In light of the NFL Combine, it’s time to break down the top quarterback prospects the New York Giants may peek at.
One of the necessities for the New York Giants in the upcoming NFL Draft is to find their quarterback of the future. Yes, even the most optimistic fan realizes they’re probably only going to get one more year out of QB Eli Manning, at best. Although Big Blue most likely will start Eli in 2019, it’s necessary to get a quarterback that can sit for their first year and develop into their starter for the 2020 season.
The general opinion is that this year’s quarterback class for the draft isn’t a strong one. However, when looking at film of these guys, you could come to the conclusion that that’s not exactly true.
That being said, here are some of the top quarterback prospects in the upcoming 2019 NFL Draft indepedent of Jints interest.
Ohio State QB Dwayne Haskins
Statistics, Measurements and Awards
Ohio State QB Dwayne Haskins doesn’t have much experience under his belt going into the NFL Draft. He only started for the Buckeyes for one year, that being this past 2018 season. However, the numbers that are tied to him don’t lie.
At 6-foot-3 and 220 pounds, Haskins showcases excellent size for an NFL quarterback, and he proved that with his statistics in 2018. He completed 70 percent of his throws for 4,831 yards and 50 touchdowns to eight interceptions through 14 games as a redshirt sophomore season. Both his number of yards and touchdowns were Ohio State and Big 10 Conference records.
This all eventually led to Haskins winning the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year, the Big Ten Quarterback of the Year, First-Team All-Big 10 honors, the Graham-George Offensive Player of the Year, the Griese-Brees Quarterback of the Year as well as a Rose Bowl champion and MVP.
Film Notes
When watching film on this first-round prospect, you can tell right away that Haskins is a good pocket passer that presents good footwork. He’s very accurate though the air and can absolutely throw the deep ball well when he needs to.
However, he’s not the most mobile quarterback and doesn’t have the quickest release either. Haskins may need an above-average offensive line to be successful in the pros, and the Giants just don’t have that right now.
If Big Blue were to take them with their No. 6 overall pick, they would also have to look to improve their offensive line. If their line doesn’t improve, Haskins may not work with the Giants.
Oklahoma QB Kyler Murray
Statistics, Measurements and Awards
At 5-foot-10 and 194 pounds, Oklahoma QB Kyler Murray isn’t the biggest quarterback in the draft. However, in 2018, he was clearly the best in the nation. Murray completed 69 percent of his passes for the Sooners, racking up 4,361 yards through the air and 42 touchdowns to seven interceptions. He also rushed for 1,001 yards on 140 carries and 12 touchdowns.
This all led to Murray receiving First Team All-American and First Team All-Big 12 honors, the AP Player of the Year, the Big 12 Player of the Year, along with receiving the Davey O’Brien award for the best quarterback and of course the Heisman Memorial Trophy.
Film Notes
From watching film of Murray from his stellar junior season in 2018, there’s not much to complain about other than his size. His height isn’t ideal for NFL quarterbacks, and is definitely an issue coming into the draft. Regardless, he still has the potential to be a first round selection.
All-in-all, Murray can do it all. He throws an accurate football, has a quick release and isn’t bad at the deep ball either. When it comes to pressure, he can get out of the pocket and extend plays. That would work well for the Giants, due to the level that their offensive line showcases. Oh, and looking at just his stats and film, it’s obvious how much of a dual-threat he is behind center.
Murray, Saquon Barkley and Odell Beckham Jr. can make for a very fast-paced offense that could become deadly if Murray develops correctly as an NFL quarterback.
Duke QB Daniel Jones
Statistics, Measurements and Awards
At 6-foot-5 and 220 pounds, Duke QB Daniel Jones shows solid size for an NFL quarterback, similarly to Haskins.
This past year in his Junior season, he completed 60.5 percent of his passes for the Blue Devils, with 2,674 yards and 22 touchdowns to nine interceptions. Jones also rushed for 319 yards on 104 carries and three touchdowns on the ground. Oh, and by the way, his college coach, David Cutcliffe, was Eli’s coach at Ole’ Miss. Just something to think about.
Film Notes
Looking at Jones’s highlights from this past season, it’s clear right away that he’s a premier pocket passer. As I said before, he has good size for someone who stays in the pocket, and also shows good pocket footwork and presence. He’s very accurate for the most part and can throw the deep ball well which would fare well with a receiver such as Beckham.
Jones isn’t as fast of a quarterback as Murray is, but he’s not a statue. He can get out of the pocket and run a little bit, but isn’t mobile to the point where it can be a disadvantage in the NFL. Jones kind of reminds me of Bills QB Josh Allen, so take that as you will. He won’t be a star his rookie year, but has a high ceiling to develop in the pros.
I see Jones going in the first round of the draft but there’s definitely a possibility he stays undrafted until the early second round.
Missouri QB Drew Lock
Statistics, Measurements and Awards
This past season proved to be a statement year for Drew Lock in his senior season at Missouri. At 6-foot-4, 225 pounds, Lock has great size and a great arm. He completed 62.9 percent of his throws this past year, racking up 3,498 yards through the air for 28 touchdowns to eight interceptions in 13 games. He also put up decent numbers on the ground, rushing for 172 yards on 55 caries for six scores.
This all led to Lock being named to the All-SEC Second Team. He also made the All-SEC First Team in 2017 as well as set the SEC single-season touchdown pass record in 2017 with 44 scores through the air.
