Hypothetical 2018 draft question

He was the only player I would have taken over Saquan.

as a franchise guy. If they did, picking him would have been a no-brainer. We’ll never know

Barkley was exactly as advertised but I would have taken Mayfield in that scenario.

how many QBs have we seen have decent rookie years only to flame out as the NFL adapts to their gameplay in years 2/3? Saquan is far more likely to continue to put up better numbers over the next few years.

were Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson. I would have been happy with Darnold, Mayfield, or Rosen as I felt all three had franchise QB upside.

In comment 14280832 Dodge said:

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He was the only player I would have taken over Saquan.

I agree, but half of BBI would've taken Allen/Rosen over Barkley too.

And at least one poster would've taken Lamar Jackson #1 overall...

I think the Giants were taking SB no matter what...but...perhaps the interest in SB was smoke to get the Browns to trade down.

That would have left Mayfield available for the Giants...

We'll never know, but its possible (especially looking at it in hindsight).

...hands down.

Giants are still looking for a long-term solution at QB.

Right now, we have a short-term stop gap in Eli Manning.

Saquon Barkley may well be a first ballot Hall of Famer one day, but Baker Mayfield has to be the pick at #2.

Zero doubt about that.

Z.E.R.O.

but Mayfield would be the choice.

success he did playing behind the Giants oline?

I look at it as investing. You invest in people. Barkley is a nobrainer. Mayfield had a great rookie year, there is no denying that. Yes, QB is the most important position in sports. But Mayfield's attitude just bothers me. He'd be a walking distraction here. Look at Odell. People go nuts over every little thing he does. Mayfield cannot help himself. What is the phrase, "Losing reveals character"? For all intents and purposes Mayfield had a fantastic year and Cleveland won more games this year than the last X amount of years combined. And, yet, there were still comments made that shouldn't have been made. I think he was right in his mentality when Colin Cowherd was being a dick but the reaction is not what you want. It is too easy for people to get under his skin. Then the whole Hue Jackson bullshit. We get it. He didn't like Hud but leave it at that. Throwing comments out in the media isn't the right thing to do. I cannot imagine what he will do when the expectations are high amd they fall short.

among Darnold, Rosen and him. I was undecided between Darnold and Saquon.

You could argue that the Browns made a blunder. With the 1st and 4th picks, they could have taken Saquon at 1, and still had a choice of a quarterback at 4. We know Darnold would have been off the table, because the Jets were certain to take him if the Giants didn't, but that would still have left Mayfield or Rosen. Is Mayfield that big a difference maker over Rosen or Darnold that they needed to take him with the first pick?

In comment 14280949 Gruber said:

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You could argue that the Browns made a blunder. With the 1st and 4th picks, they could have taken Saquon at 1, and still had a choice of a quarterback at 4. We know Darnold would have been off the table, because the Jets were certain to take him if the Giants didn't, but that would still have left Mayfield or Rosen. Is Mayfield that big a difference maker over Rosen or Darnold that they needed to take him with the first pick?

You don't play games if there's a QB you like. If they go SB at #1, who's to say the Giants don't take Mayfield or Darnold? Or maybe with Mayfield on the board and SB gone, the Giants are more open to trading back. Then Cleveland could get stuck with their 3rd choice QB.

In comment 14280949 Gruber said:

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You could argue that the Browns made a blunder. With the 1st and 4th picks, they could have taken Saquon at 1, and still had a choice of a quarterback at 4. We know Darnold would have been off the table, because the Jets were certain to take him if the Giants didn't, but that would still have left Mayfield or Rosen. Is Mayfield that big a difference maker over Rosen or Darnold that they needed to take him with the first pick?

You cannot say that. Nobody seriously considered Mayfield number 1 until shortly before the dtaft and well after the Jets traded for 3. In fact, most people felt the Jets were upset that Mayfield went 1 and "settled" for Darnold.

It is fairly certain that the Browns would definitely have no shot at Mayfield at 4. You don't mess around and play games when you believe a player is a franchise QB.

what the Giants draft board looked like to know the answer to that question.

In comment 14280832 Dodge said:

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He was the only player I would have taken over Saquan.

I really liked Mayfield coming out, but I also liked Rosen. I'd have been ecstatic if we took Mayfield... however in hindsight I'm not sure I could give up Saquan. He is easily my favorite Giants player since Lawrence Taylor.

and what if Eleanor Roosevelt could fly?

I believe there is a lot of upside with him. That said no one can be disappointed with our RB either. Saquon was just great. Either way I would be happy.

In comment 14280949 Gruber said:

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You could argue that the Browns made a blunder. With the 1st and 4th picks, they could have taken Saquon at 1, and still had a choice of a quarterback at 4. We know Darnold would have been off the table, because the Jets were certain to take him if the Giants didn't, but that would still have left Mayfield or Rosen. Is Mayfield that big a difference maker over Rosen or Darnold that they needed to take him with the first pick?

The Jets would have taken Mayfield.

