NFL teams
Jordan Raanan, ESPN Staff Writer 6y

Davis Webb has support as Giants contemplate drafting QB

T-minus four days until the 2018 NFL draft. It's a big one for the New York Giants. They're picking second overall and face a decision that could determine the overall success of the franchise for the next decade.

To select a quarterback or not? That is the question.

It will be answered soon enough. In the meantime, some observations and whispers.

The Davis Webb factor

As the Giants are on the clock at No. 2, you have to wonder how much Webb plays into the equation. He was a third-round pick last year by the previous regime and has impressed since with his work ethic and preparation. Still, nobody has seen him take an NFL snap. It would appear Webb is a virtual unknown.

But with Eli Manning and Webb on the roster, it's possible the Giants are more comfortable with their short- and long-term future than those outside the organization. New coach Pat Shurmur said Manning has "years left" despite being 37 and on the decline. New general manager Dave Gettleman has been equally adamant that the two-time Super Bowl winner has something left in the tank.

What Shurmur and Gettleman really think about Webb is shrouded in mystery. When the Giants hold their first minicamp of the season from Tuesday to Thursday, it will be their first opportunity to see Webb on the field with their own eyes. How Webb performs will be monitored closely, but it won't affect their already determined draft board.

"Nothing is going to totally change the top of the board," said Gettleman, a self-proclaimed film junkie. "Seeing Davis next week is going to be fun for us because he's a great kid, he works his fanny off, he has been following Eli around like a little puppy dog since he walked in the door, and it will be a neat opportunity to see him play.

"Yeah, sure, everything affects the board. I'd be lying if I said no, but at the end of the day, I'm looking forward to it."

Gettleman isn't going to knock Sam Darnold, Josh Allen or Josh Rosen down a few pegs just because Webb had a strong practice in shorts and shoulder pads hours before the draft. More likely, what the team feels about his prospects was determined long ago.

It doesn't hurt that one of Webb's biggest supporters in last year's draft is still in the building. President of player evaluation Chris Mara (who is also part of the ownership group) was perhaps the strongest voice on Webb last year.

The Giants ended up with Webb with the No. 87 pick even though the coaches were especially high on Patrick Mahomes. He went 10th overall to the Kansas City Chiefs.

But the Giants were never going to draft Mahomes because the front office wasn't nearly as high on the Texas Tech quarterback. They were also split on Webb.

This is a glimpse of how the Giants operate. They have a lot of cooks in the kitchen who often have differing views on players.

That's likely the case with this year's quarterback class as well. Each of the top prospects is unique. Gettleman compared it to shopping at Ben & Jerry's, and it could make it difficult to come to a consensus, especially with Manning and Webb still on the roster with support within the building.

No. 1 pick uncertainty

What the Cleveland Browns do at No. 1 likely directly affects the Giants' selection. The common belief is it's between Darnold and Allen. I also wouldn't completely rule out Baker Mayfield knowing full well that Scot McCloughan is serving as a consultant to general manager John Dorsey. McCloughan is on record earlier this year saying Mayfield is the best quarterback in this draft.

Difficulty of trading down

The No. 2 pick is desirable, especially for teams that want a quarterback. The Browns at No. 1 and New York Jets at No. 3 are almost certainly going in that direction. So if a team wants a specific quarterback, the Giants' pick is where they want to land.

Except the Giants are going to ask for a major haul. Multiple first-round picks -- and more. It's going to be difficult for anyone to meet their demands. They might be best waiting the Giants out considering the Browns at No. 4 aren't likely to take a quarterback and the No. 5 and No. 6 picks are available to the highest bidder.

Both the Denver Broncos and Indianapolis Colts have been talking to teams about moving down in exchange for more picks. This hurts the Giants' leverage for the No. 2 overall selection.

Guards going high

This is considered a really strong draft for interior offensive linemen. Multiple personnel evaluators believe there will be at least four guards and centers taken in the first round. Notre Dame's Quenton Nelson, Georgia's Isaiah Wynn, UTEP's Will Hernandez and Arkansas' Frank Ragnow are the most likely.

Nevada's Austin Corbett, Iowa's James Daniels, and Ohio State's Billy Price also could go anywhere from late first to early second round. There is lots of talent to be had on the interior of the offensive line.

Future of Flowers

Don't be surprised to hear about the Giants possibly trying to move tackle Ereck Flowers during the draft. He hasn't been at the offseason workout program this spring, and it doesn't appear that has been particularly well received.

Even with one year remaining on his rookie contract it might not be feasible to move the 2015 first-round pick. He's due $2.4 million this year and has a questionable track record.

"I wouldn't mess with him," one personnel executive with an NFC team said. "I wouldn't want him in the building. Sounds like he's not worth the trouble."

Another punter?

The Giants traded for punter Riley Dixon on Friday. It cost them a conditional seventh-round draft pick next year. It still might not prevent them from adding another punter after the draft.

The Giants did a lot of pre-draft work on punters this year. They had private workouts with a bunch of the top prospects in what is considered a strong draft for punters. It's still possible they add a punter after the draft and bring him in to compete with Dixon for the job. The "conditional" part of the seventh-round pick they sent to Denver likely allows them to do that.

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