Big Blue holds the second pick in the draft, but they could pull an audible.
What if the New York Giants decide not to draft a quarterback?
Starting quarterback Eli Manning is 37-years-old, so the team needs to find their next franchise quarterback soon. The logical next step is to take one of the top rated quarterbacks with the second pick, but that is not their only solution.
Will they trade back?
The Giants have a talented roster but need better coaching and a couple more quality players. They are not far off from the 11-5 team of 2016, even though they were 3-13 this year.
In the draft, the Giants could trade back to one of the many quarterback-needy teams. This could include the Broncos (5th), Jets (6th), Redskins (13th), and Cardinals (15th).
The Giants may not want to move back too far in the draft though.
A trade with the Broncos or Jets would give the Giants more picks, while still giving them a top selection.
With this pick, the Giants could take a left tackle or running back to give Manning some much-needed help.
A left tackle may actually be a greater need than quarterback since it will be difficult for anyone to succeed behind such a weak offensive line.
Offensive tackles that could be available in the draft are Connor Williams, Orlando Brown, and Mike McGlinchey. Any of these three could develop into franchise left tackles.
The most highly touted running back since Adrian Peterson, Saquon Barkley, could also be available. This would give the Giants many incredible weapons on offense with Odell Beckham Jr, Evan Engram, and Sterling Sheppard already in place.
There is not a can’t miss quarterback in this draft. Josh Rosen and Sam Darnold have potential to be great, but both still have question marks.
If the Giants are not in love with either of them, they should trade out of the spot. They need to pick an impact player regardless of what position they draft.
There are options later in the draft as well.
The draft is deep at the quarterback position and potentially six will go in the first-round. A quarterback they like could fall to them in the second-round or they could trade up.
Manning is still an effective player and drafting a quarterback with the second pick would essentially make him a $20 million mentor.
The Giants could be contenders next year with Manning and a few additional weapons, so a rebuild is not completely necessary.
Is Davis Webb the Answer?
The Giants may actually have their quarterback of the future on the team.
Davis Webb, the Giants third-round draft pick last year, has received praise from many people in the Giants organization.
Star safety Landon Collins spoke against drafting Rosen or Darnold because he believes Webb is a future star. Collins told The Post his advice for new general manager Dave Gettlemen:
"“Don’t draft him. Don’t do it. Davis is gonna be really good in the league when it’s his time, I promise you.”"
Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie agrees with Collins’ sentiment that Webb should succeed Manning, which is high praise from two good teammates.
If Webb is actually good enough, this would be the simplest and most effective solution. The team could address other needs with the saved cap space and draft picks.
The Giants could go into next season with a competition between Webb and Manning with the end goal of transferring the job to Webb by the end of the season or the next.
Could the Giants bring in a veteran QB?
Another option, but also the least likely, would be to sign or trade for a veteran quarterback.
Manning’s large cap hit makes this path challenging, but it is not impossible.
The free agent quarterback class this year is very strong.
The top quarterbacks available are Kirk Cousins, who will likely sign the largest contract ever, and Alex Smith, who will likely be available since the Chiefs have Patrick Mahomes waiting to start.
Drew Brees and Jimmy Garoppolo are also both technically free agents, but neither will be let loose by their teams.
Then there is the Minnesota Vikings quarterback group of Case Keenum, Sam Bradford, and Teddy Bridgewater. All three are free agents this year.
Potential wild-card free agents are Aj McCarron, who is petitioning to become an unrestricted free agent, and Tyrod Taylor, who could be cut by the Buffalo Bills.
Signing Cousins or trading for Smith would be too costly unless the Giants freed up significant salary cap room. This would put the Giants in the market for second-tier options.
Keenum, Bridgewater, and McCarron, if he becomes a free agent, could fit into the Giants budget and future plans.
These three players have question marks but have enjoyed some NFL success. Any of them could prove to be a reliable quarterback solution for foreseeable future.
The Giants have many ways to address their quarterback situation either on the team, in free agency, or in the draft. The team could make a leap forward next year by trading out of the second pick and drafting an offensive lineman or running back.
Gettleman may not want to take that risk though.
All eyes are on the Giants as many teams would like the second pick to take Darnold or Rosen.