New York Giants: What does the team’s future look like?
By Derek Laffin
Big Blue has stumbled their way through the 2017 season, leading fans to question every positive and promising article heading into this season.
Fans will be calling for the firing of the of New York Giants head coach Ben McAdoo and general manager Jerry Reese. And to a certain extent the claims for the firing are justified.
However, it is not the coach’s job (or the general manager) to tackle a ball carrier, press cover a wide receiver and know where your help is on the field. These guys don’t drop uncontested passes. And they don’t thorw unnecessary passes into double coverage hoping to force a big play.
With that said, when the GM fails to construct the roster that improves an area known to many to have marginal talent along a such a vital position as the offensive line. That is grounds for being fired. When the sheer pride and stubbornness of the head coach impedes the progress of possibly explosive aerial onslaught that is comprised of Beckham, Shepard, Marshall and Engram that is grounds for being fired.
This season shall be a great disappointment in everyone’s eyes, especially when the aspirations were so high. So, shall we take a look to see what the future could possibly hold?
It is never to late to talk about the next years draft, especially with your losses totaling almost half of the regular season and it is not even November yet. With the New York Giants currently sitting at 1-6 their potential draft slot is anything but certain.
Drafting High
Currently, the have the No. 3 draft pick, based off of their current record and strength of schedule.
New York Giants
Last year, the gem of almost every New York Giants fans eye was tight end O.J. Howard from Alabama. The super-athletic tight end has totaled as of Week 7: 11 receptions, 205 receiving yards and three touchdowns. Giants have possibly to most gifted tight end of the draft class in Evan Engram. He has proven to everyone to be a serviceable blocker and almost impossible to single cover.
Engram has amassed 30 receptions, 342 receiving yards and three touchdowns through seven weeks. With Beckham out for the season, there no superstar to eat up targets.
Eli has found Engram early and often in games this chemistry would probably not have been able to blossom as quickly if all the weapons were available to Manning. Engram will be a bright spot in the Giants future, having a healthy Sheppard, Engram and Beckham, 2018 is already sounding better.
After having read countless tweets around draft time about Reese not being aggressive enough in going after players. Fans might get everything they having been wishing for this off-season. Reese may no longer be the GM and the Giants will be sitting in a prime position to land a true difference maker.
Next Franchise Quarterback?
There has been ongoing talks for a while now that the Giants need to draft Eli’s replacement.
Webb will not challenge for that spot for at least another year or two. So do you go and get a Josh Rosen QB from UCLA? Some analysts say he may be a much better overall football player than former No.1 overall pick Jared Goff. Some critics have called Rosen “whiny” and not a great teammate, but a hell of a football player.
Southern Cal’s Sam Darnold sure looks the part physically. He has all the tools you want in a franchise quarterback, but he has been wildly and somewhat inexplicably inconsistent this year.
AUSTIN, TX – SEPTEMBER 04: Armanti Foreman #3 of the Texas Longhorns celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown during the first quarter against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on September 4, 2016 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Do the New York Giants feel like rolling the dice on either of these QBs?
Not sure either quarterback at this time is what the Giants need, without knowing what they have in Davis Webb. So, let’s now talk about the elephant in the room and that is the O-line and specially the left tackle position.
Don’t Be Left Out
The 2018 class has its share of talented players at left tackle, but not a difference-maker. But picking third overall would help buttress perennial offensive line struggles. Let’s talk about some of these prospects and see if trading back for one might help secure the Giants future with more picks and injection of talent to a position dearth of that very thing.
Left tackle Connor Williams (Texas) might be the most athletically gifted of the group. He mirrors defenders with ease with a smooth kick step. He packs a powerful punch to stun pass rushers and works well at the second level. DraftTek.com has him rated as the No. 1 left tackle prospect. Unfortunately, a devastating knee injury may have zapped some of the bend and explosiveness that made Williams such an intriguing prospect.
AUSTIN, TX – SEPTEMBER 04: Armanti Foreman #3 of the Texas Longhorns celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown during the first quarter against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on September 4, 2016 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Another tackle, Mike McGlinchey from Notre Dame, is possibly the most technically sound of all the tackle prospects. That would be a welcome addition and should have fans cheering, after seeing Ereck Flowers beaten like a drum for the past few seasons.
McGlinchey does not come without his share of problems. He seems to struggle with quick-footed pass rushers. Also, he does not get to the second level and sustain his blocks very well.
This leads me to the man we have been waiting for. He may just cause pandemonium to erupt at the New York Giants draft day parties.
Must Read: New York Giants could not afford Davis Webb selection
Penn State’s Saquon Barkley is a 5-1, 223 lbs. phenom. He may instantly cause fans to forget about the travesty of the 2017 season. Barkley accolades have been well documented. And he is currently the favorite to win the Heisman Trophy.
Barkley’s 4.33 second 40-yard dash would have been the fastest of all running backs this year. And his 30 reps of 225 lbs. bench press would had tied for the top spot at the NFL combine. Throw in a vertical of 38 inches and a 3 cone time of 6.70, this is the stuff dreams are made of.
With free agency, a leadership change, plus significant cap space, the Giants could pull a 180 degree turnaround in 2018. The G-Men could target key free agent acquisitions, and pick Barkley with their first round selection
An offense comprised of Beckham, Engram and Barkley could be devastating. With all of these players on the field at the same time could cause defensive coordinators to rethink their career choice.