The NFL scouting combine is in the rearview mirror and free agency is on the horizon. The New York Giants and the rest of the NFL can begin negotiating with players Monday. Deals can be finalized Wednesday. Get ready for a whirlwind of action.
Before it all begins, let's empty the mailbag:
How do you think Giants address LT ? #GiantsAfterDark
— Alan Backman (@alancbackman2) March 11, 2018
Here's what we know: The Giants aren't going to hand Ereck Flowers the starting left tackle job like they had done the previous few seasons. They've told people it's possible they have five new starters this year. At the very least, they are going to add competition. Nate Solder is the best left tackle on the market, but he's likely too expensive if the Giants also sign Andrew Norwell (see below). The likelihood is they add a second-tier tackle in free agency (maybe the Pittsburgh Steelers' Chris Hubbard) and a tackle in the draft and see how it shakes out. The free agent, Flowers, the rookie and Chad Wheeler would then be given opportunities to start. This is how I see it playing out.
What is the percentage the giants sign Norwell #GiantsAfterDark
— Perc Nowitzki (@mark_giacchi) March 10, 2018
I would say 85 percent. Yes, that high. This is where everything seems to be headed, minus some random team going above and beyond (maybe in the $15 million per season range?) to land his services. Norwell has the connection to the new regime, the pedigree as an All Pro this past season and fits with what general manager Dave Gettleman is trying to accomplish with the offensive line. The perception around the league is that the Giants are clear front runners to land the former Carolina Panthers left guard.
Any feel on how the new regime views Webb compared to this years QB crop? #GiantsAfterDark
— Christopher Buono (@ChristopherBuo4) March 10, 2018
It is hard to tell. The Giants are still in the process of evaluating the draft's top quarterbacks. They will have private workouts with most, if not all, and really get to know them better over the next month or so. As Gettleman explained, the combine is more speed dating than anything. The new brass has gotten to know Davis Webb and has been impressed by everything they see. They just only know so much about him as a player. He didn't play a single snap last season and they didn't even see him practice live. They've gone through the practice tape and his college tape but it's hard to imagine they would view him as a potential top-10 pick in this year's draft. When all is said and done, the Giants are likely to find one of this year's group they believe can be a franchise quarterback and is worthy of a top-10 pick.
I have a 2 part question jordan. Do you think the browns will take a QB #1 despite trading for taylor and every media expert saying Barkley is a no brainer pick at #1 AND Will the Giants take darnold or Rosen if Barkley is taken by cleveland? #GiantsAfterDark
— Jorge Alicea (@Giantsmets4life) March 10, 2018
My gut still says after all this wheeling and dealing by the Cleveland Browns that they will take Sam Darnold first overall in this year's draft. It would be irresponsible for the Browns to pass on their preferred quarterback. Considering their history it would be way too risky to wait for one with the No. 4 pick, because what if quarterbacks are drafted second and third? Then the Browns might be forced to settle for their third choice at QB? Seems like a flawed approach. It's unlikely they have three of the four top quarterbacks graded evenly or that highly. The caveat is if the Browns take Saquon Barkley and then plan to trade up to get their quarterback at No. 2 or 3. That would seem to be a possibility.
And yes, I can see the Giants taking Darnold at No. 2 if he's available. He's talented and the most polished of all the quarterback prospects. He's the quarterback I view as the most likely to be drafted by the Giants at this point.
Do you think its possible with all the talk on how Eli has years left and the fact they traded two picks from this years draft they trade out and stockpile picks to better the team? #GiantsAfterDark
— michael trainor (@ceorock35) March 10, 2018
It's certainly a quality option. The Giants should be looking further down the road than at the present. Remember, they are installing a new offense and defense this season and coming off a 3-13 season. Except this doesn't appear to be where they are headed. The moves they've made this offseason make it seem they are trying to win now more than anything. Think it's more likely they try to get that "franchise-changing" player they've talked about to make an immediate impact than stockpile picks, which would be more of a looking-at-the-future move.