Ryan Nassib: Eli Manning’s Heir Apparent Or Trade Bait?

What to do, what to do with Ryan Nassib. The New York Giants back-up quarterback is entering his fourth year in the league and the final year of his rookie contract.

The Syracuse alum has only played in five games in three seasons as Eli Manning has extended his consecutive starts streak another 48 games. Zac Wassink of NFL Spin Zone thinks the G-men might find Eli Manning’s replacement as soon as this year’s draft.

In July of 2015, NFL.com reporter Mark Sessler ranked Nassib 28th on his list of the top back-up quarterbacks heading into the 2016 season, just ahead of Dan Orlovsky and Jimmy Clausen. Sessler noted that Nassib “remains a figure hidden deep in the background.”

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Paul Schwartz of the New York Post wrote that “the future is unclear” for the perpetual backup in an article that was ironically published on Eli Manning’s birthday (January 3rd). In the piece, Schwartz asked “Was Ryan Nassib a wasted draft choice or did he contribute exactly what the Giants wanted out of him in his four years?”

Back before the 2015 regular season kicked off during the dog days of August, when Eli’s contract extension was in question, fellow New York Post writer Bart Huobuch wrote that Nassib was “not content to be Eli’s back-up forever“. Huobuch added:

"“[The] critical league-wide shortage of even competent quarterbacks means Nassib no doubt would attract interest if he was on the open market or the Giants listened to trade offers, despite Nassib throwing just five regular-season passes.”"

That statement confirms my belief that Ryan Nassib will be next offseason’s Brock Osweiler. A solid back-up quarterback receiving a fat contract based on his potential.

A week before the game against the Buffalo Bills, Tom Rock of Newsday wrote that Nassib hopes to follow in the footsteps of opposing quarterback Tyrold Taylor, who served four years under Joe Flacco before signing with Buffalo.

In late March, NJ.com’s James Kratch asked “Will the Giants draft a QB?” and gave four reasons for why it would happen, one of which being Nassib’s final year under contract. Then, in April, Kratch reported that new Giants quarterbacks coach, Frank Cignetti, says that Nassib “has a great future ahead of him“.

We’ve now seen two big trades involving the upcoming draft that’s sent the NFL world on fire: the Los Angeles Rams – Tennessee Titans swap and the Philadelphia Eagles – Cleveland Browns exchange, in which Philly moves up to #2 in the draft, and the speculation grows about Nassib getting dealt for more draft picks. Those news items have stoked the speculation of a possible Giants trade. Is Ryan Nassib really on the block?

Since the Giants had to give up their 7th round pick this year for punter Brad Wing last season, Big Blue only has six picks to work with. Would they really throw away a project like Nassib to move up and select a playmaker? Or would they deal Nassib and trade down for a few more picks to pad their depth chart or possibly find a diamond in the rough?

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I’d love to see Nassib get his shot as the Giants starting quarterback, but not at the expense of Eli Manning. Unfortunately, it looks like we’ll have to admin Nassib’s best work in another uniform. I just hope the Giants are smart enough to get something in return for his departure.