Trade. Down.
More and more, it feels like the best course of action for the Giants in the 2020 NFL Draft. Why should they take a player with the No. 4 overall pick if they might be able to get that player, or a comparable player, a few spots down the board, while also accumulating additional draft capital?
Alas, it is far easier to shout “Trade down!’ loud enough for general manager Dave Gettleman to hear you than it will be for Gettleman to execute a deal. It takes two to tango and the Lions at No. 3 are in better position to make a move than the Giants.
Also: For the sake of consistency and sanity, we will not make any trades in our seven-round Giants mock draft.
In our first mock draft, it was defense early. In our second, it was a deep early dive into the offensive line. This time around, two out of three ain’t bad when it comes to the offensive line.
Each week leading up to the April 23 start of the draft, The Post, with help from Fanspeak’s mock draft simulator, will take a stab at the 10 players the Giants will select, an undertaking produced with great care, educated inside information and a few rounds of Rock, Paper, Scissors.
Here is Giants mock draft No. 3 (changes from the previous mock draft noted):
Round 1 (pick 4 overall) — OL Jedrick Wills, Alabama
(Previous picks: LB Isaiah Simmons, Clemson, OL Tristan Wirfs, Iowa)
Why Wills? Here’s a hunch new Giants head coach Joe Judge, a former Alabama assistant, gets some whispers from Nick Saban that lead to this pick. Passing up on versatile defensive stud Simmons is not easy but offensive line is a big question and Wills is an answer. He started two years at tight tackle and is an immediate starter at that spot in the NFL, with a likely switch over to the left side in 2021. Wills moves like a tight end and has incredibly quick feet and hands (sort of the anti-Ereck Flowers), ensuing Daniel Jones will be kept clean and upright more often than not.
Round 2 (pick 36 overall) — LB Kenneth Murray, Oklahoma
(Previous picks: S Xavier McKinney, Alabama, McKinney)
No, he is not Simmons but Murray is the next best thing, a sideline-to-sideline tackler who moves like a safety and hits like a truck. He had 17 tackles for loss and four sacks as a junior and will not come off the field on third down. Safety Grant Delpit (LSU) and defensive lineman Javon Kinlaw (South Carolina) are on the board and tempting but Murray can help from front to back and gets the nod.
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Round 3 (pick 99 overall) — C Tyler Biadasz, Wisconsin
(Previous pick: OT Saahdiq Charles, LSU, Biadasz)
Biadasz is coming off shoulder surgery and had a hip procedure before his senior year, so there are some physical concerns. But he is not called “Tyler Badass” because of his soft demeanor on the field. Gettleman loves his big-men “hog mollies’’ and Biadasz has a chance to start early in his NFL career. Blocking for Jonathan Taylor with the Badgers and opening holes for Saquon Barkley has a certain symmetry.
Round 4 (pick 110 overall) — S K’Von Wallace, Clemson
(Previous picks: EDGE Jonathan Garvin, Miami, C Nick Harris, Washington)
Wallace is a 5-11, 206-pound thumper tied for the team lead with 10 pass breakups as a senior. He does his best work closer to the line of scrimmage, can do some damage as a blitzer and will be a staple on every special teams unit.
Round 5 (pick 150 overall) — EDGE Alton Robinson, Syracuse
(Previous picks: EDGE Jonathan Garvin, Miami, CB Javaris Davis, Auburn)
Team-high 17 tackles for loss as a junior, along with 10 sacks. Not as productive in 2019. Should have early situational pass rush value as he develops counter-moves.
Round 6 (pick 183 overall) — WR Quintez Cephus, Wisconsin
{Previous picks: RB Mike Warren, Cincinnati, Cephus)
It is nice to find a target capable of running free; Cephus is not that. Making the contested catch in traffic is a skill, as well, and Cephus put it on display for the run-oriented Badgers. Cephus plays bigger than his 6-foot-1 height but did not run well at the NFL Scouting Combine (he improved his 40 time at his Pro Day to a more acceptable 4.56).
Round 7 (pick 218 overall) — EDGE D.J. Wonnum, South Carolina
(Previous picks: Wonnum, Wonnum)
This is the time in the draft where it is totally appropriate to take a high-character (team captain) player with excellent production (29.5 career tackles for loss and 14 sacks). You can never have too many guys with the potential to get to the opposing quarterback.
Round 7 (pick 238 overall) — S Shyheim Carter, Alabama
(Previous picks: WR Lawrence Cager, Georgia, LB Carter Coughlin, Minnesota)
It is not easy to maintain a hold on a starting job at Alabama but Carter made 22 starts at the “Star’’ position for the Crimson Tide. He also returned two interceptions for touchdowns in 2018.
Round 7 (pick 247 overall) — RB Mike Warren II, Cincinnati
(Previous picks: CB John Reid, Penn State, S Shyheim Carter, Alabama)
As a former Mr. Football as a high school star in Ohio, Warren set a school single-season record with 18 rushing touchdowns in 2018 and is the sort of bullish, between-the-tackles runner that fits as a backup. Plus, coaches love his outstanding ball security.
Round 7 (pick 255 overall) — LB Shaquille Quarterman, Miami
(Previous picks: OT Victor Johnson, Appalachian State, OL Jon Runvan, Michigan)
Never missing a start in four years is impressive, as is his pursuit of the ball no matter where it is on the field. These qualities make Quarterman this year’s NFL Draft Mr. Irrelevant.