The G-Men have officially locked up the No. 2 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft.
It will be the New York Giants’ highest draft selection since taking Lawrence Taylor with the second pick in the 1981 draft.
The Giants officially named Dave Gettleman general manager last week and the search for Big Blue’s next head coach is already underway. New York’s new general manager wasted no time making changes, firing vice president of player evaluation Marc Ross and waiving offensive tackle Bobby Hart.
The Giants are in need of a total overhaul after posting a franchise-worst 13 losses in 2017, but they did lose multiple key players to injuries. Big Blue finished the season with a league-high 21 players on injured reserve. Odell Beckham Jr., Weston Richburg, Justin Pugh, Landon Collins, and Janoris Jenkins were just some of New York’s notable players to end the year on IR.
While Gettleman will have some major decisions to make in free agency this offseason, all eyes will be on what New York’s new general manager does in the 2018 draft. It’s no secret the Giants need help along the offensive line, especially at the offensive tackle position. But a chance to a select a franchise quarterback with a top three pick doesn’t come along often.
The last time Big Blue held a top five selection, the G-Men traded Philip Rivers to San Diego for Eli Manning.
Gettleman made it clear in his introductory press conference what his plans are for the franchise. He wants a team that can run the ball, stop the run, and rush the passer.
With that in mind and the 2017 season officially behind us, let’s take a closer look at the top 25 prospects Big Blue should target in the 2018 NFL Draft.
#25 – Mississippi State OT Martinas Rankin
Surprise, surprise an offensive tackle kicks off the list of top prospects. Rankin is Mississippi State’s first offensive lineman since Gabe Jackson to earn first-team All-SEC honors.
The Bulldogs offensive line gave up the fewest sacks (11) in program history in 2017, which was also the fewest of any Power 5 program. Mississippi State’s 6-foot-5, 315-pound offensive tackle logged 17 starts during his collegiate career and has already accepted his invitation to the Senior Bowl.
ESPN’s Mel Kiper lists Rankin as the fourth best offensive tackle prospect in this year’s class, and his colleague Todd McShay had the Minnesota Vikings select the JUCO transfer with the 29th overall pick in his first mock draft.
Rankin is surely not a first-round target for Big Blue, but he could prove to be a solid value selection if available at the start of the second-round.
#24 – Ohio State CB Denzel Ward
The Giants may decide to move on from Eli Apple after suspending him for the team’s regular season finale and ironically could replace him with another Buckeye. Big Blue seems highly unlikely to select a cornerback in the first-round of the 2018 draft, but that doesn’t mean Ward won’t be on New York’s radar.
Kiper lists Ward as the 12th best prospect on his Big Board.
While Apple hasn’t panned out for the G-Men, former Buckeyes cornerback Marshon Lattimore has visibly helped turnaround New Orleans’ defense in his rookie season.
Ward is neither Lattimore nor Apple, but he has a good chance of being the top cornerback off the board come April. The 5-foot-10, 191-pound cornerback plays bigger than his size, and Bleacher Report’s Matt Miller lists him as the “best slot cornerback” in this year’s draft class.
Ward recorded 37 tackles, two interceptions, and knocked down 15 passes in 2017. The All-American cornerback elected not to play in the Cotton Bowl after announcing his decision to enter this year’s draft.
#23 – Western Michigan OT Chukwuma Okorafor
The Broncos 6-foot-6, 330-pound offensive tackle is a prospect Big Blue’s fans should keep an eye on. The Giants are highly unlikely to use the No. 2 overall pick on the All-American offensive tackle, but he could prove to be great value selection in the second or third rounds.
Chukwuma Okorafor becomes just the second Bronco ever to earn FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICAN honors from the FWAA. #LetsRide pic.twitter.com/iTu2y9hcrd
— Western Michigan Football (@WMU_Football) December 11, 2017
Gettleman selected Okorafor’s former teammate Taylor Moton with the 64th overall pick in the 2017 draft. Miller lists the Western Michigan prospect as his “biggest sleeper” at the offensive tackle position.
Okorafor is quickly rising up big boards and can continue to boost his draft stock with a strong performance in the Senior Bowl.
The Giants have questions at both right and left tackle this offseason, especially with Ereck Flowers’ future with the team up in the air. There are differing opinions of whether Okorafor or Rankin is the better prospect, and the Senior Bowl and NFL Scouting Combine could prove to be the difference maker of who is selected first.
