New York Giants: Just like that, Big Blue is back in NFL Draft driver’s seat

After a somewhat shaky start to NFL free agency, the New York Giants turned things around in a big way on Wednesday. They are now sitting pretty when it comes to the NFL Draft.

New York Giants fans have had Saquon Barkley at the top of their NFL Draft wish lists since the team was destined for a top-five pick. Once general manager Dave Gettleman and head coach Pat Shurmur seemed to be leaning towards passing on a quarterback, Barkley to the Giants seemed real.

Then Barkley tore up the NFL Combine and he became a real possibility to go No. 1 to the Cleveland Browns, putting up a roadblock for Big Blue. But could Cleveland really pass up a quarterback first overall? Well, after trading for Tyrod Taylor it certainly became possible. The Browns could now take Barkley at No. 1 and a quarterback at No. 4 if they wanted.

If Barkley went first overall, who would the Giants pick? They wouldn’t pick Quenton Nelson after signing Andrew Norwell which was a “lock” right? Well, Norwell ended up with the Jaguars, leaving Big Blue without any offensive line help. The sky was falling! Gettleman didn’t know what he was doing! He had messed up his first offseason in charge of the New York Giants!

Yet, NFL free agency hadn’t even officially started. And once Wednesday came around, the tides started turning for Gettleman and company.

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The Giants landed Nate Solder, the top available offensive tackle, and the Browns inked Carlos Hyde, the best running back on the market. New York finally addressed their offensive line and Cleveland invested in a talented running back.

Some around the industry believe a quarterback will be the first overall pick. Whether the Browns are making that pick or a team that’s traded up, that is huge for the Giants. They would then have the options of drafting Barkley and surrounding Eli Manning with unbelievable weapons, drafting Nelson and creating a fantastic left side of the offensive line, or trading back to accumulate more picks while still having a shot at a top talent.

Not long ago, it seemed like the Giants would be signing Norwell, sticking with Ereck Flowers at left tackle, and picking second overall with Barkley off the board. The top player available would then be Nelson who plays the same position as the free agent they just spent a majority of their cap space on. Maybe the sky was falling…

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But now, the New York Giants could be picking at No. 2 with both of the top prospects available, both of whom are at positions of need.

Oh how quickly things in the NFL can change. One day fans are calling for Gettleman’s head and the next he’s in control of the NFL Draft.