I know a lot of my fellow New York Giants fans are concerned about the current QB situation, with long-time starter and two-time Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning nearing the end of his career. The concern is compounded by the fact that this 2019 NFL Draft QB class may be the worst one we’ve seen since the 2013 class, which was headlined by EJ Manuel, Geno Smith, and Mike Glennon. For the record, I don’t think this class is 2013 bad, it just looks worse than it is because it’s coming the year after we saw 5 first round QBs taken in 2018. But, I personally think this draft is a best-case draft for the Giants, because it contains several intriguing developmental options at QB, which could allow Manning to finish out his career as a starter before passing the torch. Here are those options:
First, I want to talk about the four QBs associated with the first round: Ohio State’s Dwayne Haskins, Oklahoma’s Kyler Murray, Missouri’s Drew Lock, and Duke’s Daniel Jones. Before I talk about those guys, it’s interesting to note that the last two QBs taken by the Giants in the first round of a NFL draft were Phil Simms (1979) and Philip Rivers (2004) (who, as you probably know, was promptly traded to the then-San Diego Chargers for Eli Manning). Why do I bring that up? When the Giants draft a QB in the first round, they KNOW that QB will be their guy (or will be the guy to TRADE for their guy) (Simms and Manning started 3 of the Giants’ 4 Super Bowl victories). Nobody seems to think any of the 2019 first-round caliber QBs are for sure THE guys for a franchise.
I don’t like Dwayne Haskins. The major knock against Haskins is that he gets nervous and forces bad throws when his protection breaks down, which happens a lot with the Giants’ offensive line. Therefore, he is not a good fit.
I read an article about Kyler Murray that said he is a bad fit for the Giants because New York requires a QB that is dedicated to the team 24/7, which Murray would, theoretically, not be because he is also considering playing baseball (I tried to find the article to link it in here but could not, so sorry guys. Here’s a similar one, though). I think that’s a little ridiculous, but I don’t think the Giants should take him. Murray is a fantastic player and I think if he does choose football, he will be a great QB in the right system. I don’t think Pat Shurmur‘s system is that system. Shurmur traditionally works with taller, pocket passer type QBs. Here are the QBs who have started the most games for him with his 5 NFL teams since he became an offensive coordinator for the first time: Sam Bradford, Rams and Vikings; Brandon Weeden, Browns; Nick Foles, Eagles; Eli Manning, Giants. Pretty sure nobody would describe any of those guys as dual-threat, and Murray is definitely dual-threat. That’s not to say Shurmur couldn’t come up with a scheme for Murray, it just seems like Shurmur would prefer to stick to the scheme his team has spent the past year learning.
I like Drew Lock. He may be the most poised QB in the draft, and he showed that at the Senior Bowl. By the way, I know a lot of people ask what the heck ‘poise’ means when it comes to QBs. For me, it’s a guy who stands in the pocket and trusts his blockers to hold up, which allows him to properly read the defense and make good, accurate throws, even if he gets hit while doing so. IF the Giants do take a QB in the 1st round of the 2019 NFL Draft, I think it will be Drew Lock.
Daniel Jones is interesting. He’s learned under the tutelage of Coach David Cutcliffe, who has coached both Eli and Peyton Manning in the past. Jones has also been to the Manning Passing Academy on multiple occasions, so there is definitely a connection between Manning and Jones that could both aid Jones’ development if the Giants do draft him, as well as make Manning’s exit more…dignified, I guess. My problem with Jones is three-fold: 1) He’s projected too high. I view him as more of a Day 2 QB (his deep throws in the Senior Bowl tell that story), while multiple mock draft sites think he’ll be a Day 1 QB. 2) Jones is projected to be a later Day 1 pick, so the Giants would have to figure out a trade to get him because there is NO way they reach for him at 6 overall. 3) Even if the Giants do find a way to trade into the later part of Round 1 to draft him, they would still be reaching for him, because again, I don’t think he’s a Day 1 QB. And that is not a move in the Giants’ DNA, based on their aforementioned history of drafting QBs in the 1st round.
Here are a few QB prospects outside of the first round that I have an eye on:
- Brett Rypien– I admit, Rypien doesn’t have any ties to the Giants, I’m just including him in here because I’m a Boise State fan. In fact, he has ties to the Washington Redskins, as he is the nephew of Redskins Super Bowl winning QB Mark Rypien, which makes him an interesting name to watch during the draft because the Redskins will likely be looking for a QB, too, with the news that Alex Smith is expected to miss all of next season. Nevertheless, I think he’s underrated. He was a four-year starter for the Broncos, who hadn’t had a four-year starter at QB since Kellen Moore (the winningest QB in college football history). Speaking of Moore, Rypien broke most of his high school passing records in the state of Washington. Speaking of breaking records, Rypien has the most career passing yards in Mountain West Conference history. Of all the QBs at the 2019 East-West Shrine Game, Rypien was THE guy. He made several beautiful throws, including one for a TD on the opening drive of the game. The NFL Network broadcast crew repeatedly said the coaches had glowing reviews of Rypien, who reportedly came in and established himself as the Alpha immediately during Shrine Game practices. That is something I believe the Giants would love to have to help reel in the antics of WR Odell Beckham Jr. Manning is a leader, but he is a reserved leader, not an Alpha.
- Kyle Shurmur– Three-year starter who broke multiple passing records at Vanderbilt set by Jay Culter. Son of Giants head coach Pat Shurmur, and the Giants are certainly a family organization.
- Trace McSorley– Three-year starter who played with current Giants RB Saquon Barkley at Penn State. He and Barkley have a great relationship, so it’s possible the Giants take the shot to see if they grow together in the NFL. I think McSorley is the best emotional leader in this draft class, as he was the heart and soul of his Penn State team. His teammates seemed legitimately upset that couldn’t send him out with a win at the Citrus Bowl this season. (For the record, I think McSorley is underrated because he was hindered in college by coach James Franklin‘s abysmal play-calling.)
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