#22 – Ohio State C Billy Price
Offensive tackle and a future franchise quarterback remain New York’s top priorities this offseason, but the G-Men may need to find a permanent replacement for center Weston Richburg should he leave in free agency.
Giants backup center Brett Jones is a restricted free agent this offseason, but he is not a long-term solution for Big Blue’s center position.
Both Kiper and Miller have Ohio State’s 6-foot-4, 312-pound center listed as the best prospect at his position, and NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah wrote that Price is “one of the best center prospects I’ve seen in the past decade.”
Vikings third-round pick Pat Elflein was instrumental in the turnaround of Minnesota’s offensive line in 2017, and Price is expected to be the next Buckeye offensive lineman to thrive at the next level. It’s unknown if he will fall out of the first-round, but the Ohio State center would be a second-round steal if New York moves on from Richburg.
#21 – Texas LB Malik Jefferson
Somehow Jefferson seems to have slipped down draft analysts’ big board despite an impressive junior season in Austin. The 6-foot-3, 240-pound linebacker recorded 110 tackles, 10 tackles for a loss, and four sacks in 2017, and has already announced his decision to enter the 2018 draft.
Kiper has Jefferson listed as the ninth best outside linebacker in his prospect rankings. Miller, on the other hand, has the Longhorns linebacker listed as the second best prospect at his position and writes that Jefferson is the best pass coverage linebacker.
McShay wrote last month that Jefferson could use another year of development but also noted that “he has NFL size and an NFL skill set.” The Giants are still looking for a leader in their linebacker corps, and Jefferson could prove to be a steal after the first-round.
The Longhorns prospect can easily boost his draft stock in the coming months and may have the most upside potential of any linebacker in this year’s class.
#20 – USC RB Ronald Jones II
There are quite a few talented running backs that seem to be under the radar this draft season, including players like Nick Chubb and Royce Freeman. But USC’s 6-foot, 210-pound tailback might be the most overlooked prospect at his position.
Jones has shown steady improvement through three seasons in the Pac-12 and has the potential to be next year’s Dalvin Cook, Alvin Kamara, or Kareem Hunt should he slide out of the first-round. Jones amassed 1,715 yards and 20 touchdowns in his junior season and has the ability to run over defensive backs or burn past linebackers.
Miller labels the Trojans prospect at the running back with the “best speed” and has him listed as the third best tailback in this year’s draft class.
Gettleman will first have to decide whether he wants to re-sign Orleans Darkwa in free agency this offseason and then must make the decision whether he believes Darkwa and Wayne Gallman can solve Big Blue’s rushing issues.
If the Giants new general manager elects to go in a different direction, Jones will likely be a prospect on New York’s draft radar.
#19 – Alabama LB Rashaan Evans
The New York Giants are highly unlikely to use the No. 2 overall pick on a linebacker, but that doesn’t mean Evans won’t be on Big Blue’s draft board.
Two of New York’s defensive starters, Landon Collins and Dalvin Tomlison, came from Nick Saban’s football factory, and Evans is expected to be the next great linebacker out of Tuscaloosa.
The 6-foot-3, 234-pound prospect has played both inside and outside linebacker and is looking to lead the Tide to a second National Championship in three seasons. Despite missing some time with a groin injury, Evans has recorded a career-high 66 tackles, 11.5 tackles for a loss, six sacks, and one forced fumble.
Kiper has Evans listed as the 21st overall prospect in this year’s draft class, but it’s not impossible to think he could slide to the second-round. McShay had the Eagles taking the Alabama linebacker with the last pick in the first-round of his mock draft.
#18 – Clemson DE Clelin Ferrell
Clemson’s defensive end has skyrocketed his draft value with his play in 2017. The 6-foot-5, 265-pound pass rusher recorded 66 tackles, 18 tackles for a loss, 9.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles this season.
Kiper has Ferrell listed as the No. 8 overall prospect and the second best defensive end. Clemson’s redshirt sophomore is an ideal fit for a 4-3 defensive front and could be an eventual replacement for Jason Pierre-Paul or Olivier Vernon down the road.
Ferrell is unlikely to end up with Big Blue due to New York’s draft position. McShay had the Tampa Bay Buccaneers selecting Clemson’s defensive end in his most recent mock draft, and most draft analysts expect him to be a top-15 pick.
The Giants finished the 2017 season tied for the third fewest team sacks (27) in the NFL. Gettleman will likely add at least one pass rusher to New York’s roster this offseason either through the draft or free agency. And unless the G-Men trade back, Ferrell seems likely to start his NFL career elsewhere.
