NFL Mock Draft: 3-round predictions for the New York Giants
By Sean Dyer
Round 1 (No. 2 overall): Josh Rosen, QB, UCLA
I’m sure you’ve seen NFL mock drafts all across the internet predicting the New York Giants to take Josh Rosen second overall. Sorry that I’m joining the pack here. As I said, though, each of my mock drafts will be different so you likely won’t see Rosen’s name for a while after this one.
Considering you’ve seen this pick a ton already, you’ve most likely formed an opinion on it by now.
There are two clear sides when debating this pick. One side believes Eli Manning still has a few good years left in him and the second overall pick could be better used to draft a prospect who can help the Giants win in 2018. The other side doesn’t care how much Manning has left and just sees a rare opportunity to draft a franchise quarterback who will help make life after Eli less painful.
Obviously, I’m with the second group of people in this debate. I can 100% see Eli Manning starting for the Giants in 2018 and possibly 2019, especially with quarterback whisperer Pat Shurmur expected to be on board.
However, Manning’s contract runs out after 2019 and Big Blue could be stuck without a franchise quarterback and a first-round pick in the twenties where it’s tough to find one.
Taking Rosen second overall would allow the Giants to easily transition from one franchise quarterback to the next either in 2019 or 2020. And as good of a prospect as Rosen is, he could really benefit from sitting behind Manning for a year or two.
According to WalterFootball.com, Rosen’s weaknesses include questionable leadership traits, quality of teammate, and could have problems with the media. Leadership, being a great teammate, and dealing with the media could arguably be Eli Manning’s three biggest strengths.
Manning could take Rosen under his wing and show him the ropes of not only being an NFL quarterback but playing in New York where the media is perhaps the toughest.
Eliminate Rosen’s weaknesses and all that will be left are his many strengths. If the Giants draft Rosen, they will be getting an on-field stud if you asked WalterFootball.com:
"Of the top quarterback prospects for the 2018 NFL Draft, Rosen has the best mechanics and is the most natural pocket passer. He throws a tremendous ball and can really spin it. Rosen’s tight spiral helps him to get his passes through tight windows and beat good coverage. There is no throw that Rosen can’t make for the NFL, and instantly next fall, he will be among the stronger arms of the starting quarterbacks in the league. The ball just explodes out of his hand, and you don’t see his passes wobble when he goes downfield."
CBS Sports ranks Rosen 17th on its prospect rankings but as you know from every other NFL mock draft you’ve read, he’s expected to go top-5. All the Giants need is for the Cleveland Browns to grant Rosen his wish and not take him first overall.
I understand that the New York Giants already have a quarterback. But missing an opportunity to draft a player like Josh Rosen could haunt Big Blue for years to come after Manning is singing insurance jingles with his brother.