for the ball and was able to chase down some mobile quarterbacks.
Rookie Year Grade: B+
2021 Role and Beyond:
Coughlin will continue to be a leader on special teams and continue to make some splash plays on his special units. Carter has the right mindset, body type, and selfless character to be a team player who gives it his all on every snap.
On defense, he will continue to develop and add to his pass-rushing arsenal. He had one sack, along with one other right at the line of scrimmage on Russ Wilson, he had two tackles for a loss, two QB hits, and 17 tackles in two starts. The upside is there for Coughlin to be one of hopefully many day three steals from the 2020 draft for the NY Giants.
7th Round, #238 Overall: LB T.J. Brunson, South Carolina
Brunson saw few snaps in his rookie season. The former Gamecock saw snaps on specials in five games, with action in weeks 7-9 and weeks 16 and 17. The rookie didn’t show much on the field this year and will be competing to be a fringe player at best for next year.
Rookie Grade: Incomplete
2021 Role and Beyond:
Brunson has an intriguing skill set and size to work with, but he is clearly a raw NFL player. It makes his role for the future even more unclear when his fellow 2020 draft picks all saw significantly bigger roles than he did in year one.
Brunson will be fighting for a roster spot next year. At best, he makes the team as a backup reserve linebacker and special teamer. If not, he could be cut after training camp.
7th Round, #247 Overall: DB Chris Williamson, Minnesota
Williamson was cut after the team’s training camp concluded in September. There was seemingly no room for Williamson as the team made acquisitions elsewhere and went with different guys in the secondary.
Williamson was on the Giants practice squad but was eventually cut and then signed with Atlanta’s practice squad.
7th Round, #255 Overall, LB Tae Crowder, Georgia
“Mr. Irrelevant” himself, Tae Crowder thrived in his rookie season. The talented, explosive player from Georgia more than proved his worth and relevancy in the NFL.
Tae had the Giants’ biggest play of the season up to that point in Week 6, as he scooped and scored on a game-winning fumble recovery for a touchdown. The play gave the team much-needed life and awarded the Giants their first win and Coach Judge’s first career win as a head coach.
Crowder started the season like most day three rookies do. He carved out a role on special teams and made some nice plays and big tackles to show his talent to the coaching staff. Injuries, poor performances, and a chance to evaluate an intriguing rookie in Crowder created a path for him to see extensive snaps defensively.
A running back turned linebacker, Crowder has exceptional speed and can cover the field sideline-to-sideline. Tae was all over the field in year one in a variety of roles and positions.
Rookie Year Grade: A-
2021 Role and Beyond:
Crowder should be a good depth linebacker for NY but probably isn’t a full-time starter. The team may want to add a more experienced, proven middle linebacker to play next to Blake Martinez but Crowder may end up being the guy to fill that role.
Tae Crowder ended his memorable first season with six starts in 11 games, one pass deflection, one sack, three tackles for a loss, three additional QB hits, 57 total tackles, and one game-winning fumble recovery for a 43-yard return for the touchdown.
Crowder is a dynamic athlete who moves much faster pace than most guys his size or at his position at linebacker. Crowder was a fun rookie to watch who played with speed and guts with a knack for making plays in opponents’ backfields.
UDFA: EDGE/LB Niko Lalos, Dartmouth
Niko Lalos was one of the best feel-good stories about the NY Giants 2020 season.
The product from Lebron James’ very own uproots, St. Vincent St. Mary, was a terrific story and pleasant surprise for the Giants defense.
Lalos made his NFL debut in Week 12 in the team’s win in Cincinnati. In only eight defensive snaps, Lalos found a way to come up with a game-changing play thanks to a diving interception off a tipped pass. The interception directly led to an ensuing field goal from Graham Gano which ended up being the difference in the game as NY won 19-17.
Lalos followed suit again the following week in Seattle. Facing one of the league’s best offenses, Lalos took advantage of the opportunity presented to him as he ripped and fought his way to a fumble recovery off a Wilson fumble.
Lalos never started a game yet came up with two timely turnovers in back-to-back wins. He received plenty of buzz as an undrafted Ivy League player and was getting love and shoutouts on Twitter from Lebron James himself.
The viral sensation was a great subplot in the Giants season. Lalos’ turnover streak didn’t last but he proved to deserve more snaps for the future.
Rookie Year Grade: A
2021 Role and Beyond:
By no means a lock to make the 2021 team, Lalos will again have to fight for a roster spot in 2021. This is the normal life of an undrafted, year or year two NFL player.
While Lalos was on a hot streak for two games, he must stay consistent to stay in the league and on this team long-term. He has the will to compete and the ability to prove people wrong already, Lalos’ underdog story will continue into training camp next year with some intense position battles to settle the team;’s edge, linebackers, and special teams units.
UDFA: WR Austin Mack, Ohio State
Austin Mack was another pleasant surprise for the NY Giants. Mack carved a role out in the offense and showed his willingness to block and ability to get open and make catches.
Mack saw time in 11 games with one start. In that time, he saw numerous opportunities come his way with some success and some missed opportunities.
Mack hauled in only seven catches and 91 yards but he was a positive presence on the Giants’ offense. He was a blocker on several rush attempts and he had the ability to set an edge and move defenders upfield.
Rookie Year Grade: C+
2021 Role and Beyond:
Mack will be back in 2021. He will get every opportunity in camp and during the offseason o further establish and create a role in this offense. With Golden Tate unlikely to return, the team will need somebody to fill his spot in the slot at receiver.
Mack will be one of many vying for roster spots inside the receiver’s room. He will need to fend off returning players on the roster, the practice squad, and newcomers through the draft and free agency. Dave Gettleman openly talked about how the team is going add playmakers on offense and Mack must come in good shape and have another strong offseason in his sophomore season.
NY Giants 2020 Draft Class
Overall, this looks like a promising draft class for the NY Giants. The team got stronger at linebacker, tackle, and in the secondary this season due to their rookie contributions. Their improved play was one of the key questions surrounding the team entering the season and the team has appeared to have greatly improved in these spots.
Andrew Thomas looks like the real deal at left tackle and the team should feel good about him on the left side for years to come.
Xavier McKinney had a small-but-intriguing rookie season who is going to be a premier player for this defense for the next several years.
Matt Peart is raw and will need to keep improving, but he looks like a starting tackle at some point in the next few years.
Darnay Holmes filled a huge void in the slot and will lock down the inside of the Giants’ secondary for next year.
Shane Lemieux appears to be a good player to work with, it’s always great to build up players who play with an attitude you can’t teach.
Behind these guys, several more players will serve as depth and be part of the underlying foundation of the NY Giants for hopefully a long time. Joe Judge and Dave Gettleman seem to have a real sense of what type of players and people they’re looking for in NFL draft prospects.