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ESPN analyst Louis Riddick would choose running back Saquon Barkley with the No. 2 overall pick were he running the New York Giants. I also predicted Barkley would be their selection in my minimock, and both of us had Bradley Chubb as the other contender. Barkley and Chubb appear to be the top options. They're just not the only options. The quarterback door shouldn’t be completely closed. It’s possible the Giants land a top quarterback, especially if the Cleveland Browns decide to take Josh Allen. The Giants are, at the very least, open to the possibility and compiling as much information as possible. Southern California’s Sam Darnold wrapped his visit with the Giants in New Jersey on Tuesday afternoon. That’s when Allen arrived for dinner. Allen, the fourth of the perceived top four quarterbacks to make top-30 visits ahead of this year’s draft, is scheduled to visit Wednesday at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center. In the end, the lure of finding a franchise quarterback with the No. 2 pick could be too strong for the Giants. After all, Eli Manning will be 38 years old around season's end and last year’s third-round pick Davis Webb is considered a relative unknown after not taking a single snap as a rookie. This is generally considered a strong quarterback draft, and the odds are that at least one or two will pan out and reach their potential. It’s the Giants’ job to decipher which one and decide whether to pull the trigger. The belief among more than a few evaluators is that five quarterbacks (Darnold, Allen, Baker Mayfield, Josh Rosen, Lamar Jackson) will be taken in the first 20 selections next Thursday night. Depending on how it plays out, one could land with the Giants. Darnold and Rosen are the most realistic options. Allen is a long shot. Mayfield seems unlikely. Jackson would stun the world. Let’s look at the positives and negatives of each of the big four: (Listed from most likely to least likely for the Giants) Sam Darnold, Southern California  Why he fits: He’s the youngest quarterback of the bunch. He “has the makeup that you like,” according to a personnel executive. That’s important for any team, but especially for the Giants entering Year 15 with Manning, the ultimate face of the franchise. Darnold’s ability to make plays outside the pocket -- he led all Power 5 quarterbacks with 781 yards passing that way -- is also ideal for a team that doesn’t have a strong offensive line in place and in a league that now demands quarterbacks make plays on the move. Darnold also led all Division I quarterbacks with 1,138 yards passing under pressure, an impressive stat. Jackson was second with 1,073.
Why he doesn’t: The turnovers. It’s one of the few things not to like about Darnold. He had 22 turnovers (13 interceptions, nine lost fumbles) in 2017. He threw 20 interceptions in his final 20 collegiate games. Can this be fixed through repetition? Can it be overlooked? Manning has 279 career turnovers in 216 career games and the Giants certainly don’t look back and regret making him the No. 1 overall pick in 2004. Josh Rosen, UCLA  Why he fits: Rosen is the most natural thrower in the draft. He’s the “most ready” and “knows how to play,” according to a coach. Coach Pat Shurmur’s offense could incorporate everything since there isn’t a throw that Rosen can’t make. It would make the Giants’ offense dangerous moving forward. Rosen throwing to Odell Beckham Jr., Sterling Shepard and Evan Engram could be scary.
Why he doesn’t: There are some concerns about Rosen’s leadership ability and build. The latter has already led to an injury history. That makes him a bit riskier an investment than Darnold. Rosen also doesn’t have the mobility and didn’t fare well at UCLA when under pressure. He threw just two touchdown passes last season under pressure. Mayfield threw nine, Jackson had eight, Allen seven and Darnold six. Josh Allen, Wyoming  Why he fits: He has the huge arm and mental acumen Shurmur can work with and mold. Allen had the highest Wonderlic score (37) of the top quarterbacks, according to The Athletic’s John Middlekauff. Shurmur also noted his size and toughness were impressive. Allen needs time to develop, and he could sit behind Manning for a year or two without an outcry for him to get on the field. It's assumed he's nowhere near ready and is a long-term bet.
Why he doesn’t: Allen has a long ways to go as a quarterback. "Not a good player" right now is how one evaluator explained. Allen may be too much of a projection for the No. 2 overall pick. His accuracy (56 percent completion rate) is a concern. He also has an injury history that can’t be completely overlooked. Baker Mayfield, Oklahoma  Why he fits: Mayfield can ball. He can make all the timing throws necessary in Shurmur’s offense. Actually, Mayfield is identical in size to Case Keenum -- both are 6-foot-1, 215 pounds. Keenum blossomed last season in Shurmur’s offense, leading the NFL by completing 67 percent of his passes, with six touchdowns outside the pocket. That became a staple in Minnesota’s offense getting Keenum on the move. Mayfield was among the NCAA leaders with 627 yards passing and six touchdowns outside the pocket.
Why he doesn’t: Mayfield is brash and overconfident. Some might even say cocky. He wants to play right away and his presence alone would put pressure on Manning and the new coaching staff the second there were struggles. Mayfield's combustibility alongside the fiery Beckham could also be problematic. Mayfield comes with some maturity issues, and while his past indiscretions aren't much different than what you see from most college kids, it doesn’t appear he's a natural fit with the Giants’ conservative ownership.
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