2019 nfl draft

New York Giants: Dwayne Haskins Performs During On-Field Workouts At The Combine

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On Saturday, the quarterbacks, tight ends, and wide receivers participated in the NFL Combine. Many players helped improve their draft stock by impressing in the on-field workouts.

The quarterbacks got to show off their accuracy and arm strength during the on-field workouts. While the prospects were throwing at the Combine, all eyes were on one quarterback in particular: Dwayne Haskins Jr. from Ohio State University.

Dwayne Haskins Combine Highlights

One thing that scouts and analysts immediately noted for Dwayne Haskins was how quickly the ball zipped out of his hand. He has great arm strength. On top of that, Haskins can make every throw. And he can do it better than every other prospect who threw on Saturday.

To start the on-field throwing drills, the quarterbacks threw slant routes. On these slant routes, Haskins showed off his arm strength. As Daniel Jeremiah noted, you can see the ball jump out of his hand. He completed every pass and put the ball in stride and on the money on every throw during the slants.

During the curl-routes and out-routes drills, Haskins impressed. Dwayne showed great timing anticipation during these drills. His accuracy in the intermediate range was a strength in college, and that seemed no different at the combine.

Dwayne Haskins showed off his deep accuracy on the corner routes. The prospects were struggling with this throw before Haskins took a crack at it. Kurt Warner even said the prospects were completing about 10% of the throws. But once Dwayne Haskins stepped up to throw, that changed. He put every throw right on the money. He had great height on his passes and tremendous accuracy, touch, to go along with perfect timing.

Giants fans everywhere will agree with Daniel Jeremiah: Giants’ super star wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. could have corralled the second pass by Haskins. Engram, too. Dwayne Haskins could be the future of the Giants’ franchise come April. The Giants seem to like him.

New York Giants’ offensive coordinator Mike Shula payed extra attention to Dwayne Haskins on Saturday. The team met with Dwayne on Friday night, then continued to scout him on Saturday. According to Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News, Shula spent a lot of time chatting with Haskins on the sideline.

…Giants OC Mike Shula did stand and chat with Dwayne Haskins on the sideline during the early portion of today’s throwing session for about 8-10 minutes. Didn’t see that with anyone else. Shula also put Haskins through his initial throws before the WR portion. – Pat Leonard

Haskins was officially weighed and measured on Friday. He stood tall at 6 foot 3 and three eighths and weighed 231 pounds. It is safe to say Haskins is a big guy. Unfortunately for Dwayne Haskins, he is not a fast big guy. He ran a 5.04 40 yard dash at the Combine. He was the slowest quarterback in his group.

A good thing for Dwayne Haskins is that he is more of a thrower than a runner. His slow 40 time will not affect his draft stock at all because it is not important. Haskins will never be asked to run 40 yards straight down the field. He is a strong-armed accurate passer. He plays his best when he has time in the pocket and can scan the field. Dwayne Haskins is an accurate, pro-style quarterback.

New York Jets: Why Trading the 3rd Pick to the Giants is a Great Idea

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At the start of the NFL Scouting Combine, New York Jets General Manager Mike Maccagnan made it clear his team is open to trading the 3rd overall pick of the 2019 NFL Draft. If the New York Giants want to reach for a quarterback, say Dwayne Haskins, the Jets should pounce on the opportunity to trade with them. While the Giants could secure their heir apparent to Eli Manning, the Jets could seize a haul of draft picks that can enhance their rebuild. Even though there’s a ton of defensive talent at the top, the Jets cannot pass on the chance to find even more talent. Here’s why:

 They Have Positions to Refill and Picks to Regain:

While the thought of nabbing a potential star with the 3rd pick in the 2019 draft is tempting, the Jets should trade down if given the choice. They have multiple areas of need, including offensive tackle/guard, wide receiver, running back, and the elusive pass rusher. Trading down would give Maccagnan more picks, which would give new head coach Adam Gase more players he can develop to help the Jets get back on track.

Plus, the Jets will know exactly what to look for if the Giants come calling for the 3rd pick. They traded up from 6 to 3 last year to secure their franchise quarterback, Sam Darnold. In doing so, they gave up three second-round picks, including their 2nd round pick this year. Now, if the Giants really want Haskins, the Jets have a blueprint of what they can demand from them. A trade could, and should, net them the 6th pick, the Giants’ second-round pick and much more.