Film Notes
Looking at film from his senior year at Missouri, it’s evident that he has a rocket of an arm. He’s great when it comes to throwing the deep ball and proves to be an accurate passer regardless of where he is on the field. Kind of like Jones at Duke, Lock has a good pocket presence but also can be a mobile quarterback at times.
He’s not the most mobile guy in the draft, but he can escape pressure and extend plays for the majority of the time. I definitely think that’s something to consider when discussing who to take at quarterback.
Lock most likely won’t be taken in the first round, but definitely could be a second or third rounder once the draft rolls around in April. He’s on my list of sleeper picks at the quarterback position.
Auburn QB Jarrett Stidham
Statistics, Measurements and Awards
Auburn QB Jarrett Stidham is one of those guys that I think is definitely being overlooked in this draft, but for good reason. He contains good aspects for a quarterbacks, but just doesn’t seem like he would be an effective quarterback in the NFL. It would also be too risky for a guy like him to be relied on to develop for the future. But, with everything, we can predict the future.
Stidham stands at 6-foot-3, 216 pounds, showing decent size. He completed 60.7 percent of his throws for Auburn this past year, with 2,794 yards and 18 touchdowns to only five interceptions through 13 games as a junior. Despite not winning any postseason awards in 2018, Stidham was selected to the All-SEC First Team in 2017.
Film Notes
Stidham proves to have a big arm, as he threw the deep ball well on numerous occasions in college. He’s a very accurate passer, especially on the run, and can escape the pocket and extend plays.
However, Stidham is a lot slower than most quarterbacks in this draft. It’s not a huge deal, but is definitely something to worry about. To me, I think that’s the main reason he’s being overlooked.
He’ll most likely slip down to a third round pick, but wouldn’t be surprised if a team were to select him in the later part of the second round.
West Virginia QB Will Grier
Statistics, Measurements and Awards
Standing at 6-foot-3, 217 pounds, West Virginia QB Will Grier has decent size, but doesn’t stand out in those regards when compared to other prospective quarterbacks. He did, however, have a very productive season for the Mountaineers in 2018.
Grier completed 67 percent of his throws for 3,864 yards and 37 touchdowns through 11 games as a senior. He also only threw eight interceptions all year. This led to him receiving Second Team All-Big 12 honors this past season.
Film Notes
Looking at film of the West Virginia quarterback, Grier proves to have a quick release when throwing the ball. He can escape the pocket at times, but not always. He would need a fantastic offensive line to succeed in the NFL, which the Giants of course don’t exactly have at the moment.
Grier’s arm strength is also an issue, as he doesn’t throw the deep ball well. In college, it seemed like he got bailed out by his receivers a multitude of times with great receptions due to under-thrown balls.
Grier should be another guy that may be taken as deep as the third round, but again, don’t be surprised if he’s a potential selection in the late second round.
Buffalo QB Tyree Jackson
Statistics, Measurements and Awards
This guy is my number one sleeper pick at the quarterback position.
Buffalo QB Tyree Jackson has phenomenal size. At 6-foot-7, 245 pounds, this dude is a monster. He’s without a doubt the biggest quarterback in the draft and may be one of the biggest guys in the draft, period.
In his junior season for Buffalo, Jackson completed 55.3 percent of his throws, racking up 3,131 yards through the air with 28 touchdowns through 14 games. He threw 12 interceptions on the year as well. Jackson also rushed for 161 yards on 55 carries for seven touchdowns. He eventually won the MAC Offensive Player of the Year award.
Film Notes
Jackson has a rocket for an arm. He’s also very accurate for the most part and can extend plays despite how big he is. Jackson does a great job setting his feet before he throws, which is a quality all NFL quarterbacks should have. He’s also very good at throwing on the run and runs the play action well, which resides greatly with his ability to get out of the pocket.
He’s not a statue either. He can be mobile when he needs to, but would probably fare better if he remains in the pocket. He’s definitely not as mobile as Murray was for Oklahoma, but he’s no Eli when it comes to that part of the game.
One thing he could improve on is that he seems to push the ball sometimes when throwing it deep. It’s not on every deep-ball throw, but can definitely become an issue at some point in the pros.
Jackson will most likely be a fourth-round selection at the earliest. But if the Giants were to spend their picks in the earlier rounds on offensive linemen and/or defensive players, they could steal Jackson in the later rounds. I’m telling you, just looking at film of this guy, it wouldn’t be a terrible idea.
Boise State QB Brett Rypien
Statistics, Measurements and Awards
At 6-foot-2, 202 pounds, Boise State QB Brett Rypien‘s size may be an issue. He’s not as small as Murray, but not as big as say, Haskins or Jackson. It may not be the biggest issue in the world, but still an issue worth looking at nonetheless.
Through 13 games during his senior year for the Broncos, Rypien completed 67.3 percent of his throws for 3,705 yards and 30 touchdowns to only seven interceptions through the air. This ultimately led to him winning the Mountain West Conference Offensive Player of the Year along with being selected to the All-MWC First Team. He was selected to the All-MWC First Team in 2015 and 2016 as well.
Film Notes
Looking at film of Rypien, it’s evident that he can step up in the pocket and throw an accurate football for the majority of the time. He also can operate well under pressure and proves to be a good play action quarterback.
Rypien isn’t as accurate as the other quarterbacks in the draft, but one thing that makes him a good prospect is his quick release. That’s proved to be a good trait for NFL quarterback’s in the past, and can’t be something that’s overlooked when scouting him.
Like Jackson, Rypien may slip back to the fourth round of the NFL Draft at the earliest.
