The New York Giants selected two of the most talented players in the draft when they selected Oregon edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux and Alabama offensive tackle Evan Neal with the fifth and seventh picks, respectively.
The board played out perfectly with all three of the draft's top offensive tackles still available, allowing the Giants to grab Neal with the seventh pick.
One of the most debated players in the draft was Thibodeaux. Some questioned his effort and work ethic.
The Giants did extensive research on Thibodeaux, who has an electric first step. The new general manager traveled to Eugene, Oregon, for the pro day just a few days after the annual meetings in Florida. The Giants snuck in a meeting with the talented pass-rusher the week of the draft.
One of the top prospects entering this past season, Thibodeaux had seven sacks despite playing with an ankle injury. His pressure percentage was third best.
The New York Jets were the only team in the league to rank in the bottom five in both pass block win rate and pass rush win rate.
Neal was a second-team AP All-American this past season and a semifinalist for the Outland Trophy. He allowed one sack in the national title game as a junior.
Neal saw improvement at Alabama. As a freshman, his pressure percentage was 2.5%, but this past season it was 1.3%.
Neal has played guard, right tackle and left tackle for the Giants. The Giants have options with Andrew Thomas, the fourth overall pick in 2020, showing improvement at left tackle. Neal is most likely to start his Giants career at right tackle.
New York would get two bookend tackles to protect Daniel Jones. The Giants have selected two offensive tackles in the top 10 in each of the last three years.
The offensive line has been problematic for almost a decade and the Giants wanted to grab an offensive tackle early in the draft. Mark Glowinski was signed as a free agent to start at right guard and Jon Feliciano was signed to be their center.
The reworked offensive line will give them a chance to evaluate Jones this season. According to sources, the Giants did not pick up the fifth-year option in Jones' contract.
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