New York Giants news, 3/27: Roger Goodell confirms NFL Draft will not be re-scheduled

Good morning, New York Giants fans!

2020 NFL Draft will go on as scheduled April 23-25 - NFL.com

Commissioner Roger Goodell has sent a memo to all 32 teams stating that the 2020 NFL Draft would go on as scheduled from April 23-25.

“Apart from the CEC, I have personally discussed this matter with many other owners, club executives and coaches, and there is widespread support for the CEC’s conclusion,” Goodell said in the memo. “Everyone recognizes that public health conditions are highly uncertain and there is no assurance that we can select a different date and be confident that conditions will be significantly more favorable than they are today. I also believe that the draft can serve a very positive purpose for our clubs, our fans, and the country at large, and many of you have agreed.

”Because of the unique circumstances in our country today, the 2020 Draft will obviously need to be conducted in a different way. Already, we have cancelled all public events, we will not be bringing prospects and their families to the Draft, and the draft itself will be conducted and televised in a way that reflects current conditions.

”Our staff is certainly mindful of the operational issues this presents, and our top priority is putting in place procedures that allow all clubs to operate on a level playing field so that the draft is conducted in a way that is competitively fair to all clubs. All clubs should now be doing the necessary planning to conduct draft operations in a location outside of your facility, with a limited number of people present, and with sufficient technology resources to allow you to communicate internally, with other clubs, and with draft headquarters.”

Is it crazy to think Giants GM Dave Gettleman would pull the franchise tag from Leonard Williams? | SNY

Ralph Vacchiano says “With Gettleman, you never know. But probably not.”

Vacchiano adds:

So while things could always change, there’s no reason to think rescinding the tag from Williams is even under consideration. Yes, a $16.1 million cap hit is a lot, but there’s not much the Giants could do with it now anyway, with the first two waves of free agency basically over.

And while Clowney is still out there, the Giants just aren’t interested in him at that price. If they were, they wouldn’t have tagged Williams in the first place, and would’ve made their run at Clowney instead.

The Giants want Williams, and that has been the case since Gettleman began exploring that trade with the Jets back in October. And while Gettleman isn’t afraid of shaking up his roster with moves other people think are crazy, rescinding the tag from Williams would be even more of a shocker now than it was when he did it to Norman four years ago.

Giants' contract dilemma with Leonard Williams could drag on

Paul Schwartz writes:

There is absolutely no impetus for Williams to get anything done right now, and the Giants, knowing the time-tested truth that deadlines spark urgency, are willing to wait things out with Williams into the summer.

NFL free agency grades 2020: Tom Brady aids Buccaneers, sinks Patriots

Re-examining the biggest draft busts in the PFF College era | College Football and NFL Draft | PFF

NFL free agency: 10 most questionable signings by teams in 2020

The three-year, $30.75 million contract th Giants gave Blake Martinez makes the list.

Witness the peril of having an abundance of money and a shortage of players worthy of it. GM Dave Gettleman was insistent on remaking his defense and brought on several new starters, including Martinez, a tackling machine for the Packers. But is the four-year veteran actually a transformative figure? His vulnerability in coverage and speed limitations when forced to operate in space suggest otherwise. The Giants likely would have been better off addressing this spot in the draft.

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