The Giants’ quarterback/running back thing appears to be solved.
The best the 2019 Giants can do is to finish with a 5-11 record if they beat the Eagles next Sunday. And while that represents a huge disappointment for those in the building who believed this team was set for better things, it’s safe to say that, at least at the quarterback and running back positions, things are working out pretty well.
General manager Dave Gettleman got all kinds of wrongheaded heat for selecting Duke quarterback Daniel Jones with the sixth overall pick. I was among those who thought the pick was a massive overdraft, and I’ll be just as willing to eat my words based on Jones’ overall performance in his rookie season. Jones threw five touchdown passes against the Redskins in a 41-35 overtime win, marking the third time this season he’s thrown at least four touchdown passes in a game. And outside of a three-interception stinker against the Packers, there hasn’t been a game where he looked outmatched. With Big Blue’s iffy offensive line and cadre of receivers, that’s fairly impressive.
Gettleman was also pilloried by those who believe running backs are fungible in the modern NFL when he took Penn State back Saquon Barkley with the second overall pick in the 2018 draft. Barkley led the league in yards from scrimmage in his rookie campaign, and while his effect has been muted by injuries this season, he absolutely torched Washington’s vulnerable defense on Sunday with 189 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries, and four receptions for 90 yards and another touchdown.
Gettleman still has a lot of team-building to do, and his hit rate isn’t optimal at times, but he struck gold on these two controversial picks.