Giants and Jets Beef Up O-Lines in First Round

The Giants and Jets had two of the worst offensive lines in football last season. Both clubs addressed the issue in Round 1 of the 2020 Virtual NFL Draft.

From glimpses of every coach and GM's war rooms (Guys, check to make sure your wife didn't leave you for Kliff Kingsbury's pad), to Roger Goodell awkwardly announcing draft picks behind a collage of fans booing him on zoom, there was a lot to chew on from Day 1 of the NFL Draft. It was weird, unusual, interesting, and entertaining all wrapped into one.

For the Giants they took Georgia's Andrew Thomas with the fourth overall pick. Thomas is a bruising 6-5, 320 pound left tackle that the Giants desperately needed. Heck, the Giants needed a left tackle years ago.  The Giants needed blind side protection for quarterback Daniel Jones. They needed someone to clear a path for Saquon Barkley, and they believe they found that in the former First Team All American and two-time First Team All SEC tackle, who can play both left and right tackle. His versatility and reputation as a leader in college will be a huge boon for Big Blue.

Thomas' pick surprised some who believed that Alabama Jedrick Wills would be the first tackle taken by the Giants at four. No matter, Thomas is as solid a pick as they come, and fills a need.

As for the Jets, they rolled the dice a little bit with the number 11 pick. Gang Green selected Mekhi Becton a left tackle out of Louisville. Becton stands at an intimidating 6-7, and weights 370 pounds. Imagine that size running at a 5.1 40? Well, it's true, that's Becton's speed; the guy is fleet of foot for a big man. There is even video of him pushing a SUV down the street! Yes, impressive. Physically he has the attributes one would look for in a left tackle.

The question however has been Becton's passion for the game, specifically his ability to control his weight, and a drug issue that the Jets had to do a deep dive on before committing to him. He will be a player to watch this season for both the right and wrong reasons. This is a huge pick for first year General Manager Joe Douglas, being it is his first official pick he has ever made as Jets GM. The Jets have built a reputation of poor drafting, and Douglas needs this pick to work out.

Hell, Sam Darnold needs this pick to work out since Becton will be protecting his blindside. The Jets have not had a dominant left tackle since D'Brickshaw Ferguson maned left tackle from 2006-2015. The Jets can only hope that Becton puts the past behind him and becomes as good of a player that Ferguson was in his day.