Daniel Jones
(AP Photo / Jim Young)

Daniel Jones isn’t listening to the criticism being hurled at the New York Giants for selecting the Duke quarterback at No. 6.

When the New York Giants selected quarterback Daniel Jones out of Duke with the No. 6 pick, eyebrows were raised. The general opinion was that the Giants reached for him. Big Blue could’ve possibly selected him with their No. 17 pick in the first round. However, the selection is in and Jones has the potential to be Eli Manning‘s full-time successor.

Giants general manager Dave Gettleman felt the need to back up his decision, as he mentioned a “fan interaction” gave him the idea that he made the right selection. However, the draft pick himself is taking a different route.

In an interview with SiriusXM NFL Radio (per Dan Salamone of Giants.com, Jones mentioned he isn’t looking into the criticism of the draft pick.

“I haven’t paid too much mind to that,” Jones said. “I think that’s key to playing quarterback, to being consistent as a quarterback, is keeping your head in the same place. I think that just comes down to your confidence in yourself, and your confidence has got to come from inside of you. I think if you’re looking externally for confidence, then you’re also going to be affected by the negative as well. Just finding confidence in yourself and knowing what you can do as a player, as a person, is kind of the way that works and the best way to think about handling a lot of that stuff.”

Gettleman mentioned after the draft that they could go with the “Green Bay model” when it comes to Jones. That would mean Manning would continue to be the Giants quarterback for multiple years before Jones gets the nod. Whether that happens is still unclear. Regardless, the general notion is that Jones won’t play a whole lot his rookie year.

Along with kind of looking like Manning, Jones already shows shades of Eli when it comes to attitude. Manning has dealt with the New York media for 15 years now. He’s handled himself with class throughout his career. Jones seems like he’s on the path to doing the same.

Ryan Honey is a staff writer and host of the Wide Right Podcast.