New York Giants: Post-Combine draft targets
By David Ball
With the NFL Scouting Combine over, the New York Giants likely have a better idea of who they want to draft with the second overall pick.
The New York Giants have a great draft slot with a lot of potential draft choices. There are quality players at a variety of positions. They can draft anyone they desire, except for the player the Cleveland Browns select with the first pick.
The G-Men could also trade down, which would open up a wider selection of positions to draft based on value. They would likely only trade back if they have an offer they can’t refuse, there isn’t one player they really like, or they want a player who will be drafted later.
They would not trade back if they were planning on selecting a quarterback because the Broncos and Jets are sitting at No. 5 and No. 6 respectively. Both of those teams would love to draft a top quarterback.
If the Giants are confident in Eli Manning and Davis Webb for the foreseeable future, they can go many different ways with this pick.
Options for No. 2 Pick
Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State
Barkley had a historically dominant combine performance. Before the combine, he was likely a top five pick, but now, there is no way he gets past the third pick. The Browns could even take him with the first overall pick.
On the Giants, he could transform their offense and take pressure off Manning. No one can argue with his numbers or combine performance. The only issue with Barkley is that he is a running back.
The value of running backs is usually not enough to warrant a top two selection, regardless of their skill. Barkley could be a generational player, but a running back doesn’t win games alone. While he would greatly improve the Giants, they may decide to draft a player at a more important position.
Bradley Chubb, DE, N.C. State
Chubb had a good combine performance as well. He can make plays and transform any defense. Chubb is a special player who has the potential to be a perennial Pro Bowler. He will likely be a top four pick, depending on how many quarterbacks are taken.
Chubb could revitalize the Giants defense. Placing Chubb in a rotation with Olivier Vernon and Jason Pierre-Paul would create a fearsome pass rushing trio. The Giants won two Super Bowls because of their defensive lines, so Chubb could be an attractive pick.
Josh Rosen, QB, UCLA
Rosen is a very polished passer and is the most NFL ready quarterback in this draft class, via ESPN’s Todd McShay. There are questions surrounding his ability to lead and his arrogance though. Aaron Rodgers is known for being arrogant as well, and despite that, he is one of the games best players.
Rosen can be a good NFL quarterback, he just needs to get teammates to buy into him. Rosen could potentially be an immediate starter for the Giants. With Manning still around, that likely wouldn’t happen right away.
Rosen is an attractive option for the Giants, but it depends on how much the team likes him compared to other quarterbacks.
Sam Darnold, QB, USC
Darnold was commonly put as the first overall pick in mock drafts before the combine. Now, there seems to be more controversy in speculation. Barkley and Allen both had strong showings at the combine and are in the mix to be the top pick in the draft.
If Darnold falls to the Giants, they may take the former USC star. He is extremely talented and could be their next franchise quarterback.
His leadership and character are some of his strongest qualities. Darnold will be selected early in the draft, but as with all the quarterbacks, it depends how much the Giants like him. They will have options no matter who the Browns take first.
Josh Allen, QB, Wyoming
Allen is a more polarizing quarterback option, but he has risen up draft boards recently. After a strong combine performance, he is considered the favorite to be the first pick by many. Allen is raw but has the size and skill teams want.
He may take time to develop, but he has incredible arm strength. Experts compare him to Carson Wentz, which is high praise.
"“Physically, what I would tell you, Allen’s got a better arm and he’s a better athlete, believe it or not,” said NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock."
Allen, along with Darnold and Rosen, is an attractive quarterback option.
Next: The New York Giants should make more trades
If the Giants are looking for a quarterback, they will likely select one of these three quarterbacks. Dave Gettleman needs to fall in love with a quarterback to draft one this high though. Otherwise, the Giants can take Barkley, Chubb, or trade back.