#17 – LSU RB Derrius Guice
Darkwa and Gallman gave New York’s new general manager something to think about with their performance in the team’s regular season finale, but then again, Washington’s rush defense did finish dead last in the NFL in 2017.
Gettleman may decide to re-sign Darkwa and still add a running back in the draft, but that may lower the team’s need for an upgrade at the position. The Giants will have to make these decisions well before the 2018 draft, but if Guice is still on the board at the start of the second-round, New York would be foolish to pass on him.
Of course, New York’s first selection will likely determine their draft strategy, but Guice is sure to make one NFL franchise very happy. Miller has Guice listed as the No. 11 overall prospect in this year’s class, and the 5-foot-11, 218-pound bulldozer is coming off back-to-back 1,250-yard rushing seasons in the Southeastern Conference.
During Guice’s three seasons in Baton Rouge, he averaged 6.5 yards per carry and scored 32 touchdowns. The LSU prospect would bring some much-need physicality to Big Blue’s backfield.
#16 – Georgia LB Roquan Smith
There are many intriguing linebacker prospects in this year’s draft class from Iowa’s Josey Jewell to Virginia Tech’s Tremaine Edmunds, but Smith may be the perfect fit for what Big Blue needs in a middle linebacker.
Giants middle linebacker B.J. Goodson missed nine games this season due to injury, and New York has not had a long-term solution at the position since Antonio Pierce retired after the 2009 season. The Giants tend to overlook the linebacker position and focus on the defensive line and secondary, but Georgia’s 6-foot-1, 225-pound linebacker is surely not flying under the radar.
Despite concerns about his size, Smith may be the best sideline-to-sideline linebacker in this year’s class. Kiper has the Bulldogs inside linebacker listed as the 15th best overall prospect.
Smith has played huge in Georgia’s two most important games this season, recording a combined 24 tackles and one sack in the SEC Championship and Rose Bowl. He leads the Bulldogs defense with 124 tackles, 11.5 tackles for a loss, and 5.5 sacks.
If the Giants are looking to add a signal-caller and leader to the middle of their defense, Smith might be the ideal prospect.
#15 – Florida State S Derwin James
James is a top-ten talent but is unlikely to end up with the G-Men due to the team’s needs. The 6-foot-3, 211-pound defensive back can play both safety and cornerback but is expected to play safety at the next level.
The Giants seem unlikely to use a first or second-round draft pick on a safety given their current roster, but the Florida State prospect still had to crack this list. Kiper lists the former five-star recruit as the sixth best prospect in this year’s draft regardless of position.
The Seminoles redshirt sophomore missed all but two games in 2016 due to a torn meniscus. James has already decided to enter the draft after a bounce-back year in 2017 and has been on NFL franchises’ radars every since his impressive freshman season.
In 26 games played, James has amassed 186 tackles, 15 tackles for a loss, 5.5 sacks, three interceptions, two forced fumbles, and has scored one defensive touchdown.
#14 – Boston College DE Harold Landry
Landry is clearly sliding on draft analysts’ big boards after missing the final five games of the season with an ankle injury. That could be good news for one NFL franchise, as the 6-foot-3, 250-pound pass rusher could prove to be a steal depending on his draft selection.
Landry led the FBS with 16.5 sacks in 2016 but was unable to recreate his impressive numbers his senior year. After recording 22 tackles for a loss and seven forced fumble in his junior season, Landry accounted for just 8.5 tackles for a loss and five sacks in eight games this season.
Kiper dropped Landry from the No. 10 prospect to the 17th overall prospect in his most recent rankings and writes that the Boston College prospect “can play outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense or end in a 4-3” defense.
While there’s likely only one defensive end New York should consider for the No. 2 overall pick, Giants fans could always hope Landry slides to the early second-round. But that seems unlikely to happen, especially if the Boston College defensive end impresses at this year’s Senior Bowl.
#13 – Iowa CB Josh Jackson
NFL Draft analysts have differing opinions as to who the best cornerback is in this year’s draft class, but Jackson’s play speaks for itself.
The 6-foot-1, 192-pound cornerback is a ball-hawk in the secondary, leading the FBS with eight interceptions on the year. While there may be no Marshon Lattimore in this year’s draft, Jackson has the potential to be a game-changer for an NFL secondary.
Kiper has Jackson listed as the 25th best overall prospect in this year’s class and writes that he “was the best corner in college football this season.”
