NFL Draft: 5 biggest winners from Round 1
New York Giants. 2. team. 31. . .
Dave Gettleman had gone his whole career before trading down in the NFL Draft, but after Thursday night’s haul from a deal with the Chicago Bears is any indication, one has to wonder what took the Giants general manager so long to do so.
The NY Giants moved back from No. 11 overall, moments after the Philadelphia Eagles jumped up to No. 10 overall to take Devonta Smith, to the No. 20 overall pick in a trade with the Chicago Bears that netted Gettleman et. al an additional fifth-round pick in this year’s NFL Draft, a fourth-round pick next year, and the prize of the deal, Chicago’s first-round pick in 2022.
“It was very important,” Gettleman said, of getting a first-round pick in next year’s draft as part of any trade.
It was obvious that Gettleman and the NY Giants valued next year’s class significantly higher than this year’s crop of incoming rookies.
“There’s a lot of unknowns here with this group,” Gettleman explained. “And plus a lot of kids went back and took advantage of the NCAA giving them an additional year of eligibility. That obviously played into our thinking.”
In addition to bolstering the NY Giants’ draft capital the next two years, Gettleman also bolstered Daniel Jones’ supporting cast, as the quarterback enters a pivotal third NFL season.
The Giants wound up selecting wide receiver Kadarius Toney, who has high-end speed and elite acceleration that could make him a dangerous weapon from the slot or outside. Don’t be surprised if the NY Giants move him around, perhaps even in the backfield alongside Saquon Barkley to dictate to opposing defenses.
Between the draft capital and adding an impact offensive weapon, this class is off to a very strong start for Gettleman and the Giants.