New York Giants: A look at the top QB choices for the second overall pick

The New York Giants have the second overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. Some believe they should draft a quarterback with that pick. Some disagree. Either way, here is a breakdown of the top QB options in this year’s draft.

Sam Darnold

Sam is an excellent QB with a bright future. He brings a tough, hard-nosed style of play with a gunslinger’s mentality. Unfortunately, he’s only packing six-shooters and no heavy artillery. Sam will lead a team around him and semi-elevate other players but will never take over a game and dominate. This was showcased during his bowl game and the game against UCLA. Darnold will, however, manage a team well. He possesses sneaky mobility coupled with a knack for keeping his eyes downfield while on the move. He also has a calm demeanor that would work well with a Josh McDaniels or Jim Schwartz, who are fierier verbal leaders. They would allow Darnold to not have to be that guy.

NFL Comparison: Alex Smith

Josh Rosen

I’ll admit, I am not a fan of Josh Rosen. I’ve said before I think he is wildly overrated and for all the hype given to him, he carries himself like he should receive ten times more praise than he deserves. Josh Rosen has a strong arm and is a risk taker, with decent mobility. Often he finds himself more lucky than good. Josh Rosen has a dollar worth of talent but a ten cent head and with that, he will crumble in his chosen destination of NY. New York fans are unforgiving. It took awhile for most to warm up to Eli and still half of the fanbase doesn’t like Eli (they respect him, but sure don’t like his Duffy face). Rosen is like nuke from Bull Durham, and the Giants just don’t have a Crash Davis on the team to guide him and teach him what being a pro really means.

NFL Comparison: Ryan Leaf

Baker Mayfield

Mayfield has all the tools that you want in a QB. An old coach of mine said he’s a cross between Johnny Manziel and Drew Brees, which really means he’s got an incredibly high ceiling but a very low floor. Mayfield has the arm talent, the mobility, and the creativity to drive defensive coordinators nuts on Sundays, especially with talents around him such as Odell Beckham Jr. and Evan Engram. But his lack of maturity at every turn during his college career leads me to believe that he hasn’t yet turned the corner to lead an NFL Team; but the highlights and on-field talent showed through during a double-overtime loss to Georgia 54-48.

NFL Comparison: Johnny Brees

Lamar Jackson

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I’m a fan of Jackson. He has “the everything“ that you’re looking for in a modern QB. At 6’3″ he’s got arm talent through the roof and the mobile ability to take off and control a game with his legs. But most importantly he’s smart, team first, a humble leader, and brings those qualities to elevate the talent around him. Every quarterback on this list had five-star talent surrounding him except Lamar Jackson, who was only a 3-star QB himself coming out of high school. Unfortunately, he has the curse of being a mobile black quarterback which automatically puts him in the lower tier draft status such as they did Deshaun Watson who showed his pedigree with a national championship before being dismissed as the draft’s fifth-best QB during the draft process last year. During his bowl game, Jackson made uncharacteristic mistakes but his play alone kept his team in the game against an SEC opponent that would have otherwise walked through Louisville’s weak, uninspired performance.

NFL Comparison: Deshaun Watson

Next: Should the New York Giants trade back in the draft?

The New York Giants haven’t had to worry about the quarterback position for 14 years with Eli Manning at the helm. They now have to think about their future under center.

Will the New York Giants draft a quarterback second overall? Will it be one of these guys? We’ll have to wait and see.

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