 They Have a Ton of Cap Space to Find Top Talent in Free Agency:

Sure, the Jets could miss the chance to draft a top-tier talent at #3, most likely on the defensive front. Yet they’ll have over $100 million in cap space going into the free agent market. With this money, they can recruit and pay for some high-quality players.

There will definitely be proven names that the Jets can bargain for. Though the draft could have numerous skilled defensive linemen, free agency will provide a few experienced players on the rise. Maccagnan’s shopping list should include pass rushers like Dante Fowler Jr., Trey Flowers, and Brandon Graham. Additionally, the Jets could throw a Hail Mary and splurge on a bigger free agent target, like Le’Veon Bell.

They’d Still Have a Chance to Get a Difference Maker at #6:

Some Jet fans might believe the Jets could lose out on getting a great player for their team by trading down from #3. Those fans might crave a player like Ohio State’s Nick Bosa, Kentucky’s Josh Allen, or Alabama’s Quinnen Williams. Either one of these guys would give the Jets a defensive stud that could finally help them solve their pass rushing problems.

Yet the wonderful, and scary, thing about the draft is that there are no guarantees. No one really knows how these young players will turn out as pros. From that perspective, there really isn’t a huge difference between picks 3 and 6 in the draft. Also, the Jets should still have a chance to get a pretty solid defensive lineman if they trade back to 6, such as Michigan’s Rashan Gary or Clemson’s Clelin Ferrell.

And again, there are no guarantees when it comes to the NFL Draft. Top prospects often slide farther than where the projections have them pegged. To that end, it’s a distinct possibility that a touted player like Bosa, Allen or Williams could wind up on Jets, even at pick 6. The Jets would know. Two of their cornerstones on defense just happened to fall to them at #6: Leonard Williams and Jamal Adams.

The 2019 draft gives the Jets the chance to do a role reversal. If the Giants ask for the 3rd pick, the Jets shouldn’t hesitate. The Giants could get their franchise quarterback of the future in Dwyane Haskins, just a year after passing on Darnold. On the other hand, the Jets can get more picks that can help strengthen the foundation of their team. It’s a better way to help them build around their franchise quarterback. It’s a no-brainer.

New York Giants: Quarterback Prospects Weigh In At The Combine

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Should the New York Giants draft Oklahoma star, Kyler Murray?

The 2019 NFL Scouting Combine officially began on Thursday, February 28th. On Thursday, the 2019 Draft prospects were officially weighed and measured. All eyes were on this year’s quarterback class.

After NFL teams had their coaches and general managers conduct press conferences on Wednesday, fans and analysts were keeping a keen eye on a few specific prospects. For the Giants, those prospects were Kyler Murray and Dwayne Haskins.

Giants’ head coach Pat Shurmur committed to veteran Eli Manning Wednesday. However, him and general manager Dave Gettleman both acknowledge Eli’s age. He turned 38 years old in January. As Pat Shurmur said, Eli is “closer to 40 than he is to 20.”

With Eli’s age being a factor, the Giants are aware they need to have a plan for the future. Gettleman and Shurmur both admitted they are thinking about a succession plan and they are scouting this year’s quarterback class. With all this in mind, it is easy to assume the Giants took notes of the quarterbacks’ measurements.

Kyler Murray

Possibly the most intriguing prospect in the 2019 NFL Draft is Oklahoma quarterback Kyler Murray. Murray won the Heisman Trophy in 2018 as he put up 42 passing touchdowns and 4361 passing yards, along with with 12 rushing touchdowns and 1,001 rushing yards. He is the definition of dual-threat.

Despite his magical 2018 season at Oklahoma, Murray comes with a plethora of question marks. The main one being his size. But Murray answered all questions during his official weigh in and measurements at the Combine.

Throughout Kyler’s college career and this year’s NFL offseason, there has been speculation about Murray’s height. Some predicted he would be measured at only 5 feet 8 inches. However, at the Combine, Murray measured out a little taller and heavier than expected.

Kyler Murray’s official weight at the 2019 NFL Scouting Combine is 207 pounds. This is a huge win for Kyler Murray. Many analysts predicted his weight to be closer to 180 pounds. Murray proved today that the Russell Wilson comparisons might not be much of a stretch. He actually weighed in 3 pounds heavier than Wilson did at his Combine.

