Former UConn offensive tackle Matt Peart has been among the most polarizing of the Giants’ selections in last weekend’s NFL Draft, coming off the board in Round 3, ahead of potential help at wide receiver or pass rusher.
Peart was the second of three offensive linemen the Giants chose, and the second offensive tackle after selecting Andrew Thomas No. 4 overall.
At 6-foot-7 and 318 pounds, Peart has plenty of potential, but could use some development at the NFL level. Still, some -- the Giants included -- believe Peart has the chance to be the organization’s right tackle of the future.
“I think he has a sizable ceiling,” Giants general manager Dave Gettleman said. “He’s young, he’s really got a lot of talent. We really like the upside on him.”
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One analyst who believes the Giants struck gold taking Peart with pick No. 99, is NFL Network’s Brian Baldinger.
“I think Peart has an upside because he has the arm-length of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar on the football field,” Baldinger told NJ Advance Media. “He needs to get stronger, but he can be their right tackle.”
It was Peart’s 36 and five-eighth inch wingspan at the NFL Combine that caught the attention of Gettleman and head coach Joe Judge.
“You turn around and you see the guys that don’t have as much length,” Gettleman said, when describing one of Thomas’ defining traits, his 36 and one-eighth inch arms. “Shorter arms, shorter people, and the defensive ends with long arms get them.”
There is certainly opportunity for Peart, particularly if veteran Nate Solder struggles once again in 2020, one removed from surrendering 56 pressures and 11 sacks last season.
“I think this guy can be a starting tackle at some point.” NFL Network analyst and former Houston Texans and Washington GM Charley Casserly told NJ Advance Media. “He’s a big-armed guy. He can stay on his feet, and has got some athletic ability."
At UConn, Peart was a three-year starter with experience at both tackle spots and says he aims to reach the potential the Giants see in him while doing his best to quickly shed the “raw” label that followed him through the pre-draft process.
“I just want to dedicate myself to be a better student of the game,” Peart said. “Wherever I need to improve, you best believe I’m willing to do the work, and I’m ready to work right now.”
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Follow Matt Lombardo on Twitter at @MattLombardoNFL.
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NFL Draft 2020: Did Giants find a gem in ‘Kareem Abdul-Jabbar on a football field'? - NJ.com
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