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NY Giants need 2020 rookie class to take significant step in 2021

By Matt Lombardo

Xavier McKinney of the NY Giants (Image via The Record)
Xavier McKinney of the NY Giants (Image via The Record) /
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If there is a word to describe the NY Giants’ 2020 NFL Draft class, it would be “inconsistent.”

For a spell midseason, No. 4 overall pick Andrew Thomas performed like a competent NFL offensive tackle, especially after reverting to the technique he used at Georgia that propelled him to become the first tackle chosen last April. However, at least the first half of Thomas’ season was forgettable.

Fifth-round pick Shane Lemieux was always viewed as a project by the NY Giants, but the former Oregon center was a colossal disappointment at guard last season.

Meanwhile, second-round pick Xavier McKinney might be the Giants‘ defensive player with the brightest future, but it is difficult for one player — especially a non-quarterback — to carry a draft class.

In Pro Football Focus’ rankings of all 32 NFL Draft classes, the Giants did not receive favorable marks, coming in 27th:

"Fourth overall pick Andrew Thomas‘ 54.7 pass-block grade (second-worst among left tackles) didn’t help the Giants, nor did any other rookie from the 2020 class. Darnay Holmes (110th overall) failed to crack the top 100 cornerbacks in PFF grade this season, and Shane Lemieux (150th overall) was the lowest-graded guard in the NFL with a 32.2 PFF grade."

Here is the Giants’ full 2020 class, and their PFF overall grades:

Round 1 – Andrew Thomas: 62.4

Round 2 – Xavier McKinney: 70

Round 3 – Matt Peart: 69.7

Round 4 – Darnay Holmes: 48.1

Round 5 – Shane Lemieux: 33.2

Round 6 – Cam Brown: 45.9

Round 7 – Carter Coughlin: N/A

Round 7 – T.J. Brunson: 58.5

Round 7 – Chris Williamson: N/A

Round 7 – Tae Crowder 36.4

Thomas, McKinney, Peart, Holmes, and Crowder all made starts for the Giants as rookies and made various impacts.

While it is unfair to fully evaluate a draft class until three years after, if the Giants are going to take a step towards competing for the Super Bowl in 2021, last year’s draft haul is going to need to make significant strides.

Matt Lombardo is the site expert for GMenHQ, and writes Between The Hash Marks each Wednesday for FanSided. Follow Matt on Twitter: @MattLombardoNFL.

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