The New York Giants were trying to trade up to select edge rusher Josh Allen after landing Daniel Jones at the draft last April.
The beginning of the “Danny Dimes” era was incredible. New York Giants rookie quarterback Daniel Jones led the team to a comeback victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, recording four touchdowns, two on the ground.
Jones wasn’t the only first-round pick the team made, as they selected interior defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence with the 17th pick acquired in the Odell Beckham Jr. trade, and traded back into the first round to grab DeAndre Baker with pick 30.
However, the team reportedly had their eye on a much bigger name. NFL Network’s Ian Rappaport reported on NFL GameDay Sunday morning that the team loved edge rusher Josh Allen and would have taken him sixth overall if not for the Jones pick.
From @NFLGameDay: The #Giants loved QB Daniel Jones so much in the draft that they passed up a franchise pass-rusher — then tried to trade back up for Josh Allen, anyway. Plus, the latest on the #Jaguars potentially holding onto CB Jalen Ramsey. pic.twitter.com/lY1vdsimsG
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 22, 2019
“One of the guys that Gettleman coveted was Josh Allen, the pass rusher. Viewed him as one of the best players overall in the draft. Wanted to take him at six, but needed to take Daniel Jones because they had to make sure no one else took Jones.”
While it isn’t that surprising that the team wanted Allen, who was considered the second-best edge rusher in the draft, a position that the Giants had a dire need at, the next part of Rappaport’s report is.
He claims that Dave Gettleman was trying to make a trade with the Jacksonville Jaguars to acquire the seventh overall pick to get Allen.
“So here’s what the Giants did: They took Daniel Jones at six, then the Jaguars were on the clock. Gettleman called the Jaguars to try to trade back up for Josh Allen.”
Clearly, that didn’t work out and Allen landed with the Jaguars.
The team drafted Oshane Ximines in the third round (95 overall) to try and address the edge position, but there’s no doubt that Allen would have had a huge impact on the Giants defense had they landed him. He would have instantly become their best pass rusher off the edge.
That said, if Jones pans out as a franchise quarterback, Gettleman won’t regret passing on Allen.
