Giants three-round 2020 mock draft compilation 6.0 – final edition
By Ed Stein
Round 1, 4th overall pick
In the last installment, only four players appeared on the various mock drafts. The field almost doubled, with seven different players showing up this time. As it has been since the first mock compilation this year, the New York Giants will select a tackle with the No. 4 overall pick.
For the fourth straight installment, an OT was the top choice in over 60 percent of the mocks drafts. Tristan Wirfs from the Iowa Hawkeyes is once again the top selection, appearing on 11 of 35 mocks. On my board, Wirfs is at the top of the tackles group. His skill and versatility give him an edge over the others. I’m not the only one.
"Has plenty of pop in his pads to stun defenders. Absolutely has the foot speed to keep pace up the arc and set roadblocks against speed rushers. Explosive mover when climbing to the second level and working out in space. Grip strength is sensational and it’s game over for his opposition when the clamps are set. – Joe Marino, The Draft Network"
The New York Giants can play him at right tackle to start and when they finally part ways with Nate Solder, Wirfs will be able to move to the left side with little to no problem at all. The best part about Big Blue drafting Wirfs is that they could probably trade down to seven or eight (maybe in two trades) and still make him the first tackle selected in the draft.
Among the other top-tier of tackles, Jedrick Wills, Alabama (7); Mekhi Becton, Louisville, (4); and Andrew Thomas, Georgia (1) combined for one more selection than Wirfs had on his own.
The big mover this time was Isaiah Simmons from Clemson. Is he a linebacker or a safety? A pass rusher or cover man? One mock draft listed his position as “Defensive Weapon.” Usually, I’d be all over him, but I have some reservations. Under-size pass rushers, no matter how fast to the quarterback, send up red flags in my mind. Additionally, the edge players expected to go in the next few rounds are much better than the offensive tackles in the same grouping.
One final first-round note, the mock drafters are anticipating trades. It’s not only the G-Men making them, but other deals could have some unexpected positive impact on the Giants. One mock (Diamond Draft) has cornerback Jeff Okudah coming to New York, while Pro Football Focus writer Steve Palazzolo predicted Okudah’s college teammate, defensive end, Chase Young falling to Big Blue.