New York Giants: Eli Manning, bold predictions for second half of 2018
The 2018 season for the New York Giants is in complete shambles. Here are three bold predictions for Big Blue moving forward.
The 2018 NFL season has been a complete disaster for the New York Giants. Big Blue was expected to vie for the NFC East crown this year but instead their campaign has crashed and burned into ashes with a 1-6 slate. Now it’s time to rebuild.
The rebuilding process is already underway with the trade that sent cornerback Eli Apple to the New Orleans Saints for a pair of draft picks – a fourth rounder in 2019 and a seventh round selection in 2020.
More trades may be forthcoming from general manager Dave Gettleman. It’s time to break it all down for the G-Men and build it back up again. It may be a few years before the Giants are serious contenders again for the NFC East title.
With that being said, here are three bold predictions moving forward for the rest of 2018.
1. Eli Manning will be traded to Jacksonville for a second round pick
It’s time — time to trade Eli Manning. Look for Gettleman to send the future Hall of Fame signal-caller to the Jacksonville Jaguars for a second round draft selection in 2019. The Giants need to see what rookie quarterback Kyle Lauletta can do. Why partner with Jacksonville in this trade?
The Jaguars are not exactly elated with the quarterbacks in their locker room — Blake Bortles and Cody Kessler. The Jags, a Super Bowl hopeful entering the season, are a disappointing 3-4 so far and need a jolt.
If they can protect him in the pocket, Manning can give them the boost they’re looking for. He’s coming off a 399-yard, one-touchdown effort against Atlanta so there is still ability in the 37-year old quarterback. Jacksonville is willing to take the risk without surrendering a first rounder.
2. Saquon Barkley will finish with over 2,000 yards from scrimmage
One of the very few bright spots this dismal season has been the performance of the rookie halfback from Penn State. In a word, he has been sensational. The Bronx native currently ranks second in the league in yards from scrimmage with 905 (481 rushing, 424 receiving) and he’s also tallied seven touchdowns.
Only Todd Gurley of the Rams (956) has more yards from scrimmage to this point. Expect Barkley to continue his outstanding play even though the G-Men will be far removed from any playoff hopes. He’s that special.
3. Olivier Vernon is shipped to New England for a third round selection
The Big Blue housecleaning continues. The Patriots rank next to last in the NFL in sacks with nine and could use a veteran pass rusher in Vernon. The University of Miami product is rounding into form after missing the first five games of the season with an ankle injury. Although he does has just one sack in two games this season, Vernon has a pair of quarterback hits and is starting to show his old explosiveness.
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Let’s not forget that he has recorded 45 career sacks and just turned 28 years old. He has a lot left in the tank. That’s worth New England parting with a third round selection as the Giants continue to stockpile draft picks for the future.