Whatever Big Blue decides to do, I have confidence that the Giants will make the right call.
Expectations for 2017 were riding high after the New York Giants finished 2016 at 11-5. Hopes were further buoyed when the team signed big-name free agents in the off-season, including former Jets’ defensive tackle Damon ‘Snacks’ Harrison and former Dolphins’ defensive tackle Olivier Vernon. The team also inked 6-time Pro Bowl receiver Brandon Marshall to a two-year deal.
Giants fans and NFL analysts were talking about the Giants overtaking the Cowboys in the NFC East title.
But 11-5 turned into 3-13 and that devolution cost Head Coach Ben McAdoo his job.
The front office has now turned to Pat Shurmur to put Humpty Dumpty back on the wall. And making “the right choice” in the upcoming NFL Draft is one (of many) big decisions facing Shurmer and the Giants’ front office. New York will pick second overall.
I think three players have the potential to help the Giants immediately.
Josh Rosen (photo, Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
Josh Rosen, QB, UCLA: According to many current NFL mock drafts, the Giants will pick Josh Rosen. Drafting a quarterback is a safe decision because Eli Manning, 37, is several years removed from his prime and the Giants will need to replace him sooner rather than later. Although Rosen has a reputation of being cocky and stubborn–sometimes even uncoachable–he has a fundamentally sound throwing motion. A pocket passer, Rosen has NFL starter’s ability to drop back, read the defense, extend the play, and make a smart pass. And while he has solid footwork in the pocket, Rosene isn’t a dual-threat quarterback like Russell Wilson or Cam Newton. Still, though, he’s capable of running for short gains when needed. If Rosen is open to criticism and teaching, he could end up being a high-end starter. He has time to grow into that status, too. He wouldn’t be called on until 2019 or later.
USC’s Sam Darnold (photo, NJ.com)
Sam Darnold, QB, USC: What separates Sam Darnold from Josh Rosen? While some analysts believe Darnold isn’t as NFL-ready, they also believe that Darnold could have greater long-term upside because of his big-play ability. But by no means did Darnold have a spectacular 2017. He threw 13 picks and fumbled 11 times in 14 games, and had the frustrating tendency of forcing plays into tight coverage. But Darnold can be electric, too, making brilliant, tight, highlight-esque throws on the run. If he gets the right coaching and fine-tunes his unorthodox delivery, Darnold has the potential of being the NFL’s next Tony Romo or even the next Andrew Luck. On the other hand, don’t rule out the possibility of Darnold being a low-end starter or even a backup. Why? He has a history of not rising to expectations.
Sequon Barkley (photo, Daily Collegian)
Sequon Barkley, RB, Penn St.: Barkley is my personal favorite, especially because the Giants may decide to go with backup QB Davis Webb as Eli’s successor. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and Landon Collins, along with other Giants’ veterans, have commented publicly that they believe Webb has the making of being the next Eli Manning. If the Giants don’t draft a QB this year or decide to wait until next year’s draft, then Barkley is a very viable option. ESPN analyst Booger McFarland (among others) have called him “the best running back since Barry Sanders.” Like Sanders, Barkley has the ability to make sharp, jump cuts along with unpredictable spin moves to keep defenders off balance. Also like Sanders, Barkley is able to pick productive running lanes. Barkley is better than Sanders in the passing game (at PSU 102 catches for nearly 1200 receiving yards). The one knock against Barkley is that can become “too cute” and end up being inefficient. He’ll need to adjust to quicker defenders in the pros, and he’ll also need to combine speed, elusiveness, and physicality to plow north/south. All in all, though, I have no doubt that Barkley would thrive in the Giants’ pass-happy offense.
