The New York Giants will enter the April 26 in possession of the No. 2 overall selection in the 2018 NFL Draft. If not a quarterback, then who should New York consider?
The New York Giants are in an enviable position as the 2018 NFL Draft approaches. Having the No. 1 overall selection would be preferable, but at No. 2, the Giants will still have an opportunity to alter the trajectory of the organization.
While most expect New York to find its quarterback of the future at No. 2 overall, a question beckons: What if the franchise follows a different path?
Reliable quarterback play is nothing short of essential, but the current class of field generals has been questioned on a rather consistent basis. There are certainly promising players, but there’s also a realistic possibility that the Giants won’t see a franchise-level quarterback in this class.
It may also be the case that New York would prefer to wait until the second round to pursue a quarterback, instead utilizing the No. 2 pick to build elsewhere.
For a team in the Giants’ position, there aren’t many areas in which Dave Gettleman can claim to see stability. Ben McAdoo lost the locker room, but one can’t expect the poor play and damaged egos to revert to the norm off of blind hope alone.
The question is: Which 2018 NFL Draft prospects should the New York Knicks target if they opt against selecting a quarterback at No. 2 overall?
5. Mike McGlinchey, Notre Dame Fighting Irish
The New York Giants would need to trade down to justify this pick, but it’s one that the organization should give serious thought to making. The Giants have incomparable instability at offensive tackle, and nothing would help more than adding a short-term and long-term fix.
Mike McGlinchey may not have the upside of Connor Williams or Orlando Brown, but he’s a grinder and a fundamentally polished player who could immediately contribute.
I’m not one to overlook upside, but the Giants have tried far too many times to make a splash. This time around, New York should look to add a sturdy offensive lineman who can do their job at the level expected of them.
It may not be the most glamorous of ideas, but simply having an offensive tackle who isn’t routinely blowing their assignments would be a massive upgrade.
McGlinchey isn’t an elite athlete, but he has solid footwork, great size, and a strong stance in pass protection. It’s possible that he may end up on the right side of the line, but if New York trades down, it can live with that possibility.
McGlinchey is unlikely to be an option for the Giants at No. 2 overall, but he should be a player whom the organization is aware of this coming April.
4. Minkah Fitzpatrick, Alabama Crimson Tide
The Alabama Crimson Tide have a history of producing high-level defensive backs. The New York Giants know that as well as just about any team in the NFL, as safety Landon Collins has emerged as one of the faces of the franchise.
New York could strike gold once again in 2018 by selecting the best and most versatile defensive back in this draft class: Crimson Tide star Minkah Fitzpatrick.
Fitzpatrick has all of the tools to be a shutdown corner, and the versatility to shift over to safety. The defensive backfield isn’t necessarily a weakness for the Giants, but it’s become something of a question mark due to Eli Apple’s locker room issues and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie’s age and contract.
Fitzpatrick can either step in as a legitimate No. 1 corner or help form a Legion of Boom situation with Collins as a rangy safety who can make plays on the ball—see: four pick-sixes.
Beyond the field, Fitzpatrick has an all but legendary passion for the game. He impressed Nick Saban so much that he even managed to start 10 games as a freshman, which is the ultimate testament to just how dynamic and committed he truly is.
Fitzpatrick isn’t just a player who can help the Giants improve on defense; he could conceivably help New York change its fractured culture
3. Bradley Chubb, North Carolina State Wolfpack
The New York Giants have invested significant money in defensive ends Jason Pierre-Paul and Olivier Vernon. If the Philadelphia Eagles have taught the NFL anything, however, it’s that depth in the pass rush can lead to a championship.
Bradley Chubb is the best edge rusher in this draft class, and New York is quietly in need of a pass-rushing specialist who can improve its weakened corps.
New York shockingly ranked No. 29 in the NFL in sacks during the 2017 regular season. It sacked opposing quarterbacks just 27.0 times, which was a full 8.0 fewer than the 35.0 it managed to record during the 2016 campaign.
Both Pierre-Paul and Vernon are solid players, but neither was exactly elite as far as getting to the quarterback was concerned in 2018.
There are other factors at play, of course, but one can’t help but look at what Philadelphia did to win its first Super Bowl. It not only recorded 38.0 sacks during the regular season, but had a deep and versatile group of linemen who excelled at defending the run.
Given James Bettcher’s history of running a 3-4 defense, Chubb’s scheme versatility should be of great appeal to the Giants.
That and the fact he recorded 44 tackles for loss and 20.0 sacks over the past two seasons.
2. Quenton Nelson, Notre Dame Fighting Irish
This selection would likely make more sense if the New York Giants were to trade down at the 2018 NFL Draft. The reality here, however, is that New York has no bigger weakness than that of an absolutely atrocious offensive line.
There are options at multiple positions, but the Giants desperately need to improve what may just be the worst offensive line in the NFL.
Injuries have hurt New York’s offensive line in recent years, but the overall level of execution has been consistently poor—regardless of who has been active. By drafting Quenton Nelson, the Giants would be acquiring a legitimate building block.
Compared by many to four-time All-Pro guard Zack Martin, Nelson could be a legitimate anchor for a unit that needs to become a strength again.
With Nelson contributing to the battle at the line of scrimmage, the Giants may be able to keep Eli Manning upright in 2018. New York would also give his potential heir apparent more time in the pocket, which will be a crucial point of emphasis moving forward.
Trading down is an option, but regardless of where the Giants end up on draft day, Nelson should be a player whom the front office scouts intently.
1. Saquon Barkley, Penn State Nittany Lions
The New York Giants have one of the most dynamic playmakers in NFL history in wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. That inevitably puts New York in a position to hurt every defense it plays, but it’s been unable to capitalize on that undeniable strength.
Thus, if the opportunity presents itself to select a generational talent, the Giants should at least consider the possibility of pairing Beckham with Saquon Barkley.
Beckham changed the culture when he arrived in New York. Not only did he provide elite production as a wide receiver, but he excelled in the return game and hid many of Eli Manning’s flaws with his unrivaled—and quietly clutch—playmaking ability.
Barkley has the potential to take the offense to the next level as a do-it-all running back who has garnered comparisons to some of the best players in the NFL.
Barkley ran for 3,843 yards and 43 touchdowns during his three-year college career, and he did it both between and outside the tackles. He also amassed 1,034 receiving yards between his sophomore and junior seasons, displaying an ability to make plays out of the backfield and line up in the slot.
Throw in his ability to be featured in the return game, and Barkley would give the Giants a second elite playmaker—quite the foundation for a burgeoning offense.
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With Saquon Barkley and Odell Beckham, the New York Giants would essentially provide Eli Manning with the type of weapons that Ben Roethlisberger has been equipped with in Pittsburgh.