The Giants need to trade down if they’re determined to draft an offensive tackle

The Giants seem to have their hearts set on taking an offensive tackle in the first round. If that’s the case, it’s time for Dave Gettleman to trade down.

There’s nothing wrong with the idea of the Giants spending a first round pick on an offensive lineman who can provide better protection for quarterback Daniel Jones. It’s just not a move Dave Gettleman and his front office should make with the No. 4 overall selection in this year’s draft.

There just isn’t an offensive tackle who lines up well with that spot in the draft in terms of value. That’s why Giants fans should be very nervous to read reports that their General Manager is expected to take an offensive lineman in Round 1. That likely means that New York will, once again, fail to extract the maximum amount of value available from their first round selection.

The right move for Gettleman and the Giants would be to put the No. 4 pick on the auction block. Teams interested in moving up to draft a quarterback like Tua Tagovailoa or Justin Herbert would certainly be interested in learning the price tag required to move up. It’s also possible a team interested in a top-flight defensive prospect like Isaiah Simmons or Jeff Okudah could be interested in leapfrogging other interested teams by making a deal with the Giants.

It’s not as if the Giants are a single player away from transforming their roster a group capable of winning a Super Bowl title. The team finished 4-12 last season. It’s in their front office’s best interest to obtain as many high draft picks as possible. Moving down from No. 4 to somewhere in the middle of Round 1 would allow the Giants to secure another pick or two in the top three rounds of this year’s draft.

The value for offensive tackles could be excellent in the middle of Round 1. It’s even possible that the end of Day One could provide the best value possible in the position group. Gettleman should be working hard to determine which option is best.

Mekhi Becton might be the most talented offensive tackle in the class, but news of his failed drug test likely mean he’ll slide into the middle of the first round. Gettleman should be looking to take advantage of that news instead of reaching for a prospect like Tristan Wirfs or Jedrick Wills at No. 4.

If the Giants really want to make a bold choice, they could slide all the way into the late 20s and take a less polished prospect. Someone like Ezra Cleveland, Austin Jackson or Josh Jones could blossom into high quality starters down the road. Drafting a player of that ilk might require Gettleman to exercise a little patience, but it could also prove to be one of the best draft picks in his career.

Unfortunately for fans in New York, the most likely outcome is that their favorite team will stand pat at No. 4 and draft the player they believe is the best tackle in this year’s class. That wouldn’t be as disastrous as selecting a running back with the No. 2 pick, but it will go down as another missed opportunity for the Giants.