Despite a dramatic Week 17 win, the NY Giants 2020 season ended in disappointment. Luckily, the bright spots on this roster were reflected in the success of their 2020 NFL Draft Class.
In an offseason that left GM Dave Gettleman with no room for error, Big Blue invested their ten picks in the offensive line and several defensive back positions. Ultimately, the addition of Andrew Thomas, Matt Peart, and Shane Lemieux to the offensive-line helped to strengthen the team’s depth at the position.
Meanwhile, the defense improved tremendously under Patrick Graham’s leadership in addition to the efforts of their rookie class: FS Xavier McKinney (and the small sample fans got to see), CB Darnay Holmes, LB Cam Brown, LB Carter Coughlin, LB T.J. Brunson, and LB Tae Crowder.
John Mara on why he decided to keep Dave Gettleman as GM:
— Giants Videos (@SNYGiants) January 6, 2021
"I just didn't think that making a change at this time would be beneficial" pic.twitter.com/oTCbZ9UihA
Overall, the Giants finished a lackluster 6-10 record due to their offensive struggles; averaging 299.6 yards per game (31st in NFL) and 17.5 points per game (T-31st in NFL), which proved to be main factors in yet another tumultuous season that somehow found them sitting atop a pitiful NFC East with a chance at a division title and playoff berth at one point.
Moreover, the success Head Coach Joe Judge achieved in getting both his players and the fanbase to buy-in to his football program ranks high among this season’s accomplishments and also bodes well for the future of this franchise going forward.
With Gettleman set to participate in his fourth NFL Draft as Big Blue’s GM, here’s a look back at the players he took off the board last April and how each of them fared in their rookie campaigns.