A legendary season from a rookie running back was not enough to save the New York Giants from picking inside the top ten of the 2019 NFL Draft.
Since winning Super Bowl XLVI the New York Giants have been back to the playoffs only one time. It is now back-to-back seasons of missing the postseason for New York and their fans are getting eager to have meaningful football in January again. In 2018 they brought in rookie Saquon Barkley who looks to be one of the league’s best running backs in his first season. New York was their normal spending self, dishing out a massive contract to Nate Solder last offseason as well. Still that was not enough to keep them from finishing last in the NFC East and holding the sixth pick in the 2019 NFL Draft.
This mock draft was done using Fanspeak’s On the Clock tool.
Round 1 – Pick 6
Dwayne Haskins, QB, Ohio State
It is no surprise here, in a mock draft without trades, to see the Giants land the top quarterback on the board. When the actual draft rolls around I expect movement at the top for a team like Jacksonville to jump the Giants if the top quarterback is sitting there at five. However, this mock draft does not include trades which means top quarterback Dwayne Haskins was there for the taking for New York.
Despite this being his first year starting, Haskins put up a Heisman caliber season leading the Buckeyes. The most encouraging sign was his progression throughout the season. Early tests against Penn State and Michigan were rattling for the redshirt sophomore but his play as the season progressed shows he has what it takes to succeed in the NFL.
Haskins is not an upper echelon prospect like some of the quarterbacks a year ago but he has all the traits NFL front offices fall in love with. As big frame pairs with his big arm that was on display in Columbus this season. Haskins may struggle with accuracy in certain areas of the field though. He plays with some strong anticipation that bodes well for his development. The biggest area of concern is how he will deal with pressure. He was kept relatively clean at Ohio State and is not a good athlete to scramble and make plays. His evaluation is interesting but when it is all said and done he will be the draft’s top quarterback.
The other directions New York can go include, edge rusher, offensive tackle, corner or even defensive tackle. This is a roster that lacks an identity on defense and has holes on offense. The top tackles, Jonah Williams and Cody Ford were still there and made this a tougher choice. Edge rusher was depleted thanks to a run at the top of the board and this is not a team to reach. Finally there were no corners or defensive tackles deserving of a pick at 6. Haskins, should it fall this way, would be the smartest and safest choice.