The New York Giants did something strange: they drafted Duke quarterback Daniel Jones at No. 6 overall in the 2019 NFL Draft. Before they did that, they did something even more strange. They told everyone they were going to take Jones at No. 6 overall.
News leaked out of New York that the Giants were interested in taking Jones at No. 17 overall, where they have their second first-round selection, but the the rumor abruptly changed: the Giants had instead decided to take him at sixth overall. NJ.com had it. Sportsnet New York had it. NFL.com teased it with a mock draft.
I, for one, took these reports and opinions as a smokescreen — Jones was a big reach at No. 6. And if a team loves a quarterback, they shouldn’t broadcast that interest for someone else to scoop up that player. And yet, the Giants did. Whether accidental or not, they broadcasted what would ultimately still be a major surprise.
It was unbelievable even after it became official.
Jones will join the Giants as the heir-apparent to Eli Manning, whose career is officially winding down in New York. History says that Manning will lose his job at some point during this season, as 21 of the last 23 first-round quarterbacks have started in their rookie season. Jones is raw and was far from polished at Duke, so he may benefit from a year of backing up Manning. But when Manning inevitably throws four interceptions in a game in 2019, we may see Jones trot onto the field. And that might be the end for Manning.
The pick of Jones may be surprising, but when Jones replaces Manning in 2019, you’ll probably see it coming.