On top of his surprising weight, Murray impressed scouts with his height. He was measured at 5 feet 10 inches, just one inch below Russell Wilson. He even had some of the biggest hands in the class with 9 and a half inches (bigger than 6 foot 3 inch Drew Lock).

Murray’s weight and measurements might entice a quarterback-needy team to take him in the top 10. After Shurmur’s press conference, some might believe the Giants could be that team.

Dwayne Haskins

Before the 2019 NFL Combine, Giants fans were all in on Ohio State quarterback Dwayne Haskins. Now the fanbase seems to be split between Haskins and Kyler Murray. Either way, both seem to be great options, and after Combine measurements, Haskins deserves just as much of the spotlight.

Dwayne Haskins had great measurements at the Combine. He has a solid, prototypical NFL body. Dwayne stood tall at 6 foot 3 inches and three eighths. This is the average height for quarterbacks in the NFL. Knowing that Gettleman likes big quarterbacks, this should be music to his ears.

Haskins also weighed in an ideal weight. He was a solid 231 pounds. To compare Haskins’s body type to a notable pro, Patrick Mahomes is listed at 6 foot 3 and 230 pounds. Haskins has nice sized hands at 9 and five eighths inches.

With the ideal size for an NFL quarterback, and his fantastic film at Ohio State, Haskins looks to have a promising NFL career. He has been mocked to the Giants in numerous mock drafts. With a good showing at the combine, the Giants could become even more interested in Dwayne Haskins.

Drew Lock And Daniel Jones

Kyler Murray and Dwayne Haskins are the two best quarterbacks in the 2019 NFL Draft. There is a strong possibility that both of them are selected in the top 10. However, they are not the only quarterbacks receiving first-round buzz.

Drew Lock from Missouri is the consensus third-best quarterback in this draft class. Some have been lead to believe he might even be selected in the top 15. He is a tall, strong arm quarterback. He is listed at 6 foot 3 and six eighths inches, as well as 228 pounds. Unfortunately, Lock only had 9 inch hands. Some teams might even consider that to be too small.

Duke quarterback Daniel Jones has the ideal quarterback body. He stands mighty tall at 6 foot 5 and weighs in at 221 pounds. He has large hands, too, at 9 and six eighths inches. Not only does Jones have the ideal body, he also has a connection to the Giants’ quarterback Eli Manning. Daniel Jones was coached by Eli Manning’s same quarterback coach. He could be an option for the Giants if they trade back, or if he slides into the second round and the Giants decide to draft another position in round one.

If the Giants choose to draft a quarterback in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft, they have multiple options. As the Combine continues, the Giants will be keeping a close eye on these players as they participate in drills. Expect to see the Giants conduct formal meetings and interviews with a few of these prospects.

New York Giants: Head Coach Pat Shurmur Is Committed To Eli Manning

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With the 2019 NFL Scouting Combine taking place this week, the New York Giants’ staff conducted interviews on Wednesday. The hot topic surrounding these interviews was, of course, the Giants’ quarterback position. The Giants were asked about their plans for the position in 2019 and beyond. The Giants would not reveal too much about their plans beyond 2019. However, head coach Pat Shurmur made one thing clear: Eli Manning “is back.”

What Coach Shurmur Had To Say About Eli Manning

This is not the first time coach Shurmur has said to the press that he wants Manning back in 2019. But for the first time all offseason, we heard a definitive answer. Rather than saying he wants Eli back, Shurmur said “He’s back.” There is a big difference between the two.

Coach Shurmur is confident Eli can still compete at a high level. He does not blame Eli for the Giants’ 5-11 season. Shurmur thinks that if the rest of the team plays better, Eli will too.

“I think Eli can help us win games, and he proved, when the players around him started playing better, that he can play at a very high level and help us win games,” Shurmur said. “So, yeah, at this point I want Eli back.” – Pat Shurmur

Despite this, Shurmur did not rule out the possibility of adding another quarterback to the roster in the offseason. The Giants will be doing their due diligence on the 2019 Draft Class to try to identify a franchise quarterback. In fact, Shurmur made it clear he has already started evaluating the top prospects at that position.

What Coach Shurmur Had To Say About 2019 Quarterback Prospects

When asked about Kyler Murray and Dwayne Haskins, Shurmur admitted that he has already watched every single play from both of the prospects’ junior seasons. Both prospects only started one season in college, so there is not too much film for the Giants to evaluate. But Shurmur has already watched every play from Haskins’s and Murray’s careers.

