The Giants have apparently found Eli Manning‘s successor. The team has selected Duke quarterback Daniel Jones with the sixth-overall pick. Connor Hughes of The Athletic was first with the news (via Twitter).
The Giants had been connected to seemingly every quarterback prospect leading up to the draft. There were reports last week that the front office was focused on Ohio State signal-caller Dwayne Haskins, although there were persisting whispers that the interest was merely a smokescreen. The team was also reportedly eyeing Missouri’s Drew Lock. There was even talk that the Giants could bypass quarterbacks at No. 6 and No. 17, acquire a late first-rounder, and opt for West Virginia’s Will Grier or North Carolina State’s Ryan Finley. The Giants were also connected to Cardinals quarterback Josh Allen. Ultimately, Jones proved to be their guy.
Jones was a three-year starter at Duke, and he saw his draft stock improve after a solid 2018 campaign. The quarterback finished the season having completed 60.5% of his passes for 2,674 yards, 22 touchdowns, and nine interceptions in 2018. There was apparently conflicting opinions on Jones heading into the draft, with one scout referring to him as a “pedestrian talent” while another lauded his “fairly high ceiling.”
Either way, Jones might not be required to take over the Giants offense come the start of next season. After all, the team is still rostering Manning, with the veteran recently stating that he plans on playing through at least the 2020 season. In 2018, the 38-year-old raised his completion rate to a career-high 66% and his 7.5 yards-per-attempt average was considerably higher than it was in the previous two seasons. He also dropped his interceptions total (11) to the lowest its been during his 14 seasons a full-time starter.
Considering the draft capital the team just invested into the position, it isn’t unrealistic to alternatively envision Manning playing elsewhere next season. If the Giants decide they immediately want to pair Jones with reigning NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Saquon Barkley and former second-rounder Sterling Shepard, it may be in their best interest to shop Manning.
For what it’s worth, Jones has a connection to Manning via Duke coach David Cutcliff, who led both Eli and Peyton Manning in college. Jones also attended the Manning Passing Academy multiple times.
Almost as bad as raiders pick
…Wow.
Very strange to use such a high pick on Jones. Surely there was some trading down possible?
You’re spot on
Giants to Raiders: “hold my beer.”
The Giants must have thought that either the Broncos, Dolphins, or Redskins had Jones on the radar and therefor would be gone by the time 17 came around….everyone was clamoring for a QB pick….now everybody will sunday morning quarterback trashing the fact that the Giants actually did pick a QB….just not “their guy”.
You got to trust the system or root for another team man!
So you trade down a few spots and stock picks but to take this reach was bad…
I’m thinking about rooting for another team. After 30 years, Gettleman has ruined the Giants for me. “Trust the System”. He doesn’t know what his own system is.
Ruined? You realize that they have won two of their career 8 league championships in that time. That is over nearly 100 years, so nothing really has changed.
Hahahaha.
“Im not gonna reach for a QB” – Gettleman
I think they still could have found a way to get Jones. Take Allen at 6, then trade up from 17 to take Jones.
Why use another future pick to trade up when they could get 2 players they wanted with picks they had.
If he becomes the next franchise qb then it’s not a reach. And if he’s not it would have been a waste at 17 just as much as 6
True. I didn’t want him at all so. No argument here. I think they needed two defensive starters with 6 and 17.
I wanted a DL at 6 and DB at 17. Trade your 2nd and 3rd to Ari for Rosen if you have to have one now. But you are already starting Eli and completely rebooted you rebuild with the OBJ trade so why not try for next years QB class
Correction the post says “ Giants also we’re connected to Cardinals Quarterback Josh Allen….
Cardinals QB is Josh Rosen….. Josh Allen is the QB for the Bills
Gentleman sucks. Giants had better picks than the Redskins and the Redskins wiped the floor with Gittleman. What a clown he is.
Hey Gittleman Dave Brown wasn’t bad enough? You had to draft another QB from Duke? What a clown the Giants GM is
Dear god !! At least 5 more years of 5-11. I’m so tired of watching the Eagles and Cowboys kick our ass , now the redskins are gonna take their turn !!!
fyi Josh Allen on the Bills. Must have been a late nite
“Connor Hughes of the Atlantic was the first with the news”. Except for the several million people who watched it live. Seriously?
Can’t figure out this teams philosophy.They hate linebackers.Had their choice of a great group,but instead reached unnecessarily at QB.The last 2 LBs they picked with first round worked out pretty well(Lawrence Taylor and Carl Banks)Looks like another last place finish
Totally agree. They had a great edge rusher in Josh Allen fall right into their laps and passed. A team that is rebuilding their defense as its defense was one of the worst in the league. They have no pass rush, and traded Vernon so it’s even less now. And now tonight they have zero picks until 95 which is basically two full rounds. A lot of talent to be missed out on. I kept hearing how much draft capital they have. Not really, the bulk of it is/was in rounds 4-7. And two of those picks are now gone by taking the corner at 30.
Daniel Jones will be a Pro Bowl-caliber QB for years.
You spelled Arena Bowl-caliber QB wrong…