With The First Pick
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3 Joe Judge linked free agents that could alter Giants 2020 NFL Draft plans

By Randy Gurzi

FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - OCTOBER 27: Wide receiver Phillip Dorsett #13 of the New England Patriots prepares for their game against the Cleveland Browns at Gillette Stadium on October 27, 2019 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - OCTOBER 27: Wide receiver Phillip Dorsett #13 of the New England Patriots prepares for their game against the Cleveland Browns at Gillette Stadium on October 27, 2019 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images) /
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ORCHARD PARK, NY – SEPTEMBER 29: Matthew Slater #18 of the New England Patriots celebrates a touchdown after a blocked punt during the first half against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field on September 29, 2019 in Orchard Park, New York. Will he follow Joe Judge to the Giants, and could he change their 2020 NFL Draft plans? (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images)
ORCHARD PARK, NY – SEPTEMBER 29: Matthew Slater #18 of the New England Patriots celebrates a touchdown after a blocked punt during the first half against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field on September 29, 2019 in Orchard Park, New York. Will he follow Joe Judge to the Giants, and could he change their 2020 NFL Draft plans? (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images) /

Rookie head coach Joe Judge could look to add some familiar free agents this offseason, which could have an impact on the Giants 2020 NFL draft plans.

After two seasons with Pat Shurmur as the head coach, the New York Giants decided to move on — which was understandable considering his record of 9-23. Oddly enough, this was the exact same record Shurmur had back when he was given his first shot as a head coach with the Cleveland Browns during the 2011 and 2012 seasons. The 2020 NFL Draft will be huge for the Giants to retool.

With Shurmur gone, general manager Dave Gettelman decided to go with a rookie head coach in Joe Judge. It was a bit of a surprise as Judge made the leap from special teams coordinator (and wide receivers coach) with the New England Patriots to head coach.

That doesn’t mean the 38-year old hasn’t been around some winners. Before joining the Patriots, he was with Nick Saban and the Alabama Crimson Tide from 2012 through 2014 — where he also coached special teams.

During those years as an assistant, he had a lot of talented players cross his path. Here we look at a few of those players that could join him in New York as free agents — thus impacting their upcoming draft plans.

Special Teams Mavens: Nate Ebner, S, and Matthew Slater, WR

A couple of names that really stand out as possible additions are safety Nate Ebner and wide receiver Matthew Slater. Both were standouts on special teams with Slater even making the Pro Bowl eight times during his career — most of which he spent with Judge as his coach.

Ebner also had plenty of success on special teams with Judge, making the All-Pro Second-Team in 2016. Both players are over the age of 30 and likely won’t play much longer but could help their old coach get things rolling in New York.

Still, they don’t make the top three because they probably wouldn’t have much of an impact on the team’s draft plans. These following players, however, could.

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