The New York Giants have made a few win-now moves during the 2018 league year, and they just made another one by drafting Penn State running back Saquon Barkley.
When the 2018 league year was about to begin, there was no news on the movement of the New York Giants. Then, right before the league year began, they signed left tackle Nate Solder. They also signed running back Jonathan Stewart.
The Giants were clearly not done. As NFL Spin Zone’s Zac Wassink wrote, the Giants are in win-now mode, but they’re also trying to keep it going past 2018. The selection of Saquon Barkley is proof they’re trying to win now.
Many people have stated that Giants general manager Dave Gettleman though a top pick — like Barkley was — needs to be seen as a potential Hall of Famer. Barkley has that potential, but as far the here and now, he just gives the Giants another offensive weapon to go with Odell Beckham Jr.
Barkley is elusive runner, but he also can run with power. He gives the Giants a viable running threat and a pass-catcher out of the backfield. The Giants now have receivers at all three levels with OBJ, Evan Engram, and Barkley.
There’s no doubt that this gives Eli Manning a team that can win in the next two years. If they choose to give him a one-year extension, they could have a three-year window to win a third Super Bowl.
Next: NFL Draft 2018: Instant grades and reactions
The combination of Barkley and Stewart could become a dangerous duo. They could provide a thunder and lightning backfield like Barber and Ron Dayne gave the Giants, and providing Manning with a running game gives them more options.
This was a win-win situation for the Giants, because if they had chosen Bradley Chubb, it was a good pick too. It was a good selection for Big Blue.
Draft Grade: A