New York Giants: Is It Time To Draft QB?
By John Tolis
Dec 28, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) reacts in the second half against the Philadelphia Eagles during the game at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
After the recent news that the New York Giants are comfortable with Eli Manning playing out his final year on his contract, it’s time to rethink everything.
It’s hard to believe that the Giants and Manning aren’t seeing eye to eye on a contract extension after two Super Bowl rings, but it’s happening. Both parties can’t seem to get a deal done before the start of the season and now the possibility of Manning leaving New York has sprouted.
Now that the issue has come out of nowhere, maybe the Giants’ back up plan could be drafting a quarterback. The quarterback position was never in doubt for the Giants, but now Manning could be on his final year. If Manning leaves, who will the Giants go to? Ryan Nassib? It’s most likely that the Giants will go all-in for Manning to assure he stays, but if he doesn’t, then they should go for a quarterback.
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fetched. The top prospects such as Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota will probably be off the board by the time the Giants get to draft. The third prospect at the position is UCLA’s Brett Hundley and at the fourth is Colorado State’s Garret Grayson. Maybe getting a solid young prospect playing back up to Manning this year wouldn’t be bad.
Hundley is a really interesting option because he has so much potential. The unpolished and unorthodox quarterback is a dual threat quarterback. He runs like a running back but he has great arm talent. He needs to be coached up but it’s hard not to see the Steve McNair like talent.
Jan 24, 2015; Mobile, AL, USA; South squad quarterback Garrett Grayson of Colorado State (8) looks for a receiver against the North squad in the fourth quarter of the Senior Bowl at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. The North won, 34-13. Mandatory Credit: Glenn Andrews-USA TODAY Sports
Grayson is a mechanically sound passer from a pro-style offense at Colorado State. He is NFL ready but one has to wonder how high his ceiling is. At best he projects to be like an Alex Smith type of quarterback. He won’t lose the game for you but can he put it all on his arm?
It’s evident the Giants want Manning to stay and who wouldn’t, but they also need a young gun just in case. The Giants need major improvements in other areas besides the quarterback position, but it’s something to think about. The last time the Giants drafted a quarterback was Philip Rivers and immediately got Manning which proved to be a solid deal. The Giants should draft a quarterback even if it’s their second pick because they have no certainty with Manning.
Yes, they’re comfortable with him playing out of his final year, but you never know what to expect in this business. They need that solid back-up for a reason and I highly doubt the Giants will go after a quarterback in free agency. There is no market for them now, so what other way to make a contingency plan than drafting a kid that could learn under a two-time Super Bowl MVP.