Barkley To The Giants at #2
With the 2nd overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, the New York Football Giants came away with the best player in the draft, running back Saquon Barkley from Penn State.
This isn’t going to be a negative article, so let’s just get this out of the way. I think the Giants should have gone QB here. They were never really in play for Mayfield, so they had their choice of QB at #2. Eli is my favorite Giant ever, but he’s 37-years-old, so I felt the Giants were in prime position to select his heir apparent. Dave Gettleman and crew obviously felt different. Now they must hope Sam Darnold doesn’t become the franchise QB of the team they share a stadium with.
It makes it a bit easier, though, when you walk away with the clear-cut number one player in the draft. Barkley is exceptional. He’s a generational talent. The Giants haven’t had a featured back since Tiki Barber – 12 years ago. Now the Giants have a running back who is said to be the best to come out since Adrian Peterson and draws comparisons to Marshall Faulk and LaDanian Tomlinson.
Those are BIG shoes to fill. But these are the expectations now when you are the second player chosen in the draft. But I think this guy has what it takes.
Just look at the agility and maneuverability on this 44 -Yard Run vs Iowa. It’s stuff out of video games!
How about his explosion and breakaway speed in this 92-yard run in the Fiesta Bowl.
Not only is Barkley an excellent runner, he can also line up out wide or catch out of the backfield.
And I’m sure Odell approves of this catch vs Indiana.
Barkley should make an instant impact on the Giants and should help extend Eli Manning’s career. Having a running game is something Eli hasn’t had the luxury of since 2010. Barkley has the skills as a runner, receiver, and pass blocker that can immediately pay dividends for that offense.
And now suddenly, the Giants offense is explosive. You must choose if you want to stack the box to stop Barkley or double up on Odell Beckham Jr. on the outside. It’s the Giants version of Antonio Brown and Le’Veon Bell over in Pittsburgh. Oh, and you still have to cover Evan Engram and Sterling Shepard as well.
With the pick of Barkley, the Giants should look to add at least one, and maybe two offensive linemen on Day 2 of the draft. Offensive line is still a big issue for the Giants, and if they want to maximize Barkley’s effectiveness, they need to add more bodies there.
Names to look out for on Day 2 include, Will Hernandez from UTEP, Connor Williams from Texas, James Daniels from Iowa, Tyrell Crosby from Oregon, Austin Corbett from Nevada, Martinas Rankin from Mississippi State.
In addition, keep a look out for Harold Landry from BC and Josh Jackson from Iowa as options for the Giants at 34. Giants could look to improve the pass rush and Landry is far and away the best available. Giants also need more CB depth and Josh Jackson is one of the best in the draft who could still be available to them at 34.
