New York Giants 1st Draft Pick Betting Odds 2020
You can bet on who the New York Giants pick in the 1st Round of the 2020 NFL Draft with linebacker Isaiah Simmons among the more logical choices, according to experts.
Simmons is the 1/20 favorite to be drafted in the Top 10, and most likely in the Top 5, where his odds are a little more easy to wager on at 6/5. Whether he lands with the Giants is anyone's guess. He is just shy of a 2/1 favorite to go to the Giants, followed by the Panthers (2/1) and Lions (3/1).
Here is what experts are saying about Simmons and the rationale for having him join the Giants franchise:
Mel Kiper Jr., ESPN Analysis: "The Giants should take an offensive tackle with one of their first two picks, but I wouldn't pass on Simmons, who has rare athleticism and versatility. Stick him at outside linebacker and let him chase down ball carriers, rush the passer and cover tight ends. Simmons never has to leave the field. New coach Joe Judge will love him."
Todd McShay, ESPN Analysis: "New York has three options in my mind here at No. 4: The Giants can trade out of it, they can look at one of the excellent offensive tackles on the board or they can draft Simmons as a do-it-all linebacker. General manager Dave Gettleman will hear some interesting offers, but because I'm not doing the same with this mock, I'm going with Simmons. Remember, the Giants allowed 28.2 points per game last season, third worst in the NFL."
Enter Iowa Offensive Tackle Tristan Wirfs.
Bucky Brooks, NFL.com Analysis: "Giants general manager Dave Gettleman adds a blue-chip blocker to the lineup to help his prized possessions (Daniel Jones and Saquon Barkley) thrive in 2020 and beyond."
Peter Schrager, NFL Network Analysis: "I've gone back and forth again and again between the top three tackles here: Wirfs, Jedrick Wills and Mekhi Becton. Wirfs, out of the NFL O-line factory in Iowa City, is viewed by many as the "cleanest" of the bunch. Superb athlete, versatile and smart."
More Needs
Courtesy of ESPN.com:
Biggest need: Offensive tackle
Left tackle Nate Solder was supposed to anchor the Giants' offensive line as the team kicked off the rebuild that landed them quarterback Daniel Jones. But since he signed his $62 million deal in 2018, Solder has underwhelmed. Last season, he finished in the bottom five of offensive linemen (minimum 300 pass-protection snaps), with a 5.8% blown block rate, according to Sports Info Solutions, and the team allowed the fifth-most offensive pressure (33.4%) overall. Solder's contract makes him a cut candidate after 2020, which is also when new right tackle Cameron Fleming's one-year deal expires. The Giants should invest at the position to give Jones his best chance for success.
Prospects who might fit: Jedrick Wills Jr., Alabama; Mekhi Becton, Louisville
Quiet need: Linebacker
The Giants filled the most glaring hole in their linebacker group with the $30 million free-agent addition of Blake Martinez. But on a base 3-4 team with more strength than speed on the defensive line, they need to add athletic linebackers with the versatility to rush the passer, cover tight ends and slot receivers, and stop the run. David Mayo was a pleasant surprise as a first-time starter in 2019 and will return for the team in 2020, but he's a similar player to Martinez and relatively slow for the position, with a 4.83-second 40-yard dash time.
- Don Shapiro, Gambling911.com
