By AARON MARASIA
The New York Giants and New York Jets hope to change the fate of their teams with the second and third picks, respectively in this year’s NFL draft. Both teams had unsuccessful seasons, with the Giants going 3-13 and the Jets 5-11. The Giants had the second worst record in the league, only behind the Cleveland Browns who have the first and fourth picks and did not win a game the entire 2017-2018 season. The Jets originally had the sixth overall pick, but traded that, along with three second round picks, two in this year’s draft and one in next year’s draft, to the Indianapolis Colts for the third overall selection.
Both the Giants and the Jets have kept their top draft choices very private and many top prospects have been linked to both teams. This draft is quarterback-heavy including the 2017 Heisman Trophy winner Baker Mayfield, 2016 Heisman Trophy winner Lamar Jackson, University of Southern California’s Sam Darnold, University of California, Los Angeles’s Josh Rosen, and University of Wyoming’s Josh Allen all expected to be drafted in the first round. In reason seasons, both the Giants and the Jets have had problems at the quarterback position. The Giants’ current quarterback Eli Manning is 37 years old and only has one year left on his
contract. He has been in decline for several years and was benched for a game last season. In last year’s draft the Giants drafted quarterback Davis Webb in the third round. The Jets have quarterback Josh McCown who was announced as training camp starter by head coach Todd Bowles. They also signed former Minnesota Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater this offseason. On draft night the Giants and Jets both have big decisions to make on their quarterback situations.
The Giants have also been linked with other non-quarterback prospects. Penn State running back Saquon Barkley has been associated with the Giants throughout the offseason. Recently, he was photographed wearing a Giants sweatshirt. North Carolina State defensive end, Bradley Chubb is also rumored to be the in the mix for the Giants’ pick. The Giants traded their longtime defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul this offseason. Jericho High School freshman Matthew L. thinks that the Giants are going to trade down and accumulate more picks, but he said, “I would like the Giants to take Josh Rosen.” Giants fan, freshman Austin B. wants the Giants to draft Saquon Barkley because “the Giants haven’t had a good running back in X amount of years.”
Several sports reporters expect the Jets to draft star Oklahoma University quarterback Baker Mayfield. Sophomore Matt R. agrees. “I think the Jets will draft Baker Mayfield because he is an experienced quarterback who played four years in college and is very accurate with his throw,” he said. Other analysts think that University of California, Los Angeles quarterback Josh Rosen will be the Jets’ third overall pick. Freshman Jade S. is hopeful. “I want the Jets to draft Josh Rosen because they need a good quarterback,” she said. In recent media reports teams have questioned Rosen’s character and think that his draft stock is dropping and he could fall into the middle of the first round. Other experts think that character is not a problem and he will still be a top five pick.
With a handful of franchise-caliber players, this year’s first round will have a huge impact for future seasons of both the Giants and Jets. No matter who is drafted, New York fans hope that their teams’ picks will be game changing.
Media not working? Click here.