Best options for New York Giants in the NFL Draft
The New York Giants hold the No. 2 selection in the 2018 NFL Draft and have a several different needs they can address with this pick.
It is not every day you get the No. 2 pick in the NFL Draft. That means it’s vital for the New York Giants to make the right decision. It is not easy to make the right choice with so many great options available.
Realistically, the G-Men are not your typical 3-13 team. Despite a terrible season in 2017, the Giants have a lot of talented players on the roster. They also have glaring needs. For one, quarterback Eli Manning is 37-years old and has two seasons left on his contract. In addition, we are not sure how the Giants feel about sophomore back-up Davis Webb. It’s possible Big Blue can look to draft the successor to Eli Manning. This draft is certainly filled with big name quarterbacks.
The Giants have a clear need at running back. Penn State’s Saquon Barkley is one of the best draft prospects we have ever seen. Defensive end is another position that is a need for the Giants, especially after the Jason Pierre-Paul trade. The Giants also have a glaring need on the offensive line, even after signing left tackle Nate Solder.
Big Blue also has the option to trade back and collect picks. If they feel they want the first pick of all the quarterbacks – they can try to trade up. All these possibilities remain open for the Giants in the upcoming draft.
Assuming Big Blue remains at No. 2, here are the best players that they can draft.
Drafting a Quarterback
The NFL Draft will be filled with potential franchise quarterbacks, and its possible the Giants take Manning’s successor. The Giants can potentially take Sam Darnold from USC, Josh Allen from Wyoming, Josh Rosen from UCLA or Baker Mayfield from Oklahoma. If they trade back into the first-round, it is possible they take Lamar Jackson from Louisville.
New York Giants
The Cleveland Browns No. 1 overall selection will determine which quarterback the Giants take. The Browns can also force the G-Men to look at another position. The team has been linked to Darnold and Allen mostly of late. There also maybe interest in Mayfield and Rosen going to the G-Men.
Darnold is considered the most complete quarterback in this draft. Allen is considered the gunslinger with the biggest arm. Allen’s 56 percentage completion rate at wyoming remains a concern, but his throwing arm is dynamic. Rosen is considered the most NFL-ready quarterback of the group. Finally, Mayfield is the reigning Heisman Trophy winner – coming off a season when he had 4,627 passing yards, 43 touchdowns and just six interceptions. He completed 70 percent of his passes two seasons in a row.
He does have to answer questions about maturity and is considered “under-sized”, but that tag has not stopped Drew Brees or Russell Wilson.
Finally, if the Giants did trade back it’s possible they can go with Jackson, who is considered the wild card of the group. The former Heisman Trophy winner has a big arm and is the most athletic player at the position.
According to Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated, Giants management likes two quarterbacks and Saquon Barkley the most and will likely keep the pick.
"“What the Giants do will dictate a lot. I’ve heard that Giants GM Dave Gettleman really likes Darnold. I’ve heard the coaches like Allen. I’ve heard everyone there likes Penn State running back Saquon Barkley. And I know Gettleman has no history of trading down.”"
Filling Other Needs
If the Giants do not go with one of the franchise quarterbacks, it is most likely they go with Penn States star running back Saquon Barkley. Barkley is regarded as the best player of the draft by many. He dominated for Penn State with 1,271 yards, 18 touchdowns, 54 receptions and three receiving touchdowns. He also returned two kickoffs for touchdowns. Barkley was recently spotted wearing a Giants sweatshirt and has hinted at liking the idea of being with the team. Barkley has drawn comparisons to Adrian Peterson, Ezekiel Elliott and Barry Sanders.
Must Read: New York Giants: Top 15 first-round draft picks all-time
According to the New York Post, Dave Gettleman views Barkley as the near perfect prospect and they got some insight from someone close to the Giants.
"“I thought all along [Barkley] is the guy Dave wants. And he might get him, if Cleveland is dumb enough not to take him at No. 1.”"
The other options if the Giants do not go quarterback or running back is Notre Dame star guard Quenton Nelson. Despite the addition of Nate Solder at left tackle, the offensive line could use help. Nelson may be the safest player in the NFL Draft. He would be helping the offense as a whole and Eli Manning. Dave Gettleman loves his “hog mollies”, and Nelson fits that bill. Finally, it is possible the Giants can go with Bradley Chubb the star defensive end from NC State. Chubb would help improve the Giants defensive line. He would immediately help the pass rush and fill the hole of Jason Pierre-Paul who was traded this off season.
The New York Giants have plenty of options at No. 2. It is possible they won’t have the final decision until the Browns make their selection. In that respect, Big Blue has a big decision to make. Their is no way to tell what information is true and what is false. It may very well be Sam Darnold, Josh Allen, Saquon Barkley or someone else mentioned earlier.
The NFL Draft can’t come soon enough.