The G-Men are on pace to have their highest draft selection in over a decade.
The New York Giants currently hold the No. 3 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft following Sunday’s loss to the San Francisco 49ers and could potentially move up a spot before the season ends.
It’s no secret the Giants need help along the offensive line. New York’s front office has major decisions to make with unrestricted free agents Justin Pugh and Weston Richburg this offseason and needs to find a legitimate starting left tackle.
It remains unclear who will be leading the G-Men into the offseason with plenty of turmoil throughout the franchise. Giants head coach Ben McAdoo may find himself on the way out of the Big Apple following the 2017 season, and general manager Jerry Reese is surely not safe.
A change in the coaching staff and front office could drastically change New York’s draft philosophy. Giants fans will have to wait to see what happens with McAdoo and Reese, but a 1-8 record has many looking ahead to the draft.
#10 – Oklahoma QB Baker Mayfield
Mayfield is currently the Heisman Trophy frontrunner but is also climbing up draft analysts’ big boards with his play this season. The Sooners 6-foot-1, 220-pound quarterback doesn’t have the size or frame of a typical NFL franchise quarterback but has continued to prove doubters wrong throughout his college career.
Mayfield has thrown 31 touchdowns to five interceptions and has Oklahoma in the driver’s seat to make its second College Football Playoff appearance in three seasons. The Sooners quarterback is unlikely to warrant a top three pick, but that doesn’t mean New York’s front office shouldn’t have Mayfield on their radar.
#9 – Alabama FS Minkah Fitzpatrick
Fitzpatrick is unlikely to be New York’s top draft selection, but Alabama’s do-everything defensive back had to crack this list. The 6-foot-1, 202-pound defensive back is expected to play free safety at the next level and was just named a finalist for the Bronko Nagurski Award, given to the nation’s best defensive player.
The Giants already have free safety Darian Thompson starting alongside strong safety Landon Collins in their secondary, but they may not want to pass up on a prospect of Fitzpatrick’s caliber. The Crimson Tide’s safety has recorded 44 tackles, 5.5 tackles for a loss, five passes defended, and one interception in 10 games this season. Bleacher Report’s Matt Miller gave Fitzpatrick his top ranking for a defensive player on his Big Board last month.
#8 – Notre Dame G Quenton Nelson
The Giants are in need of an upgrade at left tackle, but Nelson might be the best offensive lineman in this year’s draft class. The Giants are likely to make guard Justin Pugh their top priority this offseason, but the fifth-year offensive lineman has proven himself a valid starting right tackle when needed.
ESPN’s Mel Kiper ranked Nelson as the top offensive lineman on his most recent Big Board. While the Giants are likely to use their top selection on a quarterback or offensive tackle, trading back could allow Big Blue to get multiple impact players. The 6-foot-5, 330-pound guard would make an immediate impact for New York’s ground game and is likely to be a sure-fire first-round pick.
#7 – Texas OT Connor Williams
Williams was projected to be one of the top left tackles in the 2018 NFL Draft prior to his junior season, but a knee injury has sidelined him for the Longhorns’ past seven games. Texas head coach Tom Herman said the All-American left tackle could potentially return this week against West Virginia.
Williams’ knee injury has caused him to slide down some draft analysts’ big boards, but Kiper still has him as the 16th best prospect in this year’s draft class. The 6-foot-6, 315-pound left tackle could immediately fill a void for the G-Men at left tackle, and will surely be one to watch should he elect to enter the 2018 draft.
#6 – N.C. State DE Bradley Chubb
The Giants are tied for the fewest team sacks (13) in the NFL entering Week 11. Big Blue’s starting defensive ends Jason Pierre-Paul and Olivier Vernon have not lived up to their contracts this season, and adding a playmaker like Chubb would instantly elevate New York’s pass rush.
