The New York Giants possess the No. 2 overall selection in the 2018 NFL Draft. One report implies that Saquon Barkley could be the pick.
There’s a growing belief that the Cleveland Browns will select a quarterback at No. 1 overall in the 2018 NFL Draft. It’s certainly a fair expectation for an organization that hasn’t been able to stabilize the quarterback position since it returned to the league in 1999.
While No. 1 appears to be set in stone, no one seems to know what the New York Giants will do just one pick later at No. 2 overall.
New York has options at No. 2, but it appears as though it will come down to a list that’s decreasing in size. The options appear to be running back Saquon Barkley, defensive end Bradley Chubb, offensive lineman Quenton Nelson, and a quarterback.
According to Paul Schwartz of The New York Post, the Giants view Barkley as a nearly perfect prospect—one who could be even better than Dallas Cowboys star Ezekiel Elliott.
"The Giants view Saquon Barkley as a near-perfect prospect. They think he’s a better player than Ezekiel Elliott, who went No. 4 to the Cowboys in 2016."
The upside comparisons for Barkley have been legendary, which makes this statement one that could easily be conceived as fair and within reason.
The Giants are in a position of power in the sense that the talent level on the roster is beyond solid. The offense is flush with high-quality receiving options and a solid left tackle, and the defense is just one season removed from displaying top-five form.
Thus, while some might believe that selecting a running back at No. 2 overall would be a reach, the Giants could easily justify the decision.
The need for a franchise quarterback is legitimate, but the Giants could postpone that pursuit until a later round and instead select the best player available at No. 2.
Amongst the 2018 NFL Draft prospects, Barkley is the best runner and pass-catcher at running back. Thus, with all due respect to the other prospects on the board, that creates clear separation from what’s a truly strong class of prospects at the position.
In theory, the Gants could pair Barkley with wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. and create an offense with two All-Pro level talents at the skill positions.
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The question is: Will the New York Giants go through with selecting the player whom many believe to be the best prospect in the 2018 NFL Draft?