Regarding Murray’s controversial height, Shurmur did not seem too unsettled by it.  He noted that Murray’s height did not seem to effect his ability to throw the ball in college. Shurmur pointed out a key statistic during his press conference: “For a sub-6-foot player, he only had five balls batted down.” Shurmur is willing to look at quarterbacks of all shapes and sizes.

“Times have changed. Quarterbacks come in all shapes and sizes. … Russell Wilson won a Super Bowl, so I think you’ve got to look at the total player, you’ve got to look at his productivity, and you’ve got to look at whether he fits. And I think we as coaches then will use their skillsets to the best of their ability to get the most out of them and win games.” – Pat Shurmur

Both Shurmur and general manager Dave Gettleman floated the idea of a quarterback succession plan. They both made note of “the Kansas City Model.” What they were referring to was how the Chiefs groomed league MVP Patrick Mahomes. They drafted him in 2017, had him sit a full season and learn behind veteran Alex Smith, then promoted Mahomes to the starting quarterback job for 2018.

Mahomes went on to throw 50 touchdown passes and win league MVP while leading his team to the AFC Conference Championship game. The Giants would love to have similar success. If the Giants are confident in one of the 2019 Draft’s quarterbacks as a franchise guy, they will not hesitate to draft him and groom him behind Manning.

New York Giants Confirmed To Have 10 Draft Picks In 2019 Draft

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New York Giants. Dave Gettleman, Pat Shurmur

The 2019 NFL Draft will begin on April 25th and carry through to the 27th. This will be a crucial draft for the New York Giants’ future. Having plenty of draft picks will be beneficial for them as they try to find talent to add to a 5-11 roster.

It was originally predicted that the Giants were going to have 11 draft picks. However, it is now confirmed they will only have 10. The Giants have been awarded a compensatory pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. Many thought the Giants would receive more than one pick, but that is unfortunately not the case.

Where Are The Giants Picking?

The compensatory pick that the Giants have received is a 5th round pick. It is pick 172. The Giants now have 3 draft picks in the fifth round. The other pick was acquired by trading Damon Harrison to the Detroit Lions.

In the fifth round, the Giants will be picking back to back. They have the 143rd pick and the 144th pick. Then again, of course with the 172nd pick. This is not the only round the Giants have multiple picks in.

In the fourth round, the Giants own two picks. They have their own pick (109) and they have a pick acquired via trade (133). The Giants have the Saints’ fourth round pick that they gained by trading away cornerback Eli Apple. In the sixth round the Giants have just one pick. It is pick 181 and it is their own.

In the 7th round, the Giants have two picks. neither of these picks are the Giants’ own. They own the Vikings’ pick (234) from trading away center Brett Jones. They also have the Rams’ seventh round pick (247) that they received in a trade in which they also received Alec Ogletree.

The Giants do not own a third round pick in 2019. They forfeited their pick when they selected Sam Beal in the third round of the Supplemental Draft. However, they do own their second round pick.

The Giants’ second round pick is the 37th overall pick in the draft. Being that it is near the top of the round, the Giants could end up getting a first-round prospect who falls with the 37th pick.

As all Giants fans know, the Giants own the 6th overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. It is their third time picking in the top 10 in the last four years. This will be a crucial draft pick for the franchise’s future. The Giants will need to decide wether or not the 6th pick will be used to select their next franchise quarterback or if it will be used elsewhere.

What Can The Giants Do With So Many Draft Picks?

Having 10 picks in the draft gives the Giants a lot of flexibility. Of course, they could stay put and take 10 players with their 10 picks. However, the Giants could trade up in the draft with so many picks. The more picks, the more trade value.

If the Giants love a prospect in the third round, they could potentially trade both of their fourth round picks to move back into the third round and take their guy.

These picks could even be traded outside of the draft. The Giants might feel it is best to have a veteran free safety going into 2019. Trading a late-round pick for a veteran could be of great value to the Giants. Last offseason they traded a mid-round pick to acquire Alec Ogletree. Dave Gettleman could look to make a similar move in 2019.

New York Giants Draft Profile: Edge Defender Jachai Polite

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The New York Jets drafted Jachai Polite in the third-round of the 2019 NFL Draft.

His last name might be Polite… but on the football field, he’s as rude as they come.

Jachai Polite is 3-4 edge rusher out of the University of Florida. He decided to declare for the 2019 NFL Draft after a productive junior season. Polite is expected to be selected in the first round of the draft.