The Wolfpack’s 6-foot-4, 275-pound defensive end is a force of nature in the trenches. Chubb has recorded 21.5 tackles for a loss, 10 sacks, and one forced fumble through ten games this season and has amassed 53 tackles for a loss and 25 sacks during his collegiate career at N.C. State.
#5 – UCLA QB Josh Rosen
The Bruins 6-foot-4, 220-pound quarterback has the size and arm strength NFL teams look for in a prototypical franchise quarterback, but injuries, inconsistent play, and his mental mindset may cause some concerns for NFL franchises. Rosen is completing a career-high 62.2 percent of his passes in his junior season and thrown 21 touchdowns to nine interceptions.
Kiper gave UCLA’s quarterback his No. 2 ranking on his Big Board, and most expect the Bruins quarterback to be a top ten selection in the 2018 draft. It’s unknown if New York would be the best fit for Rosen, but there is no denying his talent.
#4 – Oklahoma OT Orlando Brown
Brown is arguably one of the biggest risers in terms of offensive tackle prospects this season. The Sooners 6-foot-8, 345-pound lineman is projected to be a starting left tackle at the next level and has been key to Oklahoma’s explosive offense.
Miller ranks Brown as the third best offensive tackle in this year’s draft class. Brown has quick feet for a big man and has been solid in both pass protection and run blocking this season. The Sooners junior offensive lineman has the potential to be a cornerstone left tackle for an NFL franchise for the next decade, something Big Blue has surely missed.
#3 – Notre Dame OT Mike McGlinchey
Notre Dame’s 6-foot-8, 315-pound offensive tackle could have come in at No. 1 on this list, but a poor outing against Miami has caused him to slide to No. 3. Miller writes that McGlinchey is the most pro-ready tackle in this year’s draft class.
The Fighting Irish’s senior left tackle would immediately help New York in pass protection and would allow Big Blue the ability to play Ereck Flowers at right tackle. If the Giants were to re-sign Pugh in free agency and take McGlinchey early in the first-round it would undoubtedly improve New York’s offense.
McGlinchey has all the tools to be a cornerstone left tackle at the next level, but there is still plenty of football and evaluations left before determining the top tackle in this year’s class.
#2 – Penn State RB Saquon Barkley
The Giants have not selected a running back in the first-round since taking David Wilson with the No. 32 overall pick in the 2012 draft. Wilson’s career was cut short due to a recurring neck injury, but that shouldn’t deter New York from selecting Barkley in the 2018 draft.
The Giants clearly have more pressing needs along the offensive line, but a game-changer at running back like Barkley would surely alleviate some of New York’s offensive woes. Both Kiper and Miller have the Nittany Lions running back as the top prospect in this year’s draft class.
Barkley has a career average of 5.6 yards per carry and has scored 44 touchdowns. The 5-foot-11, 228-pound running back is a dual-threat out of the backfield and is likely to have the same impact Leonard Fournette and Ezekiel Elliott have had as early first-round draft picks.
#1 – USC QB Sam Darnold
Giants co-owner John Mara reportedly sent out a directive earlier this season to start scouting the nation’s top quarterback prospects, and Darnold could very well end up being Eli Manning’s eventual successor in New York.
There is no guarantee the Trojans redshirt sophomore quarterback enters the 2018 NFL Draft, or that he will even make it past the No. 1 selection if Cleveland is on the clock. But that doesn’t mean New York shouldn’t target the 6-foot-4, 220-pound quarterback. Darnold was expected to be the consensus No. 1 overall pick entering the 2017 season but turnovers behind a shaky offensive line have led some to question his potential at the next level.
Miller ranks Darnold as the second best prospect in this year’s class, while Kiper ranks him No. 5 on his latest Big Board. Darnold struggled against Notre Dame last month but has looked good recently and has the Trojans in line to play for a Pac-12 title this season.
The Trojans quarterback checks all the boxes NFL teams look for in a franchise quarterback and would likely be too hard to pass up if available for Big Blue’s first-round selection.