There is no doubt that the New York Giants need help on defense. They allowed 377.3 yards per game which was 25th in the NFL and surrendered 28.2 points per game which was bad enough for 30th in the League last season. That can’t continue. General manager Dave Gettleman has addressed the defense in free agency, adding cornerback James Bradberry, and linebacker Kyler Fackrell and Blake Martinez as the headliners. However, with the fourth overall pick in the draft the Giants might find themselves wondering if defense is the best option. It might very well be the offensive line that receives attention and one couldn’t fault Gettleman for moving that way.
There is a lot of depth in the 2020 NFL Draft when it comes to offensive linemen and wide receivers, two positions the Giants figure to add at least a piece to. The Giants are hopeful with Nick Gates, an undrafted free agent from Nebraska who stepped in last season at right tackle and showed quite a bit of promise, can continue to progress. Gettleman said as much during a conference call with reporters on Monday. As high as the Giants are on Gates, they seem to be the opposite on Nate Solder, the left tackle Gettleman signed in his first year as GM. Solder had a terrible year last season, looking slow in pass protection and at times just mediocre in the run game. Solder is a good offensive linemen, and has proven as much in his time in the NFL but last season’s performance is a concern heading into 2020.
The Giants need to bring in a young tackle to compete with Solder, Gates, and the recently signed Cam Fleming. If Solder can’t rebound they need a young body to step in and fill the void and this year’s draft offers at least four good prospects who should be able to at least be serviceable at tackle in the coming years but have the potential to be Pro Bowl-caliber linemen. As the 2020 NFL Draft draws nearer it seems more and more likely the Giants will use their first pick on an offensive lineman.
The coaching is in place with offensive coordinator Jason Garrett who oversaw one of the best lines in football with the Dallas Cowboys and Marc Columbo as the offensive line coach who can take credit for those Cowboys’ lines. Adding a young prospect in this draft might be just what Daniel Jones needs moving forward to take the next step as a pro quarterback. At least Gettleman has the opinions of Columbo and Garrett to fall back on and that should give Giants fans some relief when it comes to selecting an offensive lineman in the upcoming draft.