In his junior year, Jachai was able to total an impressive 11 sacks. On top of that, he added 19.5 tackles for loss. Polite was also able to force 6 fumbles and have 4 passes defended.

Strengths:

Jachai Polite has a variety of elite speed-rush moves. He is able to win with the spin move, swim move, and his incredible bend. His bend allows him to win on the outside and make his way back to the quarterback. His frame and flexibility are ideal for NFL edge defenders.

Jachai is a thin edge defender, which is the reason for his speed. He should be expected to run a quick 40 yard-dash. His speed and quickness off the edge could draw comparisons to Von Miller. It is one of his biggest strengths and makes him an exciting prospect in this class.

Weaknesses:

Jachai Polite is an elite speed-rusher, however, every prospect has his flaws. Polite is not limited as only a speed-rusher, but he is not elite in run defense. He can hold his own, but he will not be a strong, consistent presence against the run. Polite might need to gain weight and strength once he makes it to the NFL.

Too often Jachai gets pushed off of the line and out of the play against the run. He also does not have enough strength and power to move tackles into running lanes. He is a secure tackler and has solid pursuit, so if the runner comes in his area, Jachai will make the play. But he has not consistently shown the ability to go through blockers to get to the runner.

Draft Stock:

Right now, days before the 2019 NFL Scouting Combine, Jachai Polite is considered a top-25 pick in this year’s draft. However, he has room for improvement. Some added weight and an impressive showing in the bench-press could move him up some teams’ draft boards.

Jachai will be expected to perform near the top of his position’s class in the dash, shuttle, and cone drills because of his speed and quickness. But if he performs well in the strength tests and interviews too, he could improve his stock.

In order for Jachai Polite to be in play for the Giants, a couple of things need to happen. First, the Giants need to decide they do not consider any quarterback in this draft class to be a franchise guy. Second, the Giants need to trade back.

Polite is not expected to be a top 10 pick. But, if the Giants move back between picks 10 and 20, Jachai Polite could be a home run selection along with the added draft capital the Giants would acquire in that trade.

New York Giants: What The Giants Will Be Looking For From Quarterbacks At The Combine

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The 2019 NFL Scouting Combine will begin on February 26 and last until March 4. On Saturday, March 2, the quarterback prospects will participate in their workouts.

Much has been made of the New York Giants’ quarterback position. Eli Manning’s future with the team has been a controversial topic for a couple of years now. After the Giants passed on a quarterback with the number 2 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, fans are eager to see if the Giants will make up for it in 2019.

After all, Eli Manning is not going to get any younger. He is 38 years old and cannot play forever. Reports indicate the Giants are considering drafting his successor in the 2019 NFL Draft. If that is the case, the Giants will need to pay close attention to the quarterback prospects at the 2019 NFL Scouting Combine.

Complete List Of Quarterback Prospects

  1. Dwayne Haskins Jr., Ohio State
  2. Kyler Murray, Oklahoma
  3. Drew Lock, Missouri
  4. Will Grier, West Virginia
  5. Daniel Jones, Duke
  6. Tyree Jackson, Buffalo
  7. Ryan Finley, N.C. State
  8. Jake Browning, Washington
  9. Nick Fitzgerald, Mississippi State
  10. Trace McSorley, Penn State
  11. Gardner Minshew, Washington State
  12. Brett Rypien, Boise State
  13. Kyle Shurmur, Vanderbilt
  14. Easton Stick, North Dakota State
  15. Jarrett Stidham, Auburn
  16. Jordan Ta’amu, Mississippi
  17. Clayton Thorson, Northwestern

The complete list of prospects participating in the 2019 NFL Scouting Combine, from every position, can be found here.

During the NFL Combine, prospects will go through measurements, weigh-ins, drills, workouts, and interviews. It is an important week for the prospects trying to cement their draft status.

Weigh-Ins And Measurements

At the NFL Combine, teams take measurements of all the prospects. That includes their height, their weight, their hand size, and their arm length. Some teams look at these measurements as an important part of projecting a quarterback’s professional strengths and limitations. Others consider that to be an outdated form of evaluation.

The Giants are one of the teams that puts emphasis on the quarterbacks’ measurements. They will be looking for a quarterback with the prototypical NFL build. A tall, strong-arm quarterback with big hands is what the Giants like to see.

