New York Giants are most favored team to get a new QB in 2019

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – SEPTEMBER 30: Eli Manning #10 of the New York Giants looks to pass during the first quarter against the New Orleans Saints at MetLife Stadium on September 30, 2018 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

The quarterback landscape is unusually calm around the NFL at present, but that could change in the near future for the New York Giants.

GM Dave Gettleman was hired by the organization to fix the problems left behind by the previous regime. That meant he had a choice to make. Does he just completely blow the roster up and start from scratch or does he try to retool it as quickly as possible for one more crack at the Super Bowl? His decision became clear when the team drafted Saquon Barkley with the #1 overall pick.

That meant the Giants were riding 2018 with veteran Eli Manning. It seemed Gettleman was convinced if he could improve the coaching, the offensive line and the rushing attack that he could ease the burden on the longtime veteran. So far the results of that effort are mixed, but most remain unconvinced that Manning will ever regain his old magic from a few years ago.

This might explain why ESPN experts, when polled about which team they believe will draft a quarterback in the 1st round next year, were almost unanimous in their decision. Manning, with his age and erratic play combined with the growing likelihood the team picks high again makes it a fairly strong case.

Giants expected to end the Manning era in the 2019 draft

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Much of this depends on the man at the top. Gettleman seems like the type who is hesitant to spend a high pick on quarterbacks because such a move can set back a franchise for years if wrong. Still, the arguments in favor of such a decision grow by the day.

"“Bowen: Giants. With rookies Sam Darnold, Josh Allen, Mayfield and Rosen already getting valuable reps, we have to look at veteran QBs. That’s why I’m focused on Eli Manning in New York. The Giants could be picking in the top 10 again next year, and developing a young QB in game action under Pat Shurmur would allow the Giants to move on from Manning, who will be 38 at the start of the 2019 season.Yates: Giants. Let’s work through this with a bit of process of elimination: Teams with top quarterbacks are out (why make the change?), and teams with first- or second-year quarterbacks drafted in the top round are out (too much invested). The list thins out quickly. While Manning has not played poorly this season, the Giants could have easily been in the quarterback market this past offseason. If overall struggles persist, it would put the G-Men in position to draft a top-regarded prospect in 2019.”"

The 2019 draft class might be one of the most interesting in recent memory. There’s a lot of physical talent in the group, that much is true. However, there’s a bit of a wild card feel to it as well. No slam dunks like many felt were in the previous few classes. Right now Justin Herbert of Oregon headlines the group and might be the most consistent. He also might be the only one that ends up going in the 1st round. Could the Giants be the team that pulls the trigger?

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