2020 NFL Mock Draft: Will the Giants redeem themselves in Round 2?

The New York Giants did not exactly make their fanbase happy in the first round of our pre-Combine mock draft.

In this scenario, the Giants started by plugging holes in free agency with the acquisition of RT Jack Conklin (giving them two high-priced offensive tackles) and at least one pass rushing EDGE.

With their immediate needs seen to, the Giants drafted Auburn defensive tackle Derrick Brown fourth overall. And despite Brown having a legitimate claim to being one of the five best players in the draft — and being favorably compared to OSU EDGE Chase Young by NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah and Lance Zierlein — Giants fans were about ready to riot.

The second round has historically been a strength for the Giants, being the round in which they had acquired Will Beatty, Linval Joseph, Johnathan Hankins, Weston Richburg, Sterling Shepard, Dalvin Tomlinson, and Will Hernandez.

Can they redeem themselves in the eyes of the fans in the second this time around?

33) Cincinnati Bengals - Josh Jones (OT, Houston)

The Bengals got their QB for the future and now they need to start rebuilding their offensive line. Jones could be a polarizing prospect, but he has the tools to be a starter.

34) Indianapolis Colts - via Washington Redskins - Neville Gallimore (DT, Oklahoma)

The Colts have been trying to get more stout up front for years now. Gallimore is quick, powerful, stout, and disruptive.

35) Detroit Lions - Zack Baun (LB, Wisconsin)

The Lions got their corner in the first round and now they get a player to reinforce their front seven. This defense needs work and Baun could help with pass rush as well as stiffening up the middle of their defense.

36) New York Giants - Lloyd Cushenberry III (C, LSU)

The Giants can’t go into 2020 (and beyond) continuing to bargain shop for centers. Jon Halapio is a great guy — and we’re rooting for his recovery from a torn Achilles — but he isn’t a great center, and there’s a reason why the Chargers let Spencer Pulley go. Cushenberry is a very “Gettleman” lineman, showing size, length, athleticism, and performing well in the Senior Bowl. He has the strength to play in the man-gap schemes that Jason Garrett favors, the football IQ to handle calling protections, and he is reputed to be a selfless and devoted teammate as well as a great leader.

37) Los Angeles Chargers - Tyler Biadasz (C, Wisconsin)

The Chargers have work to do rebuilding their offensive line and Biadasz should be a good building block. They cold get a steal here if he is able to play at his 2018 level in the NFL.

38) Carolina Panthers - Jeff Gladney (CB, TCU)

Carolina has eight defensive starters scheduled to hit free agency — on top of Luke Kuechly retiring. New DC Phil Snow has typically run a 3-3-5 defense throughout his various stops, so getting him a cornerback with great athleticism to play man coverage and experience in similar schemes should help the transition.

39) Miami Dolphins - Prince Tega Wanogho (OT, Auburn)

The Dolphins get an offensive tackle to help keep Tua Tagovailoa upright and healthy. Tega Wanogho has experience playing both left and right tackle, and would be asked to play either at any given time in Auburn’s offense. He should be able to slot in on either side for Miami.

40) Arizona Cardinals - Terrell Lewis (EDGE, Alabama)

Chandler Jones is still a difference maker, but Arizona needs to find him a compliment. Lewis has all the requisite athletic ability and traits to be a good pass rusher, he just needs to harness them and rush with a plan — and stay healthy.

41) Cleveland Browns - Robert Hunt (G, Louisiana Lafayette)

The Browns got Andrew Thomas to fill their hole at left tackle, and now they address the interior of their line with Hunt. The former tackle has a character red flag that needs investigating, but he is massive, powerful, and very athletic for a guard.

42) Jacksonville Jaguars - Damon Arnette (CB, Ohio State)

Arnette doesn’t have the raw athleticism of Jeffery Okudah but he is fluid and able to play in both man and zone coverage. The Jags will also like his physical play in the running game too.

43) Chicago Bears - via Las Vegas Raiders - Jordan Love (QB, Utah State)

Are the Bears over Mitchell Trubisky? He has not proven to be worth what it cost to trade up one spot to secure him (two third round picks and a fourth round pick). Some team is going to fall head over heels for Love, and honestly it would be a surprise to see him fall to the second round.

44) Indianapolis Colts - Justin Jefferson (WR, LSU)

The Colts still have T.Y. Hilton to stretch the field, but they need another pass catcher. Jefferson has good size and is great at selling his routes to defenders. He can be effective at all areas of the filed and has those “LSU” hands. He should be a good weapon for Jake Fromm along with Hilton.

45) Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Austin Jackson (OT, USC)

Change this to Jacob Eason if Tampa decides to move on from Jameis Winston (Bruce Arians will love Eason’s arm). But as things stand now, we’ll get Winston an offensive tackle. Jackson has the tools to be a good NFL starter but needs to learn how to use them consistently.

46) Denver Broncos - Brandon Aiyuk (WR, Arizona State)

Drew Lock got protection with Mekhi Becton in round one, and now we get him a weapon to throw to. Aiyuk has the speed to stretch the field — capitalizing on Lock’s arm — and is very dangerous with the ball in his hands, which will play into Pat Shurmur’s offensive scheme.

47) Atlanta Falcons - Josh Uche (EDGE, Michigan)

The Falcons are moving on from Vic Beasley and need more disruptive players on their defense. Uche hasn’t seen the field much in his time at Michigan, only getting consistent snaps in 2019, but he has been an impact player whenever he has been on the field.