One quarterback to pay attention to in the weigh-ins and measurements is the 2019 Senior Bowl MVP, Daniel Jones. Daniel is coming out of Duke and is known for having the prototypical NFL body. It is possibly his best trait. Jones is expected to measure about 6’4″. His hands were measured at about 9 3/4″ and he weighed in at 215 pounds.

To put this into perspective: Eli Manning is 6’4″, weighs 218 pounds, and a hand size of 9 3/4″. Daniel Jones basically has the exact body of Eli Manning. Jones was even coached by Eli’s former college coach.

There are clear connections between Jones, Manning, and the Giants. However, talent is more important than body, so Jones will have to prove himself as the most talented quarterback in the draft if he wants the Giants to draft him with the 6th pick in the 2019 NFL Draft.

Drills And Workouts

The fan favorite 40 yard-dash does not mean as much for the quarterback position as other drills do. However, in select prospects, the 40 time is a special drill to keep an eye on.

In 2018, that special case was Lamar Jackson. However, Jackson decided not to run the 40 at the Combine.

In 2019, that special case is Kyler Murray. Murray is expected to run about a 4.40 40 yard-dash. He could set a record time for his position.

The quarterbacks have their own drills, the throwing drills. Last year, Sam Darnold went number 3 overall without throwing at the Combine. So, throwing at the Combine is not extremely important, but it gives prospects a chance to make scouts look again when evaluating their accuracy.

Will Grier out of West Virginia is a prospect to keep an eye on in the throwing drills. He struggled with his accuracy during the Senior Bowl, but the Combine could be a chance to redeem himself.

The Giants likely will not be looking for a speedy quarterback. The 40 yard-dash is not something the Giants will be paying close attention to. For example, Eli Manning ran a 4.92 40 yard dash, and he has been the Giants’ quarterback for 15 years. The Giants prefer an accurate, strong-arm, pocket quarterback who can read defenses and make all the throws necessary. The Giants will watch closely to make sure the prospects they like are accurate and have an “NFL-arm” at the Combine.

Interviews

While these players will be evaluated during their workouts and drills, that is not the most important aspect of the Combine for them. The Giants and all other teams will put great importance on the quarterbacks’ interviews.

Teams like to use the combine as a way to get to know the players. Since quarterback is such an important and complex position, the interview looks to dissect many important traits for quarterbacks.

Teams will ask them questions to see how they can handle the media. They will ask them about their relationships with teammates and coaches, along with their work ethic. Most importantly, the teams will be testing the quarterbacks on their football IQ.

The football IQ they will be testing for in a quarterback is their ability to read defenses, call protections, and understand play concepts. Many teams even give the prospects markers and a white board and pop quiz them on plays and concepts.

A prospect who will need a great interview to secure his spot as a top ten pick is Dwayne Haskins Jr. out of Ohio State University. Possibly Haskins’s best trait is his football IQ. Teams will try to figure out if Dwayne is the real deal in the interview room at the Combine.

Here are a couple of videos where Dwayne Haskins shows off his football IQ and has his throwing abilities analyzed:

New York Giants: Who Will Start At Cornerback In 2019?

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The New York Giants need help at the cornerback position. Starting cornerback Janoris Jenkins has regressed significantly over the past two seasons, and the other players on the roster are young and unproven.

The Giants can not call themselves competitors if they trot B.W. Webb back on the field as a starter in 2019. He was the 77th ranked cornerback in 2018 according to Pro Football Focus. Webb might be most remembered as a Giant for almost blowing the game against the Chicago Bears with multiple pass interference penalties and a touchdown given up.

Janoris Jenkins is not even a lock to make the roster. He could become a cap casualty in 2019. He has regressed to an average cornerback since his dominant season in 2016. The Giants might try to make upgrades (as they should), however, there are not a ton of options out there.

Despite all this, the Giants might have two of their starters on their roster already.

Grant Haley

The slot cornerback position seems to be set for the Giants’ future. As an undrafted free agent out of Penn State, Grant Haley played a solid rookie season for the Giants in 2018. Haley actually outplayed Janoris Jenkins in 2018 from a PFF grading standpoint.

In 2018, Grant Haley posted a 69.3 overall Pro Football Focus grade. That was considered an above average grade by PFF. Janoris Jenkins’ grade was only a 68.0 in 2018. Grant Haley was very impressive in the slot in 2018.