Miller also has high expectations for the Hawkeyes cornerback, ranking him the top player at his position. Bleacher Report’s draft analyst also lists Jackson as the cornerback with the “best potential.”
In his first full season as a starter, Jackson amassed 48 tackles, 18 passes defended, eight interceptions, and scored two defensive touchdowns.
#12 – Oklahoma OT Orlando Brown
It’s time to get back to the big boys up front. There’s a reason seven offensive linemen crack this list. The Giants have multiple needs along the offensive line this offseason and are sure to take at least one offensive lineman in the 2018 draft.
Hopefully, Gettleman doesn’t wait until the sixth-round to select an offensive tackle like Jerry Reese did last year. This year’s draft class is expected to have more talented offensive linemen than last year’s class, but it’s not as deep as other positions, such as running back.
Brown is surely a prospect Big Blue fans should keep an eye on, as he might be exactly what Gettleman is looking for in a cornerstone left tackle. The 6-foot-8, 345-pound junior is arguably the most talented run-blocking tackle in this year’s draft class.
Kiper has the Sooners offensive tackle listed as the third best player at his position and the 24th overall prospect. ESPN’s longtime draft analyst praises Brown’s ability to pick up blitzing linebackers, and anyone that has watched him play has likely noticed how quickly he moves for a big man.
#11 – Alabama DB Minkah Fitzpatrick
Much like Derwin James, the Giants are unlikely to select Fitzpatrick due to his value and the team’s draft selection. Fitzpatrick may be the most talented overall prospect in this year’s draft class, and both Miller and Kiper have the Crimson Tide safety listed as a top three talent.
Fitzpatrick has played both corner and safety during his time in Tuscaloosa and is going to make one defensive coordinator very happy come draft day. The 6-foot-1, 202-pound defensive back has amassed 166 tackles, 15.5 tackles for a loss, nine interceptions, five sacks, and has scored four defensive touchdowns during his collegiate career.
It may be fun to imagine Fitzpatrick lined up next to Landon Collins in Big Blue’s secondary, but the Giants just used a third-round selection on free safety Darian Thompson during the 2016 draft.
Miller has Fitzpatrick listed as the “most NFL-ready” prospect at the safety position and also has him labeled as the “best free safety” in this year’s class. The Chuck Bednarik (college football’s best defensive player) and Jim Thorpe (college football’s best defensive back) award winner will undoubtedly be one of the most talked about prospects this draft season.
#10 – LSU DE/OLB Arden Key
LSU’s 6-foot-6, 265-pound pass rusher may be the biggest question mark of the 2018 NFL Draft.
Key was projected to be a sure-fire top 10 selection entering his junior season, but injuries would limit him to just eight games and four sacks. The Tigers dynamic pass rusher recorded 12.5 tackles for a loss, 11 sacks, and two forced fumbles in his sophomore season but has recently slid on draft analysts’ big boards due to a disappointing junior year.
Miller wrote that Key has the “best potential” of this year’s edge rushers, but also has him listed as the seventh best player at the position in the 2018 class. Kiper, on the other hand, has the LSU prospect ranked No. 16 overall, and McShay had him going to the New York Jets in the first-round of his mock draft.
Key cracks the top ten on this list based purely off his potential. Gettleman made it known during his introductory press conference that the Giants will look to improve their pass rush, making the defensive end position a priority this offseason.
#9 – Wyoming QB Josh Allen
Wyoming’s 6-foot-5, 233-pound quarterback checks all the boxes NFL teams look for in a franchise quarterback, but his play against Power 5 programs will likely cause some organizations to question whether he’s a first-round selection.
Allen threw no touchdowns and three interceptions against Iowa and Oregon and was held to 238 yards passing combined. The Cowboys junior quarterback announced his decision to enter the 2018 draft after putting on a clinic in the Idaho Potato Bowl.
Allen’s numbers are far from impressive, but he did miss two games down the stretch due to injuries. He completed just 56.3 percent of his passes for 1,812 yards and threw 16 touchdowns to six interceptions.
Kiper lists Wyoming’s quarterback as the 11th overall prospect and the third best quarterback in this year’s draft and expects Allen to be picked in the top 10.
Allen is looking to join Carson Wentz, Paxton Lynch, Joe Flacco, and Ben Roethlisberger as the latest quarterback from a non-Power-5 conference to be selected in the first-round. The G-Men will surely take a close look at the Wyoming quarterback, as will all 32 NFL franchises.
