The New York Giants tried to trade up to the No. 10 overall pick from their original No. 17 pick in the first round of the NFL Draft.
It turns out the New York Giants attempted to make moves towards getting a pass-rusher after they selected quarterback Daniel Jones No. 6 overall. The Giants ultimately passed up on Kentucky edge rusher Josh Allen to take the eventual successor to Eli Manning with their first selection.
According to Peter King of NBC Sports, the Giants attempted to trade up to the No. 10 overall pick from their original No. 17 overall pick. The Denver Broncos were in possession of the No. 10 pick, a selection they eventually traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Giants GM Dave Gettleman mentioned that they wanted to trade up to No. 10 to get the dominant pass-rusher, Allen. However, after the Jacksonville Jaguars selected Allen at No. 7 overall, the Giants stopped looking into the possibility.
“I agonized over that,” Gettleman said. “I agonized. Before the draft, we discussed that thoroughly as a group – first last Friday, then again Wednesday. Obviously we had great regard for Josh Allen. But the one thing I have learned is you don’t fool around with a quarterback. If he’s your guy, you take him.”
The Giants, therefore, stayed with their No. 17 selection and took Clemson DT Dexter Lawrence. He’s not a premier pass-rusher, but he’s definitely a big body to have on that defensive line.
Despite Lawrence proving to be one of the more dominant defensive linemen in the country last year, Allen would’ve definitely been a much better pick. Allen is a pure pass-rushing defensive lineman. His 17.0 sacks were second in the country behind Lousiana Tech’s Jaylon Ferguson who totaled 17.5 sacks last season.
The New York Giants were tied for 31st in the NFL in 2018 with a total of 30 sacks throughout the entire season.