Grant Haley played in 10 games in 2018. In those 10 games, Haley was a contributor in run defense with his 33 tackles and 3 tackles for loss. He also added 2 passes defended.

Considering how much Jenkins gets payed, it would be cost efficient for the Giants to cut ties with Janoris and get younger at the cornerback position with Haley and some other young guys.

Sam Beal

Who is Sam Beal? He’s the best prospect to enter the league’s supplemental draft in a long time. Maybe ever. – Matt Miller

Another young guy who has a good chance of starting in 2019 is Sam Beal. Sam was selected by the Giants in the third round of the 2018 supplemental draft. He was not in the 2018 NFL Draft because Beal chose to stay at school and finish earning his degree.

After his junior season, “many NFL evaluators told agents and media members that Beal was likely a top-100 pick.” Beal is a very talented cornerback who had 2 interceptions and 10 passes defended as a junior. He was a highly coveted prospect in the supplemental draft, and the Giants were lucky enough to select him in the third round.

The Giants will be without a third round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft because they selected Beal, however, they are confident he will be worth the pick. With top 100 draft talent, and 1st round projection by some scouts, Sam Beal was an absolute steal for the Giants.

Unfortunately, Sam Beal missed the entire 2018 NFL season with a shoulder injury. But due to the lack of talent at the position for the Giants, Beal will likely be placed into the starting role in 2019. He has great size at 6’1″ and 185 pounds, along with great athleticism like his 4.40s 40-time.

Sam Beal has all the traits necessary to be a great NFL player. If he can remain healthy in 2019, Beal will start for the Giants and could progress into a great cornerstone player for the franchise’s future.

New York Giants: Options For The Giants If They Trade Back In the 2019 NFL Draft

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The New York Giants hold the 6th overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. Everyone is waiting to see wether or not the Giants will finally attempt to draft Eli Manning‘s successor. However, nothing is set in stone.

This year’s draft class only has a couple of quarterbacks that are worthy of a first-round pick. If the Giants want to take one, they might even have to trade up. However, if they are not in love with one of the quarterback prospects, their best course of action might be to trade back.

Who Might Be Looking To Trade Up?

A few quarterback-needy teams could try to move into the top 10 to get their franchise signal-caller. The Giants could potentially go all-in on Eli Manning, trade back to accumulate draft picks, and build the team around the 38 year old veteran.

That is an unlikely, and probably unwise scenario. A more likely scenario would be if a team jumped in front of the Giants and took the quarterback they want. Thus would then cause the Giants to move back in the draft to get more picks. There are multiple teams who could potentially try to trade with the Giants.

One team that stands out is the Denver Broncos. The Broncos’ general manager, John Elway, has been rumored to view quarterback prospect Drew Lock as his guy. If the Giants do not share the same opinion, they could move back to the Broncos’ 10th spot.

The Miami Dolphins is another team to look out for in the 2019 NFL Draft. They are another quarterback-needy team picking outside of the top ten. They currently hold the 13th pick, which could end up being too far back to select a franchise quarterback. So if there is someone in this draft they want to select, trading up to the 6th pick would not be a bad idea.

The Giants could consider trading the 6th pick to a division rival. The Washington Redskins are going to be without Alex Smith this year due to a gruesome injury. This could possibly mean Smith’s retirement. They need to draft a quarterback to secure their future. With the 15th pick, Washington could look to trade up inside the top 10 and get themselves a quarterback.

What Could The Giants Get For The 6th Pick?

The 6th pick has a value of 1,600 points while the 10th pick has a value of 1,300. In order to add the 300 points of value, the Broncos could throw in a 2nd round pick. The Broncos’ second rounder is the 41st pick, which is worth 490 points, but that is likely fair enough compensation considering the Broncos would be selecting a quarterback.

The 13th pick is worth 1,150 points. In addition to the 13th pick, the Dolphins could trade the 48th pick from round 2 (worth 420 points) and the 141st pick from round 5 (worth 35.5 points) to make this trade. The Giants would then have plenty of draft capital necessary to add depth to their roster.

Washington’s 15th overall pick is worth 1,050 points. With the 15th pick already included, if the Redskins threw in their round 2, 46th overall pick (worth 440 points), and their 3rd round pick, 77th overall (worth 205 points), to total a package worth 1,695 points. The extra 95 points would likely make up for the fact that this is an in-division trade.

Who Could The Giants Draft If They Trade Back?

