The 2020 NFL draft is in the books, and the New York Giants' draft class is complete.
The draft, which had been scheduled to take place in Las Vegas, was successfully completed virtually from the homes of coaches, general managers and other front-office staff because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Here's a pick-by-pick look at how each player New York has selected will fit.
Analysis of every pick | Updated depth charts
Round 1, No. 4 overall: Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia
My take: The Giants needed a tackle and Thomas was their top choice. He will come in and compete at right and left tackle, per coach Joe Judge. It's hard to complain. GM Dave Gettleman wanted "to fix this offensive line once and for all." Thomas started the season as the No. 1 tackle and played well against top competition in the SEC. He blew eight of 793 total blocks last season, a 1% blown block rate that was third best among SEC offensive tackles and 20th in FBS, according to research by ESPN Stats & Information. And he fits with what the Giants want to do offensively under coordinator Jason Garrett.
Passing on Simmons: There seemed to be a split between fans who wanted an offensive tackle and those who wanted Clemson's do-it-all defender Isaiah Simmons. There is no doubt that Simmons is a special athlete, and the Giants liked him a lot. But he doesn't play a premium position and the Giants needed to protect their investments in quarterback Daniel Jones and running back Saquon Barkley. This was a move more about roster construction than an indictment on Simmons. There were coaches on the Giants' staff who were said to be especially high on the Clemson playmaker.
No trade: The Giants might have wanted to move down. It's just not so easy. As Gettleman noted, there weren't a lot of trades at the top of this year's draft. He received a lot of touchy-feely conversations but "no firm offers." Nothing serious. "Really not much there," he said. At least nothing he felt was good enough to present to owner John Mara and Judge. So the streak lives on. Gettleman has never traded back in any draft as a general manager. There is always a tomorrow.
Round 2, No. 36 overall: Xavier McKinney, S, Alabama
Take a look back at some of the highlights of former UConn offensive tackle Matt Peart's career as a Husky.
My take: This is a combination of value and need. McKinney was Mel Kiper Jr.'s 15th-ranked player overall. The Giants got him at No. 36 because he fell out of the first round after running the 40-yard dash in 4.63 seconds at the combine. But the Giants needed a safety to start alongside Jabrill Peppers. That then frees up Julian Love, who played well late last season, to be utilized as the third safety/nickel.
The Giants had McKinney as a first-round talent and were happy he fell into their laps. He's a physical playmaker joining a defense that desperately needs more playmakers.
"Good pick for them," one executive texted about the selection.
Have to agree with that assessment. Good player and good value. ESPN analyst Louis Riddick raved about McKinney's versatility, and fellow ESPN analyst Rex Ryan called him a future "star" and first-year starter.
Round 3, No. 99 overall: Matt Peart, OT, UConn
Check out highlights from UCLA corner and playmaker Darnay Holmes a prospect for the 2020 NFL draft.
My take: Keep pounding the offensive line. That is what is happening in this NFL draft with Gettleman and the Giants. Can you blame them? Peart was considered the best value. He was the Giants' second tackle selected in their first three picks. Peart is a developmental offensive tackle with tremendous length. His 36⅝-inch arms were the longest of all linemen at the NFL combine. It's worth a shot with him. Gettleman had to fix this O-line and Peart has talent. The prototypical "upside" prospect. Gettleman used the word multiple times when talking of his third-round pick.
Round 4, No. 110 overall: Darnay Holmes, CB, UCLA
My take: This seems like another high-upside shot. Holmes is a playmaker with some talent. He had eight interceptions in his three seasons at UCLA and his naturally aggressive style should fit well with the Giants playing a lot of man coverage. He also graduated in 2 1/2 years. It's clear the Giants are going to keep throwing young pieces into this secondary, specifically at the cornerback position. The thinking appears to be between Holmes, DeAndre Baker, Corey Ballentine and Sam Beal, one or two them have to hit.
Round 5, No. 150 overall: Shane Lemieux, OG, Oregon
My take: It's a surprise that the Giants didn't address bigger positions of need like edge rusher or center, especially with San Diego State’s Keith Ismael still on the board. But Lemieux is a solid player who is "tough, smart and scrappy," according to one scout. He adds depth to the position, having started 52 games at left guard while at Oregon. It’s possible the Giants are looking at Lemieux as a future option at right guard with Kevin Zeitler already in his 30s.
Round 6, No. 183 overall: Cam Brown, LB, Penn State
My take: Judge talked about finding usable traits in players when he was first hired. It appears we’re at the point of the draft in which that is the Giants' focus. Brown brings length and speed from the linebacker position. Brown had 10 passes defended the past two seasons. With outside linebacker one of the more troubling positions on the roster, it could be worth throwing a player like Brown into the mix there.
Round 7, No. 218 overall: Carter Coughlin, LB, Minnesota
My take: Coughlin had a strong combine workout. But he's not especially long and isn't known for his coverage. He's not a natural outside linebacker. The Giants seem to be trying to strike gold with a pass-rusher at the end of the draft. It’s not ideal, but it can’t hurt if they can find a contributor. Coughlin might be that. He produced in the Big Ten.
Round 7, No. 238 overall: T.J. Brunson, LB, South Carolina
My take: This is an interesting pick. Brunson is a smaller linebacker at 6-0, 230 pounds. He also has some lack of discipline to his game. He had four personal fouls or unsportsmanlike penalties in 2019. It seems like an out-of-character pick for this regime. Maybe they see something different in Brunson (zero sacks in 2019) than everybody else. Perhaps this is Judge’s special teams background coming into play?
Round 7, No. 247 overall: Chris Williamson, CB, Minnesota
My take: The young defensive back room gets even younger, if that is where Williamson will land. He was used as a big nickel at Minnesota, sometimes serving as a linebacker on passing downs. He started just 10 games (nine as a senior) for the Gophers. Again, special teams will be key if Williamson is going to earn a spot on the roster as a rookie.
Round 7, No. 255: Tae Crowder, LB, Georgia
My take: Another linebacker. This time an inside linebacker. Crowder will provide immediate competition to that unit. He finished second on a strong Georgia defense with 62 total stops. Still, he wasn't invited to the combine. Crowder will now forever have the tag of Mr. Irrelevant in the 2020 NFL draft.