By Sam Sindell
Pick 4: Andrew Thomas OT Georgia: Grade A-/B+
Was this the most exciting pick, no. Would Giants fans be happier with drafting Isaiah Simmons, yeah. But offensive line has been a struggle the Giants have had to deal with since their last superbowl. Getting sacked and pressured every play won’t help the development of second year Quarterback, Daniel Jones. While earlier this year some people stated that Thomas would be the number one Tackle taken, it seems that out of the blue, his draft stalk had fallen. It may have been because he ran a slower 40 yard dash then Wills, Becton, and Wirfs, but Thomas ended up being faster than all of them in the 20 yard shuttle, a drill scouts value more than the overhyped 40 yard dash. Because people continued to say “Andrew Thomas is the fourth best tackle in the draft”, it may manipulate Giants fans to believe this was a bad pick. While I may have been happier with Wills or Wirfs, I know Thomas will come in and improve the Offensive Line from day one, so I can not be upset. I feel like he is the most pro ready tackle and although he may not end up having the most potential, I believe the Giants can be sure that they have a tough, smart, and young Tackle. Thomas only let up one sack last year. I give Thomas an A-/B+ draft grade.
Pick 36: Xavier McKinney S Alabama: Grade A
The fact that the possible best safety, who was graded to be taken in the mid 20’s fell to the Giants in the second round is crazy. Throughout the whole draft, I thought the star safety from Alabama was going to go to the Cowboys at 17. Since the Cowboys got Haha Clinton-Dix, and Ceedee Lamb fell to them, it instantly pushed back Mckinney. Mckinney is a very versatile player who can guard Tight Ends and sack the Quarterback. He and Jabrill Peppers should be a great safety tandem for years to come. Many think McKinney could be the steal of the draft. He will fill a major hole that was covered last season by Antoine Bethea.
Pick 99: Matt Peart OT Uconn: Grade C+
Peart is not a bad player, but he is not what the Giants needed this year. Peart will most likely not play this year and will be a developmental player for years to come once Nate Soldier is off the team. There is no certainty that he will ever be a possible starting candidate. The Giants are a team that is in desperate need for talent, and with this pick they should have gotten a possible starter like Troy Dye(Linebacker),Tyler Biadasz(Center) or Tanner Muse(Linebacker). I would have been happier if they took a tackle such as Ben Bartch or Charlie Heck. Hopefully Peart will have a role on the
Giants in a couple of years.
Pick 110: Darnay Holmes CB UCLA: Grade B+
Coming into the draft I didn’t even know who Holmes was, but after the Giants drafted him they knew they got a good player. Holmes was a starter since he was a freshman and even led the team in interceptions that year. He is speedy and can track down running backs and receivers. He has become friends with many teammates such as Daniel Jones, Sterling Shepard and Saquon Barkley and trains with them often, which will help him with his transition to the NFL. Now that Deandre Baker’s future is in question, this Holmes pick looks very nice. The only reason his grade was not higher is because I don’t see real separation as a player between him and other corners such as Troy Pride and Bryce Hall.
Pick 150: Shane Lemieux OG Oregon: Grade B-
Lemieux was a pick many Giants fans didn’t see coming. With Will Hernadez and Kevin Zeitler already at each guard,this was not a position of need. The Giants needed a bigger receiver at this point such as Colin Johnson or Quintez Cephus to complement the smaller wide receivers on the Giants. Lemieux is versatile and head coach Joe Judge is trying to help him become a center as well. If he can become a solid center then this was a good pick, but if he stays a guard, he will likely never see playing time in the near future.
Pick 183: Cam Brown MLB/OLB Penn State: Grade B
Brown is a versatile linebacker who is very athletic. He can play both middle and outside linebacker, but is very raw. Coaches need to help him balance his talent and athleticism. He should be used for depth and may get a few rotational snaps here and there.
Pick 218: Carter Coughlin OLB Minnesota: Grade B+
Coughlin actually received the highest PFF rating for outside linebackers, beating future star Chase Young with a 92.1 grade. Coughlin also got 22.5 sacks during his time in Minnesota. I believe Coughlin will have more of a significant role this year then Cam Brown, and may surprise some people by the end of the year.
Pick 238: T.J. Brunson OLB South Carolina: Grade C+
Brunson will most likely be on the border of making the team and the practice squad, and with the Giants bulking up on outside linebackers, I don’t see him having much impact on the team. He did get 10.5 sacks in his junior year, but his mediocre senior year showed he was not as good as he had seemed the year before.
Pick 247: Chris Williamson CB Minnesota: Grade B
Although I would have preferred Lamar Jackson at this spot over Williamson, I think this pick has potential. Gettleman and Judge have already talked about Williamson’s versatility and consistency and it seems they may try to make him a corner/safety hybrid. I believe he can beat out Corey Ballentine for the last corner spot because of his versatility.
Pick 255: Tae Crowder MLB Georgia: Grade C
This year’s Mr. Irrelevant was…Tae Crowder. Crowder will probably be a practice squad player, and with this year’s increased practice squad he should have no trouble making it. I would have prefered the Giants to take somebody like Juwan Johnson, AJ Green or Lamar Jackson at this pick.
In the end however, I believe the Giants addressed multiple position needs throughout the draft and picked up really good prospects. Despite not trading down from pick 4, the Giants had some “draft steals” (Xavier McKinney). We’ll see how these players have an impact on the Giants roster this season in the NFL.
Overall Grade: B+/B
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