Giants Likely To Add Developmental QB

Giants starting quarterback Eli Manning is now 36 years old and coming off one of the worst seasons of his 13-year career, two factors which will likely press New York into acquiring a developmental quarterback during the offseason, as general manager Jerry Reese told reporters, including Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com and Ralph Vacchiano of SNY“We always think about every position. But Eli is 36, and we have started to think about who is the next quarterback, and who is in line,” Reese said on Monday. “So we will look into that as we move into the offseason.”Ben McAdoo/Jerry Reese (Featured)

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Manning, who is signed thorough the 2019 campaign with cap charges around $20MM in each of the next three seasons, is fresh off a disappointing season in which he posted a Total Quarterback Rating of just 52.2, his worst mark since 2013. The Giants still posted an 11-5 record, but that was largely on the strength of their No. 2 DVOA defense, as opposed to the club’s offense, which ranked just 22nd. Still, Reese and the rest of the front office aren’t aiming to replace Manning immediately.

“I don’t think (36) is ancient for a quarterback,” Reese said. “I think he is probably on the back nine, but I don’t think that is ancient for a quarterback, and he is taking care of himself really well, and I thought he finished the season strong.”

The 2017 draft doesn’t offer a “sure-thing” option at quarterback, but the class is chock full of signal-callers who could be selected in the mid rounds with an eye toward development. While Mitch Trubisky, Deshaun Watson, and DeShone Kizer figure to be drafted on Day 1, CBSSports.com’s Big Board lists Brad Kaaya, Pat Mahomes, Nathan Peterman, Davis Webb, and Jerod Evans as candidate to be selected on Days 2 and 3.

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