NFL Combine: Shurmur and Gettleman hinting at passing on a QB?
By Sean Dyer
Head coach Pat Shurmur and general manager Dave Gettleman spoke at the NFL Combine on Wednesday and may have been hinting at the New York Giants passing on a quarterback at No. 2 overall.
Some may consider the NFL Combine the “Underwear Olympics” but it is the first time after the Super Bowl where we get to enjoy football again. NFL hopefuls work out in front of every team’s decision makers. Those decision makers also speak to the media to talk about their plans for the upcoming offseason.
On Wednesday, the New York Giants new regime spoke about their first offseason in charge. Of course, head coach Pat Shurmur and general manager Dave Gettleman made sure not to give away any team secrets by giving fairly general answers but there may have been one trend to what they each said.
The biggest question surrounding the Giants offseason is what they will do with the No. 2 overall pick in the NFL Draft. They have a franchise quarterback in Eli Manning but he is getting a little long in the tooth. Could they draft his successor? What about the offensive line? That is their biggest need but there aren’t really any offensive linemen worthy of the second overall pick. Maybe they’ll trade back and accumulate more picks. Perhaps they’ll take Saquon Barkley. He’s the best player in the draft but running backs rarely get drafted as high as second overall. Shurmur and Gettleman have a lot of options in their first year in charge of Big Blue.
From what Shurmur and Gettleman said on Wednesday, they may be leaning towards passing on a quarterback at No. 2 overall.
As has already been said, Shurmur reiterated that Eli Manning is the Giants starting quarterback in 2018 and said the No. 2 pick is open to all positions.
Coach Shurmur: We’re looking forward to moving forward with Eli Manning. We’re going to pick the very best player we can pick at No. 2.
— New York Giants (@Giants) February 28, 2018
Shurmur also may have shocked a few people when he said Manning has years (plural) left as a starting NFL quarterback. It was expected that Eli would start in 2018 but that a rookie would take over in the near future. If Shurmur sees Manning as his quarterback for multiple years, drafting his successor now might not make sense.
Coach Shurmur: We believe that Eli Manning has got years left as a starting quarterback in this league.
— New York Giants (@Giants) February 28, 2018
It’s also possible that the Giants see Davis Webb as Manning’s successor. Shurmur said he likes what he sees with Webb.
Coach Shurmur said he went back and watched college and practice tape on Davis Webb. “I’m excited by what he brings to the table.”
— New York Giants (@Giants) February 28, 2018
Gettleman also addressed the fact that taking a quarterback in the top five brings plenty of risk. There’s risk with every draft pick, but with the quarterback being the lifeblood of a team, missing can really set you back.
Gettleman: You make a mistake on a quarterback this high, it sets you back five years.
— New York Giants (@Giants) February 28, 2018
If not on a quarterback, how will the Giants use the second overall pick? Well, Shurmur is a fan of running backs, especially guys who can do it all like Saquon Barkley.
Coach Shurmur: I have a high opinion of what a running back brings to your offense. He has to run the ball, pass protect, and catch the football.
— New York Giants (@Giants) February 28, 2018
Gettleman wants to make sure the Giants fully evaluate Barkley before making him a top draft pick. He may be the best running back in this year’s class, but does he compare to Ezekiel Elliott, Todd Gurley, or Leonard Fournette? According to most scouts, Barkley is better than all three.
GM Dave Gettleman on RBs: The first thing we have to determine is if this guy is worthy of a No. 2 pick in any draft, not just this year. #NFLCombine
— New York Giants (@Giants) February 28, 2018
Gettleman did, however, admit that just because a player is a running back doesn’t mean he can’t be drafted in the top five. Gettleman and the Giants’ goal is to draft a great player at No. 2, no matter what position they play.
Gettleman: “This whole myth of devaluing running backs, I find it kind of comical. At the end of the day, if he’s a great player, he’s a great player. It doesn’t make a difference what position it is." #NFLCombine
— Dan Salomone (@Dan_Salomone) February 28, 2018
The Giants will also be taking a good look at the available offensive linemen, or “hog mollies” as Gettleman likes to call them. Fixing the offensive line should be New York’s No. 1 priority this offseason. Combine Gettleman looking at offensive line prospects with the Giants taking a great player at No. 2 regardless of position, and Quenton Nelson becomes an option for Big Blue.
"When you evaluate hog mollies, you have to be patient. You have to take your time. You look for the things that all the great ones can do. You have to look at all the basics. Does he play with a base? Can he roll his hips? Can he do this? Can he do that?" https://t.co/iprgRPDAAG
— Dan Salomone (@Dan_Salomone) February 28, 2018
Another option for the Giants (my personal favorite) is trading back in the draft. Gettleman said he will do what’s best for the organization and if someone makes him an offer he can’t refuse, he’d consider moving back.
Gettleman on possibly trading No. 2 pick: Any decision I make is going to be in the best interest of the New York Giants.
— New York Giants (@Giants) February 28, 2018
Eli Manning has multiple years left. Davis Webb looks good. Running back is an important part of the offense. Gettleman is on the lookout for offensive linemen. Trading back in the draft is an option. Based on the initial word from the NFL Combine, Pat Shurmur, Dave Gettleman, and the New York Giants may be leaning towards passing on a quarterback with the No. 2 overall pick.
Next: 5 scenarios to fix the Giants offensive line in one offseason
Not to worry, there will be plenty more to come from Shurmur and Gettleman throughout the NFL Combine and the rest of the offseason.