Future of Jets and Giants at Stake in Tonight's NFL Draft
The future of New York City's two football teams is on the line tonight. For months speculation has run rampant as to whom the Giants and Jets will pick with the second and third overall picks in tonight's NFL Draft.
Of course a lot will be determined by what the Cleveland Browns decide to do with the first pick. Cleveland has been linked to USC quarterback Sam Darnold for quiet a while. It would be a good pick for them, since Darnold posses the kind of pose and accuracy needed to compete in the AFC North. However, this is the Browns we are talking about. And of course in Cleveland Browns fashion rumors are running rampant that they could draft Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield instead. If that happens it will shake up the draft big time, meaning the Giants and Jets would have the top three quarterbacks (Darnold, Josh Allen and Josh Rosen) at their disposal.
Who the Giants will likely pick: If Darnold goes first to the the Browns, the Giants will probably draft Penn State running back Saquon Barkley. Barkley has the potential to be a game changer for the Giants, who have not had a top flight running back since Tiki Barber was in town. The Giants running attack has been one of the worst in the NFL the past few seasons, and adding Barkley would take tremendous pressure off Eli Manning. In addition, Barkley proved to be both a solid downhill runner and an excellent receiver out of the backfield. Putting him with a healthy Odell Beckham Jr. and Evan Engram gives Eli plenty of weapons to throw to.
Who the Giants Should draft: Trade down. As talented as Barkley is, this draft is chuck full of running backs. The Giants have other needs along the offensive and defensive lines. They could trade the pick to a quarterback needy team like Buffalo and get a kings ransom.
What about the quarterback? Reports have been that the Giants are not enamored with this quarterback class. David Gettleman keeps harping that a pick at number two needs to be a Hall of Fame-caliber player, and the Giants are lukewarm to this collection of QBs. If Darnold falls to them, it might get interesting, as he is the only guy they would consider drafting this high at the position.
Who will the Jets likely pick: If the Baker Mayfield to Cleveland rumors are just a smokescreen, the Jets will have Mayfield all to themselves at three, and will likely draft him. Even though Mayfield was one of the more accurate quarterabacks in college, he brings a lot of baggage to the table. He really isn't worth picking up this high.
Mayfield's height and small physic are a big question mark. You can tell me about the success of Drew Brees and Russell Wilson all you want, there are only so many small quarterbacks who succeed in the NFL. In addition, Mayfield had a horrible Senior Bowl when he was asked to throw in tight windows while running a NFL offense. That is concerning. Moreover, he has a bad reputation both on and off the field, which includes an arrest. He is a big gamble, and one that could and will likely cost Mike Maccagnan and Todd Bowles their jobs.
Who the Jets should draft: Josh Rosen. While Rosen too has questions about his behavior, namely his attitude, which some think is standoffish, he is a safer bet this high. Rosen has all the measurables and talent a team looks for a in a quarterback. A lot of people like his ability to grasp offensive concepts quickly, and he has a good ability to hit his receivers in tight spots. He's the most NFL ready of the group.
Don't Be Shocked if: The Jets draft either Sam Darnold if he slips by the Giants, or Josh Allen because of Maccagnan's admiration for big quarterbacks with big arms.
Of course a lot will be determined by what the Cleveland Browns decide to do with the first pick. Cleveland has been linked to USC quarterback Sam Darnold for quiet a while. It would be a good pick for them, since Darnold posses the kind of pose and accuracy needed to compete in the AFC North. However, this is the Browns we are talking about. And of course in Cleveland Browns fashion rumors are running rampant that they could draft Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield instead. If that happens it will shake up the draft big time, meaning the Giants and Jets would have the top three quarterbacks (Darnold, Josh Allen and Josh Rosen) at their disposal.
Who the Giants will likely pick: If Darnold goes first to the the Browns, the Giants will probably draft Penn State running back Saquon Barkley. Barkley has the potential to be a game changer for the Giants, who have not had a top flight running back since Tiki Barber was in town. The Giants running attack has been one of the worst in the NFL the past few seasons, and adding Barkley would take tremendous pressure off Eli Manning. In addition, Barkley proved to be both a solid downhill runner and an excellent receiver out of the backfield. Putting him with a healthy Odell Beckham Jr. and Evan Engram gives Eli plenty of weapons to throw to.Who the Giants Should draft: Trade down. As talented as Barkley is, this draft is chuck full of running backs. The Giants have other needs along the offensive and defensive lines. They could trade the pick to a quarterback needy team like Buffalo and get a kings ransom.
What about the quarterback? Reports have been that the Giants are not enamored with this quarterback class. David Gettleman keeps harping that a pick at number two needs to be a Hall of Fame-caliber player, and the Giants are lukewarm to this collection of QBs. If Darnold falls to them, it might get interesting, as he is the only guy they would consider drafting this high at the position.
Who will the Jets likely pick: If the Baker Mayfield to Cleveland rumors are just a smokescreen, the Jets will have Mayfield all to themselves at three, and will likely draft him. Even though Mayfield was one of the more accurate quarterabacks in college, he brings a lot of baggage to the table. He really isn't worth picking up this high.
Mayfield's height and small physic are a big question mark. You can tell me about the success of Drew Brees and Russell Wilson all you want, there are only so many small quarterbacks who succeed in the NFL. In addition, Mayfield had a horrible Senior Bowl when he was asked to throw in tight windows while running a NFL offense. That is concerning. Moreover, he has a bad reputation both on and off the field, which includes an arrest. He is a big gamble, and one that could and will likely cost Mike Maccagnan and Todd Bowles their jobs.Who the Jets should draft: Josh Rosen. While Rosen too has questions about his behavior, namely his attitude, which some think is standoffish, he is a safer bet this high. Rosen has all the measurables and talent a team looks for a in a quarterback. A lot of people like his ability to grasp offensive concepts quickly, and he has a good ability to hit his receivers in tight spots. He's the most NFL ready of the group.
Don't Be Shocked if: The Jets draft either Sam Darnold if he slips by the Giants, or Josh Allen because of Maccagnan's admiration for big quarterbacks with big arms.
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