48) New York Jets - Matt Hennessy (C, Temple)

The Jets opted for Jerry Jeudy in the first round and will have to figure something out for offensive tackle. That being said, they also need to figure something out at center with Ryan Kalil coming off of a bad 2019 season that ended with a knee injury in November. Hennessy is thought by some to be the top center in the draft, so the Jets might have gotten a steal here.

49) Pittsburgh Steelers - Jacob Eason (QB, Washington)

Mason Rudolph is not Ben Roethlisberger’s heir apparent, and the Steelers need to find that player soonest. Eason gives them a big, big-armed QB, to groom behind Roethlisberger.

50) Chicago Bears - Adam Trautman (TE, Dayton)

The Bears got their QB for the future (they hope) with their first pick in the second round and now get someone to help catch passes and block. Trautman has the frame and athleticism to be a “complete” tight end at the NFL level. He’s a projection as a small-school player, but this also isn’t a good year for tight ends.

51) Dallas Cowboys - Kyle Dugger (S/LB, Lenoir-Rhyne)

The Cowboys will likely be switching to a defense based in an odd front this year with new DC Mike Nolan. Dugger would give Nolan a big, athletic, and versatile defender who could roam between safety and linebacker.

52) Los Angeles Rams - Kenneth Murray (LB, Oklahoma)

Murray probably shouldn’t last this long, but he did here. If the Rams lose Cory Littleton in free agency they will need another linebacker to man the middle of their defense.

53) Philadelphia Eagles - Denzel Mims (WR, Baylor)

While the Eagles’ receiving corps got destroyed by injury in 2019 (along with... pretty much every other position), they still needed an upgrade at receiver even with everyone healthy. Mims is a big, long receiver with a track background to stretch a defense.

54) Buffalo Bills - D’Andre Swift (RB, Georgia)

A running back is going to get drafted before this, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see Swift go in the first round. The Bills would have a scary RB duo with Swift and Devin Singletary which would be made even more dangerous by Josh Allen’s legs.

55) Atlanta Falcons - via New England Patriots - A.J. Terrell (CB, Clemson)

The Falcons have upgraded their defensive interior and EDGE, so now its time to get help in the secondary. Terrell is a smooth, fluid, and well-rounded cornerback who can play both man and zone coverages.

56) Miami Dolphins - via New Orleans Saints - Curtis Weaver (EDGE, Boise State)

So far Miami’s systematic upgrading continues (and no, I do not expect them to have all of these picks). They got their quarterback, offensive tackle, wide receiver, and free safety. Now they get an upgrade to their front seven with Weaver. He has the positional flexibility to fit well in Patrick Graham’s defense while improving Miami’s pass rush and run defense.

57) Houston Texans - J.K. Dobbins (RB, Ohio State)

At this point who knows what Bill O’Brien is going to do. But if the Texans decide to not give Carlos Hyde a big payday, a running back could be in play here. Dobbins’ value stands out and he could fit well in Houston’s varied running scheme which includes both zone and gap runs.

58) Minnesota Vikings - Cameron Dantzler (CB, Mississippi State)

The Vikings tend to like long, athletic corners and Dantzler is that. He’s wiry but has the potential to play in both man and zone coverage schemes, giving Mike Zimmer options for blitz design.

59) Seattle Seahawks - Raekwon Davis (iDL, Alabama)

Seattle has a long list of impending free agents on their defensive front. Davis has an intriguing frame (6-foot-7, 310 pounds) that should fit well in Seattle’s hybrid front.

60) Baltimore Ravens - Shane Lemieux (G, Oregon)

The Ravens fielded one of the most dynamic offenses in the NFL last year, powered by Lamar Jackson’s ability to make defenses wrong in however they chose to defend him. Lemieux is a reliable pass protector and a powerful run blocker who will help keep Baltimore solid in the trenches.

61) Tennessee Titans - Zack Moss (RB, Utah)

Will the Titans keep Derrek Henry? Signing running backs to a big second contracts has generally not worked out to teams’ benefit in recent years, but a power running game is pretty much all of Tennessee’s identity. Moss is an explosive runner with lots of power in a stout 5-foot, 10-inch, 222-pound frame with surprising agility and contact balance.

62) Green Bay Packers - Ben Bartch (OT, St. John)

The Packers have generally done a fantastic job of finding middle and late round players and developing them into good starters. But if Brian Bulaga leaves in free agency, they might have to look a bit earlier than they are accustomed. Bartch is a small-school developmental player with the tools to develop into a starter.

63) Kansas City Chiefs - via San Francisco 49ers - Ross Blacklock (DT, TCU)

Blacklock slips after missing the 2018 season with an Achilles injury, but Andy Reid isn’t afraid of taking a chance. The Chiefs absolutely should extend Chris Jones, but they could use another playmaker in the middle of their defense. Blacklock is long, powerful, athletic, and explosive, and should be a great fit in Steve Spagnuolo’s defense.

64) Seattle Seahawks - via Kansas City Chiefs - Ben Bredeson (G, Michigan)

Seattle got a center in the first round and a defensive lineman with their first pick in the second round. Now they’re reuniting Bredeson with Cesar Ruiz and pairing him with D.J. Fluker. They should have a big, powerful, and nasty offensive interior to help give Russell Wilson a pocket (for once).