I know this is hypotheically speaking, but with the interest the Giants front office expressed in Wilkins during the first couple Hard Knocks episodes, I went back and looked at players that would've been available at #39 had the Giants signed Wilkins instead of trading for Burns.
Cooper DeJean
Kool-Aid McKinstry
Kamari Lassiter
Max Melton
Braden Fiske
Edgerin Cooper
Jonathan Brooks
Jackson Powers-Johnson
Those were the players selected between 39 and the Giants next pick at 47. Out of those, I would assume the pick would'be been CB since CB, pass-rusher, and WR were the three key areas of need Joe Schoen mentioned. Knowing what we know now, I think I would've preferred Wilkins and DeJean/McKinstry/Melton over Brian Burns and trading the pick.
Analytically, the 46th pick costs 8+ million guaranteed over length. So Brian Burns effective cost is actually less than Christian Wilkins.
Burns is 2.5 years younger than Wilkins.
To answer OP, they would've picked a DL. In either case I'm mostly convinced they made the most effective move.
Dex is already disruptive up the middle. Without pressure from both edges, you can potentially roll out away from up the middle and one edge pressure.
With pressure from the middle and BOTH edges (assuming that is what we get), forcing hurried, less accurate throws, interceptions and getting sacks should be significantly more frequent than with "double pressure" up the middle and one edge.
I think its realistic to think he may have signed here, but not for the same $$$. Not even close probably. People never consider the state tax vs no state tax issue when judging what players ultimately sign for, and they really should. Its not an even playing field at all.
I think its realistic to think he may have signed here, but not for the same $$$. Not even close probably. People never consider the state tax vs no state tax issue when judging what players ultimately sign for, and they really should. Its not an even playing field at all.
Plays with his best friend here… could take less for that alone…
And while I still wish they had found a way to keep Tomlinson back in the day w Dex there isnt any GM who doesn’t think ER > DT in General. And please don’t bring up outliers. Burns has had stop level career, younger as well.
Wilkins averaged 3 sacks per year for his prior four seasons before 2023. And then he popped for 9 in 2024. Is that a sign of bigger things to come as a pass rusher or an outlier? I don't know, but Burns has proven to be a player who is much better at getting the QB to the ground while he still has the ball.
Leaving off the QB discussion.
I think it’s clear the biggest needs for the high picks are CB and DT
Still need bodies for the oline but they probably come 3rd round and beyond. Unless Neal is a total flop of course.
+1. Damn straight.
Then pickup a Cooper Dejean in rd 2. I think the team is better.
No mention of Huff in HKs yet.
That is why they chose Burns over Wilkins as well
Then pickup a Cooper Dejean in rd 2. I think the team is better.
No mention of Huff in HKs yet.
Bryce Huff is nowhere near as good against the run as Burns is. He was asked to come in in obvious passing situations and get after the QB. On the other hand, DA was someone I would not have minded in Free Agency.