Yes, Eli is still here, but QB a Giant draft priority

The NFL’s business seemingly never stops.

Free agency just exploded, the Jets made a blockbuster draft trade that could impact the Giants, the NFL’s owners meetings are upcoming in Orlando next weekend, and then the NFL draft awaits in late April.

We’re here to answer all of your Giants questions as the non-stop football news cycle churns on in this weeks Giants Mailbag. Thanks to all of the fans and readers who submitted questions.

Question from @kevin61934871: “Will the giants take a QB?” Followed by a related question from @robin_millett: “Hi, why do people relentlessly question about another QB, when they know the QB is staying (without a doubt) #NYG ????? ”

Robin, the reason fans like Kevin are asking about the Giants taking a quarterback is that regardless of the franchise’s public support of Eli Manning, the two-time Super Bowl-winning QB unquestionably regressed last season — even accounting for dropped passes and receiver injuries. And though the Giants did not want to go 3-13 last season, they are now fortunate enough to be in a perfect position with the No. 2 overall pick to draft a franchise quarterback at exactly the time they need a new one. Davis Webb, last year’s third-round pick, could be Manning’s successor, too. But the Giants made a colossal mistake by not giving him any playing time last season, which at least would have put Webb on film in real games for GM Dave Gettleman and coach Pat Shurmur to analyze. Remember, exGM Jerry Reese drafted Webb last year for a reason: it was time to think about Life After Eli. NFL teams that lack a franchise quarterback end up on a never-ending quest to find one (just ask the Jets). Manning’s durability and longevity as the Giants’ franchise QB since the middle of his 2004 rookie season is an example of what the Giants — and any NFL franchise — are looking for in their next franchise QB. Where did the Giants get a quarterback who could be their permanent starter for most of 14 seasons? At the top of the 2004 draft. And yes, Kevin, I think the Giants take a QB.

Question from @chris_lentini: “Do you think Ernie Accorsi has any input on A) if the Giants pick a QB and B) which QB they will pick?”

Chris, this is a smart question that adds to my answer to Robin’s query. Accorsi, who swung that draft day deal for Manning, is not in the Giants’ front office anymore. But Accorsi is very close with Gettleman (he consulted on the Giants’ hiring of Gettleman as GM in December; and Gettleman mentioned at the Combine that he’d been speaking with Accorsi during this free agency/draft evaluation process). And Accorsi has a history of prioritizing the QB position. He made the blockbuster 2004 draft day trade for Manning, who’d been drafted at No. 1 overall. He drafted John Elway for the Baltimore Colts at No. 1 overall in 1983 (owner Robert Irsay then traded Elway to Denver without telling Accorsi). Elway won two Super Bowls and is in the Hall of Fame. And Accorsi maneuvered to draft Bernie Kosar No. 1 overall in the 1985 supplemental draft when he was the GM in Cleveland. You get the picture: Accorsi values QBs at the top of the draft. As far as which QB? I’m sure Accorsi will provide his input on the specific QBs when Gettleman asks for it, but this is Gettleman’s career and his dream job and it is his pick to make.

Question from @BigPastyGuy: “Any ideas on the reasoning behind Stewart signing? Pass blocking help? Character? I’ve never heard of a rb mentor, so that’s all I’ve got.. thanks.”

Jonny, you are correct that the whole idea of a player being a “mentor” is often overrated and overblown. Gettleman needs to add positive influences to steady a poisoned locker room culture, his priority needs to be adding players who help the team win. There were plenty of running backs on the market who could have helped the Giants more than Jonathan Stewart. They never would have paid for the Vikings’ Jerick McKinnon, who got almost $8 million a year at four years, $30 million from the 49ers. But I did think they’d have a strong chance of landing the Patriots’ Dion Lewis, who they reportedly pursued but lost to the Titans on almost $5 million a year at four years, $19.8 million. Giving Stewart $2.95 million guaranteed was mighty curious, even though the second season is an option year. What Stewart’s signing does is reinforce that the Giants’ plan is to draft a running back.