Big Draft Choices For Giants And Jets

 

By Andrew Rosario

 

The last three years in New York football has not been very competitive. The New York (Football) Giants finished the 2018 season 5-11. 2019 saw them go 4-12 and last year in the Covid19 season, they finished 6-10. Big Blue lost their most dynamic weapon when second year running back Saquan Barkley blew out the ACL in his right knee. The Giants drafted him in the second round the year before and he showed why he was selected. Barkley missed three games due to a high ankle injury but still managed to gain over 2,000 yards from scrimmage (1,003 rushing) including 15 touchdowns. With veteran quarterback Eli Manning’s career winding down, General Manager Dave Gettleman surprised everyone when he selected quarterback Daniel Jones with 6th overall pick. Head coach at the time Pat Shurmur didn’t waste time benching Manning after only 2 games when the team played in Tampa. Jones showed why he was drafted as high as he was leading the team to a 32-31 victory throwing for 336 yards running in the game winning touchdown. Injuries affected his play last year. It began with a high ankle sprain and when he did return, Jones pulled a hamstring causing him to miss more games. Both Barkley and Jones are expected to make full recoveries by the time training camp opens. 

 

 

That said, the Giants have 6 draft picks when the draft takes place tonight. In the first round, they have the #11 pick. Round 2, #42nd, round 3, #76, round 4, #116 and round 6, #119 and #201. This is a very heavy quarterback draft and not only will the top prospects not be around when it’s the Giants turn, it would send a wrong message to Jones if they were to pick another quarterback so soon after putting in all their marbles from the player from Duke. So where does Gettleman and the Giants go? How much input will second year head coach Joe Judge have? 

 

Conventional wisdom says to pick the best available player when they are on the clock. Does Gettelman want to draft a player that can enhance the offense or does he look to the defensive side of the ball? One defensive player getting a lot of attention is cornerback Caleb Farley from Virginia Tech. If Farley is gone, Gettleman may look to bolster up the offense. Ja’ Marr Chase (LSU), DeVonte Smith (Alabama) and Jaylen Waddle (Alabama) are the top three prospects. Smith won the 2020 Heisman Trophy awarded to the best college player. It would be a shock if he isn’t taken before the 11th pick. 

 

The New York Giants have not made the playoffs since 2016 losing a wild card game to the Green Bay Packers. Ownership has fired 2 coaches (Shurmur) after 2-years and Ben McAdoo after 2-10 start in his second year. Long time defensive coordinator Steve Spagnulo took over for McAdoo and went losing 3 of the 4 games as head coach. The team did not retain his services at the end of the season. 

 

After years of being one of the more dominant divisions in football, the conference was called the “Big Least” last year as it took only 8 wins (The Washington Football Team) to win the division. The Giants showed heart and played hard for Judge but lost 3 of their final 4 games. Gettleman is on the clock and hoping to pick a player that can make an immediate impact.

 

The New York Jets stunned their fans when they abruptly traded third year quarterback Sam Darnold to the Carolina Panthers. The Jets received three picks: a sixth-rounder in the 2021 draftlater this month and a second-rounder and fourth-rounder in 2022. Darnold was the No. 3 overall draft pick in 2018 out of USC. Darnold showed flashes of being a complete quarterback as a member of Gang Green. In his three years, Darnold threw for over 8,000 yards, 45 touchdowns and 39 interceptions. The combined record was 4-34. Head coach Adam Gase who built his reputation as a quarterback whisperer, could never get Darnold or the team untracked. After 2 seasons and a 9-23, Gase gets canned. Darnold maintained he wanted to finish his career as a member of the Jets. Management had other feelings. Injuries and sickness took its toll on his brief career. A sprained foot in his rookie campaign cost him 3 games. After the very first game the following year, Darnold contracted mononucleosis cost him 4 games. Last year he sprained his throwing shoulder and missed 4 more games. Said Darnold when informed of the trade, “I think for the most part, throughout my career, I haven’t been winning a ton of games. I think that is what I am most looking forward to next season.” 

 

So, when General Manager Joe Douglas hears “the New York Jets are on the clock” it is expected he will take a quarterback with the second pick. Who will that be? The Jacksonville Jaguars have the first pick and are expected to take quarterback Trevor Lawrence from Clemson. That leaves Gang Green the following choices: 

Zach Wilson (BYU), Justin Fields(Ohio State), Trey Lance (North Dakota State) and Mac Jones (Alabama). After their initial pick, the Jets 6 more picks. Second pick in round 1#23, round 2#34, round 3#66, round 3#87, round 4,#108 and round 5#147.  

 

Douglas looked at the west coast and hired a guy with no head coaching experience. Robert Saleh, defensive coordinator from the San Fransisco 49ers and well touted as a “players” coach will have his work cut out for him based on the roster that Douglas assembles. The Patriots were brought back to earth when Brady left them and guided Tampa to a Super Bowl victory in his first year with the team. Buffalo made it to the playoffs and won a playoff game for the first time since 1995. Miami is much improved as well. 

 

When commissioner Roger Goodell takes the stage in Cleveland (home of the Browns) a small crowd of fans and media members will be in attendance. Unlike last year when Covid19 turned the night into a virtual draft. For fans of the Jets and Giants, rest assured they will hope the organizations picks will pay immediate dividends. The losing seasons have gone on way to long.