While there are some concerns with Allen’s numbers, he will have the chance to put those notions to rest at the NFL Scouting Combine. Wyoming’s quarterback may be the biggest question mark at the quarterback position but arguably also has the most to gain this draft season.
#8 – Oklahoma QB Baker Mayfield
Oklahoma’s Heisman winning quarterback was unable to lead the Sooners to the National Championship but did post a 147.7 passer efficiency rating against Georgia’s nationally ranked defense.
Mayfield completed 23-of-35 passes for 287 yards and threw two touchdowns to one interception in the 54-48 double overtime loss. The two-time walk-on quarterback has had no problem proving doubters wrong in the past and once again faces questions about his size as he enters the next chapter of his football career.
The 6-foot-1, 220-pound quarterback’s measurements are sure to be scrutinized during the draft evaluation process. Mayfield has shown this season that he has the arm talent to produce at the next level, and his impressive play has likely vaulted him into the first-round.
The Sooners quarterback reminds many fans of Russell Wilson due to their abilities to continually come up with clutch plays, but it also must be remembered that Wilson wasn’t selected until the third-round of 2012 draft.
There are some concerns with how Mayfield’s play will translate to next the level, but he seems to never shy away from a challenge. The Heisman winning quarterback from Austin has already accepted his invite to the Senior Bowl.
#7 – Notre Dame OG Quenton Nelson
Notre Dame’s 6-foot-5, 330-pound guard is arguably the most talented offensive lineman in this year’s draft class.
“He’s a plug-and-play NFL starter and should have a long, successful pro career,” NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah wrote earlier this season.
Miller and Kiper both have Nelson listed as the No. 1 guard and a top 10 prospect for the 2018 draft. Pro Football Focus gave Notre Dame’s All-American offensive lineman the highest-rated grade for a run blocking guard in 2017.
Nelson is a human highlight reel for pancake blocks during his tenure with the Fighting Irish. He has the potential to have a similar impact as Zack Martin, who has made the Pro Bowl all four years since joining the Dallas Cowboys.
The Giants are highly unlikely to use the No. 2 overall pick on a guard, but that doesn’t mean Big Blue fans shouldn’t keep an eye on Nelson. Gettleman has a major decision to make with Justin Pugh in free agency this offseason, and if the G-Men trade back in into the middle of the first-round, who’s to say Nelson couldn’t end up in New York.
#6 – Texas OT Connor Williams
If the Giants are looking to improve their pass protection in 2018 then Williams is the prospect to take. The 6-foot-6, 315-pound junior has already declared for the draft and is expected to be one of the top offensive tackles off the board, if not the first.
Despite missing seven games this season, Miller still lists Williams as the best offensive tackle prospect in this year’s class. Most draft analysts project the Longhorns left tackle to be taken in the first-round, and Kiper has him listed as the 19th overall prospect in the 2018 draft.
“He’s a pure left tackle prospect with great feet and balance, and he just doesn’t get beaten in pass protection,” Kiper wrote on his Big Board rankings last month.
While it may be a reach for Big Blue to use the No. 2 overall pick on Williams, the Giants are likely to receive plenty of calls for their high draft selection. After months of evaluation, Gettleman will have to decide what he believes is in the best long-term interest of the franchise.
#5 – Notre Dame OT Mike McGlinchey
If there were one offensive tackle to take with the No. 2 overall pick, Notre Dame’s All-American left tackle has arguably the best case. The Fighting Irish’s two-time captain is the most pro-ready tackle in this year’s draft and can play both right or left tackle at the next level.
Kiper has McGlinchey listed as the top offensive tackle prospect in this year’s class, and he may be the safest prospect at his position in terms of talent. While some would argue Williams has a higher ceiling than the Fighting Irish left tackle, NFL teams know what they are getting in McGlinchey.
Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly has seen plenty of his players taken in the first-round of drafts, but had high praise for 6-foot-8, 315-pound senior, via 24/7 Sports.
"“Just an incredible kid. I’m in the business 27 years and you get one guy like that.”"
While this year’s class is overall more talented at the tackle position than the 2017 draft, it’s unclear if any tackle is worthy of a top five selection. If the Giants want to take a tackle in the first-round, trading back seems like the smartest solution.
#4 – N.C. State DE Bradley Chubb
The Giants have heavily invested in Pierre-Paul, 29, and Vernon, 27, but that doesn’t mean Big Blue shouldn’t look to add some talented youth to their defensive line.
