Owner open on draft scenarios
ORLANDO, Fla. — John Mara does not know who the Giants will take with the No. 2 pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, but he did say something quite interesting Sunday morning:
“I always admired the way the Packers handled it with Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers, so that’s a factor,’’ Mara said at the NFL owners’ meetings.
The Packers selected Rodgers late in the first round (24th overall) of the 2005 draft, with Favre already deeply established as the franchise quarterback in Green Bay. Rodgers sat three full seasons as Favre’s backup before the changing of the guard, which led to plenty of acrimony as Favre departed.
If the Giants take a quarterback with the second overall pick, it could lead to some bruised feelings, with Eli Manning returning at 37 years old for his 15th season with the Giants and his replacement lurking on the roster. In this day and age in the NFL, a quarterback picked No. 2 in the draft is expected to play far sooner than later.
“I think a lot of times that’s unavoidable in this sport,’’ Mara said of hurting the feelings of the incumbent quarterback. “You have to make decisions that are in the long-term best interests of the franchise. If feelings get hurt, you try not to do that, but if they do, they do.’’
Mara said it is too early in the evaluation process to know who the Giants are targeting and, ultimately, who they will take the night of April 26.
“You want to know who we’re going to pick? We don’t,’’ Mara said. “You can give me eight different scenarios and I can tell you that it’s a possibility.
“Believe me when I tell you, I don’t know if we’re taking a quarterback.’’
The Browns with the No. 1 pick are expected to take a quarterback, most likely Sam Darnold. The Giants are doing thorough investigations and evaluations of all the top quarterbacks, meeting with Darnold, Josh Rosen and Josh Allen.
“They’re all important picks, but the No. 2 pick in the draft is an important pick that can have a huge effect on the future of this franchise so you have to make the right decision,’’ Mara said. “The way I look at it is it’s an opportunity for us to get a lot better, being able to pick at the top of each of these rounds and particularly with the amount of quality at the top of this draft, it gives us a chance to do something.’’
As far as trading down in the draft to acquire additional picks, Mara said, “The way I look at that, if we wanted to do that, tell me who we’re gonna get with these other picks and then compare that with the person we could have got with the second pick and then let’s see which scenario’s gonna make us better.’’
That the Giants attended all the pro days of the top quarterbacks, dined with them and likely will bring them to the team facility for official visits is telling, but not revealing.
“Obviously we’re thinking about a quarterback because there are a lot of good quarterbacks, but there are a lot of good players at other positions also,’’ Mara said. “I wouldn’t draw any conclusions about that.’’
There is a belief in many circles the Giants, picking this high in the draft, must come away with Manning’s successor.
“Well, we may have one on the roster right now, I just don’t know that yet,’’ Mara said, referring to Davis Webb. “I think if we end up having a conviction about a quarterback, then that’s certainly would be something we’d have to strongly consider, if not, then take the next best player or deal [the pick].’’
It is expected when the Giants put their draft board together Saquon Barkley will be rated as their top player.
“I certainly don’t think it’s too high to take a running back,’’ Mara said of the No. 2 pick. He also agreed the Giants, “could use some additional talent’’ at the running-back position.