Trading back into the pick 10-20 of the first round could be of great value for the Giants. On top of the extra 2nd and mid round picks they would receive, they would have the ability to draft a defensive playmaker, or a great offensive linemen. Cody Ford is a player that has been mocked to the Giants and would likely be available if they traded back.

The draft class is filled with talented playmakers on defense. Cornerbacks and edge rushers are abundant. If one of the top-end players slides due to the high volume of playmakers on defense, the Giants could get a draft-day steal.

Edge rusher is one of the Giants’ top needs heading into the 2019 offseason. Montez Sweat is a player that has been mocked within picks 10-20 in recent mock drafts.

Cody Ford, Offensive Tackle, Oklahoma

In 2018, Cody Ford played right tackle for the Oklahoma Sooners. He is listed at 6’4″ and 338 pounds. Do not let his large stature fool you. Ford is an agile tackle with the ability to pass protect speed rushers.

Cody Ford is a gritty Hog Molly who loves to finish the play strong. Dave Gettleman loves strong, aggressive linemen, and Ford would fit right in with his mold of what an offensive lineman should be.

The Giants are in desperate need of a right tackle. Ford would be an instant upgrade at that position. And after a few years, Ford could move to the left side once Nate Solder moves on to retirement.

Montez Sweat, Edge Rusher, Mississippi State

Montez Sweat is a freakish 6’6″ 245 pound edge rusher out of Mississippi State. He was very productive in his junior and senior years. He totaled 10.5 sacks as a  junior and 12 sacks as a senior.

Sweat’s bull rush is excellent. He has the ability to push linemen and collapse the pocket. He is also able to plug holes in run support with his strength and ability to move the line.

https://twitter.com/DLineVids/status/1040192709347012608

However, Sweat is not a perfect prospect. Montez could improve his bend and flexibility on the outside. He does not have a ton of pass-rush moves, mainly just the bull rush, plus an occasional swim. If he adds another move or counter-move or two, he could be a great player. Check out Sweat’s bullrush on full display at the Senior Bowl:

He might take some time to develop, but Montez Sweat has the potential to be a great player at the next level. He could be a draft day steal if the Giants decide to trade back in the 2019 NFL Draft.

 

New York Giants: Kyler Murray Officially Chooses Football Over Baseball

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Kyler Murray was college football’s best player in 2018. He won the Heisman Trophy in his first and last year as a starting quarterback. The dual-threat signal-caller posted 4,361 passing yards and 42 passing touchdowns. In addition, Murray rushed for 1,001 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Despite all this, it has been unknown wether or not Kyler Murray would play in the NFL. In June of 2018, Murray was drafted to play in the MLB by the Oakland A’s. Last month, Murray declared for the NFL Draft, leaving the door open for him to pursue football if he so chooses. Last week, Kyler committed to participating in the NFL Scouting Combine, adding further speculation to what his future plans were. But on Monday, Kyler Murray made it clear what he will choose to do.

Kyler Murray announced via Twitter that he is committed to playing in the NFL:

How This Benefits The Giants:

With plenty of fans and analysts predicting the Giants will select a quarterback in the 2019 NFL Draft, this is big news. Even if Kyler Murray does not fit the Giants’ mold for a quarterback prospect, another quarterback in the draft pool could be extremely useful for the Giants.

With Murray now in the mix, along with Dwayne Haskins, quarterback-needy teams will be competing with each other to get their guy. If someone looks at Murray as their guy while the Giants look at Haskins as their guy, then the Giants have a higher chance of landing Dwayne Haskins. Teams might trade up to select Murray, but that means just one less team trying to take Haskins away from the Big Apple.

Kyler Murray Highlights:

Kyler Murray is an extremely talented football player. He is a quick runner and accurate passer. His biggest flaw is his size. Scouts will be paying close attention to Murray’s weigh in at the Combine. He was listed at 5’11” in college, but some believe he is closer to 5’8″.

Despite his lack of size, Murray displayed pure skills through the air and on the ground in his Heisman Trophy-winning season.

In the College Football Playoffs, Kyler displayed an elite ability to throw on the run:

Against Texas, Murray displayed extreme speed. He should light it up at the combine:

If the Giants added Kyler Murray into the offense with Saquon Barkley and Odell Beckham Jr., it could be lethal. If he is able to progress at the next level and prove his size is not an issue, Murray will have a great career wherever he goes.