Giants Stay Put Get Saquon Barkley

The New York Giants and David Gettleman had a plan. They wanted to go out and get a player who has Hall of Fame potential, and they did just that taking running back Saquon Barkley with the number two pick in the NFL Draft.

While some thought the Giants should have taken a quarterback in this spot, Gettleman and head coach Pat Shurmur were not enamored with this quarterback class. With Eli Manning still with something to prove at age 37, and an unproven talken in Davis Webb, the Giants didn't feel there was a rush to draft a quarterback this high right now. Who can blame them? Manning is a Hall of Famer. He is surrounded by talent on a team that can still win now. Why not see if he can give this team two more solid years under center before addressing this position.

By adding Barkley, the Giants give Manning the dynamic runner that he has never had behind him. Sure the Giants had Tiki Barber at the beginning of Manning's career. And they had the two-headed monster of Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw during their Super Bowl runs in 2007 and 2011, but the fact is the Giants have been one of the league's worst rushing teams in the NFL since that Super Bowl XLVI. That was six years ago.

Barkley is an explosive runner. At 6-0, 234, Barkley is a combination of physical power and finesse. He ran for 3,843 yards in three years at Penn State, and proved to be a versatile pass catcher out of the backfield. He's a dynamic player, and a game changer the Giants desperately needed.

With Barkley combining his talents with Odell Beckham Jr. and Evan Engram, the Giants could have one of the most explosive offenses in the league this year. Of course, the Giants need to have better line play this year to protect Manning, and create lanes for Barkley to run through. Adding Nate Solder was a good first step.

The Giants are moving in the right direction with a competitive retooling. 

Pick Grade: A