In comment 14280907 robbieballs2003 said:

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I look at it as investing. You invest in people. Barkley is a nobrainer. Mayfield had a great rookie year, there is no denying that. Yes, QB is the most important position in sports. But Mayfield's attitude just bothers me. He'd be a walking distraction here. Look at Odell. People go nuts over every little thing he does. Mayfield cannot help himself. What is the phrase, "Losing reveals character"? For all intents and purposes Mayfield had a fantastic year and Cleveland won more games this year than the last X amount of years combined. And, yet, there were still comments made that shouldn't have been made. I think he was right in his mentality when Colin Cowherd was being a dick but the reaction is not what you want. It is too easy for people to get under his skin. Then the whole Hue Jackson bullshit. We get it. He didn't like Hud but leave it at that. Throwing comments out in the media isn't the right thing to do. I cannot imagine what he will do when the expectations are high amd they fall short.

+1

Robbie, I could not have said this any better. In the end, I think Mayfield would get eaten alive by the fans and the New York media, if things go south. Don't think Mayfield would survive the pressure.

but I love Baker 'when I woke up this morning I was feeling pretty dangerous' Mayfield too

If I were the GM I'd have confidence I would get a top-tier QB. Whether he pans out is another story but between this past year and going forward, I would be committed to getting in the top picks of 2020 at least.

I wouldn't have gone after Solder nor Ogeltree. I wouldn't have been a player in FA if I wasn't trying to win. And I would have traded Shephard as well to acquire another pick etc.

And I do think Mayfield would be fine in NY. Anyone who doesn't think so imo just has extreme personal bias.

Barkley may o down as one of the top 3 or so greatest RB's I've seen in my lifetime. If you are committed to get him a qb with an OL- you'll win a lot.

what kinda dope argues with his owner over a punter!

the accolades for RG3 and Kap after their rookie years. Lets see how the whole Mayfield thing plays out before saying NYG should have taken him if he were available.

Hard to root for. But i would have if he was the selection. Much easier for me to root for Barkley and Eli combo.

Mayfield was just a whisper on BBI.....and then once the Browns took him, many jumped on board......

Until a day or two before the draft, not many were predicting the Browns to take Mayfield, not even the talking heads....

In comment 14281143 rasbutant said:

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Hard to root for. But i would have if he was the selection. Much easier for me to root for Barkley and Eli combo.

"I don't care for" his attitude...

Any of Mayfield, Darnold, Chubb, or Nelson would have made more sense as the pick.

In comment 14281145 Doomster said:

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Mayfield was just a whisper on BBI.....and then once the Browns took him, many jumped on board...... Until a day or two before the draft, not many were predicting the Browns to take Mayfield, not even the talking heads....

I thought a few people liked him. How could you not? The guy has always been a winner and had ridiculous stats. That said if I was a betting man, I thought the Browns were going to take Saquon and I figured we were taking either Darnold or Rosen. I was never a fan of Darnold but I would have been OK with any of Saquon, Mayfield, or Rosen with the pick.

And THAT said... I love Saquon. Again my favorite player out of the gate since LT. I am very glad he's a Giant.

In comment 14281145 Doomster said:

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Mayfield was just a whisper on BBI.....and then once the Browns took him, many jumped on board...... Until a day or two before the draft, not many were predicting the Browns to take Mayfield, not even the talking heads....

Once the Browns traded for Tyrod Taylor, Dave Te said in a podcast that he was now certain the Browns would take Mayfield. Dave was right!

In comment 14281151 Go Terps said:

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Any of Mayfield, Darnold, Chubb, or Nelson would have made more sense as the pick.

I'd throw in Josh Allen as well.

In comment 14281013 Deejboy said:

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In comment 14280949 Gruber said: Quote: You could argue that the Browns made a blunder. With the 1st and 4th picks, they could have taken Saquon at 1, and still had a choice of a quarterback at 4. We know Darnold would have been off the table, because the Jets were certain to take him if the Giants didn't, but that would still have left Mayfield or Rosen. Is Mayfield that big a difference maker over Rosen or Darnold that they needed to take him with the first pick? The Jets would have taken Mayfield.

No they wouldn't have. And all of the Jets fans thought they were targeting Mayfield. But SI did have a write-up regarding the Jets process the entire way, and they were targeting Darnold and would've never taken Mayfield. fwiw Francesa was saying that too.

In comment 14281145 Doomster said:

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Mayfield was just a whisper on BBI.....and then once the Browns took him, many jumped on board...... Until a day or two before the draft, not many were predicting the Browns to take Mayfield, not even the talking heads....

There wasn't a consensus about which QB would go first or in which order they would be selected. It was just a few days before the draft that whispers emerged that the Browns were into Mayfield. And even then, it came as a surprise when they actually did select him. The Jets I'm sure were all in on Darnold.
So, I'll say it again: the Browns could have taken Saquon with one, and had either Mayfield or Rosen with four. And if you have Saquon, you don't need the next Tom Brady as your quarterback. Rosen would do fine.