Only one pass rusher is worthy of the No. 2 overall pick in this year’s draft and that’s N.C. State’s 6-foot-4, 275-pound All-American. Gettleman noted the importance of having a dominant pass rush in his introductory press conference and even brought up Big Blue’s history of loading the defensive end position, via New York’s team website.
"“You can never have too many great players at one position. I mean, you think about us – we got (Michael) Strahan and Osi (Umenyiora) and we’re drafting (Justin) Tuck and we’re drafting (Mathias) Kiwanuka and people are looking at us like we have brain damage.”"
Both Kiper and Miller have Chubb listed as the best defensive end prospect, which should come as no surprise. In three seasons in the ACC, Chubb has amassed 54.5 tackles for a loss, 25 sacks, and six forced fumbles.
Chubb may not be an athletic freak like last year’s No. 1 overall pick, Myles Garrett, but he will surely make his presence felt at the next level.
#3 – Penn State RB Saquon Barkley
The Giants will need to think long and hard about taking Barkley with the No. 2 overall pick. It’s no secret that quarterback and offensive tackle are the team’s top needs this offseason, but it’s a rare opportunity to get a chance to land a game-changing playmaker like Barkley.
The Giants missed their opportunity to select Todd Gurley in the 2015 draft, and Los Angeles has since built their offensive line around the 2017 league MVP candidate. Of course, the Rams traded up in the following year’s draft to select Jared Goff No. 1 overall, but the moves have seemed to work out well for general manager Les Snead.
The Giants can always pass on the opportunity to select Barkley and hope they land a playmaker like the Saints and Chiefs did in Kamara and Hunt in the 2017 draft. But it’s also rare for an NFL franchise to have the chance to draft an almost sure-thing.
Both Kiper and Miller have Barkley listed as the No. 1 overall prospect regardless of position. The Nittany Lions 5-foot-11, 230-pound running back amassed 5,058 total yards and scored 51 touchdowns in three seasons in the Big Ten.
Barkley is the definition of a dual-threat running back and can make a mediocre offensive line look great. Gettleman has shown he has no problem taking a running back early, selecting Christian McCaffrey with the No. 8 overall pick in the 2017 draft.
#2 – USC QB Sam Darnold
The Trojans 6-foot-4, 220-pound quarterback was unable to live up to the hype in his redshirt sophomore season, throwing more interceptions and fewer touchdowns than he did as a freshman.
Despite a disappointing season statically, Darnold led USC to the program’s first Pac-12 title since 2008. He also threw for the fourth most yards (4,143) in the FBS. Both Kiper and Miller have the Trojans quarterback listed as a top five prospect, and he arguably may have the highest ceiling of any quarterback in this year’s draft class.
Darnold has all the traits of a franchise quarterback, but similar to Allen, he is far from a finished product. The Giants may make the perfect fit for the USC quarterback, as he would have time to learn behind Eli Manning for at least one full season before being thrown into action.
McShay had the Cleveland Browns taking the Trojans quarterback with the No. 1 overall pick in his first mock draft. NFL teams are really just getting started on the evaluations of these quarterbacks, and at this point, Darnold and Josh Rosen seem neck-and-neck for the top overall pick.
#1 – UCLA QB Josh Rosen
The Giants will likely use the No. 2 overall pick on a quarterback, Barkley, or trade back for an offensive tackle. But which quarterback should Big Blue take?
Neither Darnold nor Rosen have declared for the draft at this time, but both are expected to be top five selections. Rosen may have put a little separation between himself and Darnold down the stretch, but his overall record at UCLA may concern some NFL franchises.
The 6-foot-4, 218-pound quarterback only posted a winning record one time in three seasons at UCLA, but he missed more than half of his sophomore season due to a shoulder injury. Rosen bounced back nicely in 2017, completing 62.5 percent of his passes for 3,717 yards. The Bruins quarterback posted a career-best passer efficiency rating (146.3) and threw 26 touchdowns to 10 interceptions.
Kiper lists Rosen as the fourth best overall prospect and the best quarterback in this year’s class. Miller, on the hand, has UCLA’s junior quarterback ranked sixth overall and places him only behind Darnold in terms of quarterback prospects.
Right now it looks as if Rosen is 1A and Darnold is 1B. The Giants will do their due diligence with both quarterbacks should they declare for early entry. But there’s no guarantee New York gets their first choice sitting behind Cleveland.