2018 NFL Draft: New York Giants aren’t opposed to taking RB at No. 2

COLUMBUS, OH - OCTOBER 28: Saquon Barkley #26 of the Penn State Nittany Lions returns the opening kick off 97-yards for a touchdown in the first quarter against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium on October 28, 2017 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH - OCTOBER 28: Saquon Barkley #26 of the Penn State Nittany Lions returns the opening kick off 97-yards for a touchdown in the first quarter against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium on October 28, 2017 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images) /
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The New York Giants have the No. 2 overall selection in the 2018 NFL Draft. According to owner John Mara, Saquon Barkley is in play.


It’s rare that the No. 2 overall selection in an NFL Draft can be referred to as such, but in 2018, it will be a swing pick. The New York Giants are in possession of said choice, and with less than a month remaining until the annual selection process, no one quite knows what they’re going to do.

As the Giants weigh their options, it’s been made unequivocally clear that the organization isn’t opposed to the idea of going against the grain.

New York’s options are generally believed to be as open as four positions: Quarterback, running back, offensive line, and defensive end. There could be other targets, but the raging debate is about whether or not a running back would be worth selecting at No. 2 overall.

According to Ryan Dunleavy of NJ Advance Media, Giants owner John Mara isn’t entirely opposed to drafting a running back that early.

"“I certainly don’t think it’s too high to take a running back,” Mara said Sunday at the NFL Annual Meeting, “and, yeah, I think we could use some additional talent.”"

In other words: Saquon Barkley may not be a guaranteed selection, but he’s certainly an option that the Giants will consider.

Even in a class with considerable depth at the position, Barkley is the No. 1 running back on the board by a country mile. In many eyes, he’s the best pure talent in the 2018 NFL Draft—a truth that would normally lead to being the No. 1 overall prospect.

Due to the nature of his position in the modern NFL, however, it’s believed by many that Barkley could fall outside of the top five.

The Giants certainly understand the skepticism, but the idea of selecting a generational talent who has garnered Barry Sanders comparisons appeals to Mara.

Other options at No. 2 include the likes of Bradley Chubb, Quenton Nelson, and whichever quarterbacks aren’t selected at No. 1. A recent report indicates that the Cleveland Browns are locked in on Sam Darnold with the top pick, which would inevitably influence the Giants’ thinking.

The question is: Will New York be the team that takes a chance on one of the most coveted talents in the history of the NFL Draft?

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In the words of owner John Mara, No. 2 isn’t too high for the New York Giants to select a running back.