Is Daniel Jones Really the Savior the Giants Need?

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With the sixth pick in the NFL Draft, the New York Giants selected quarterback Daniel Jones from Duke.

Wait I thought Duke players only went high in the NBA? Dwayne Haskins was still available for our pick?

These are both lighthearted and legitimate questions asked by fans across the globe when Big Blue announced their decision to draft Jones.

Coming into the draft many analysts and draft experts had Jones ranked in the 50’s for player talent. Both Kyler Murray and Dwayne Haskins were considered better options, while Jones seemed to be on even grounds as second-round selection Drew Lock.

Coupled with the fact that Eli Manning in his age 38 season is in the last year of his contract, the Giants clearly needed to look towards the future for their next signal-caller.

So what about Jones makes him so appealing to the Giants?

"Pass & Run" – Watch Daniel Jones' top highlights from Duke before he hits the field tomorrow for the start of rookie minicamp. pic.twitter.com/2UqpfYZs2t

— New York Giants (@Giants) May 2, 2019

For starters, Jones is the prototypical quarterback build. Not only is he 6-foot-5 inches tall, but he is a sneaky mobile guy.

Under coach David Cutcliffe at Duke, Jones was a three-year starter who threw for a mediocre 52 touchdowns and 29 interceptions with just a 59.9 completion percentage.

Cutcliffe, by the way, has a recorded history and relationship with the Manning family. I’ll let the audience decide whether or not that is a coincidence.

Jones showed capable arm strength and soft touch on a lot of his throws. A good portion of critics blamed his struggles on the lack of a supporting cast he had at Duke.

After all, Duke is once again known for their basketball primarily.

However, in a late-season battle against their ACC rivals Clemson, Jones didn’t play particularly well.

Daniel Jones v. Clemson thread
24/43 158 yards 0TD/0INT

Daniel Jones got smacked around in this game by a Clemson D-Line with 3 top 20 picks. He didn’t make any huge mistakes and hung in their against the national champs. He had 5 passes batted and we’ll start with that pic.twitter.com/uY44La4B0G

— Bobby Skinner (@BobbySkinner_) April 30, 2019

The quarterback completed just 56 percent of his passes for 158 yards, as Clemson blew Duke out of the water 35-6.

Clemson specifically had the closest thing to professional players on the field for their team. Three defensive linemen from their team, in fact, were taken in the top 20 picks.

Jones looked shaky and hesitant to throw the ball as the Tigers made him uncomfortable. Safe to say the whole league will have tape from that game for when they take on the rookie.

Although general manager Dave Gettleman said Jones may not even take the field this year, stating he could wait up to three years before being given the keys to the car.

Will Jones be Eli’s successor? Only time will tell.

Until then the weight of the world is on the New York Giants for this pick to work, not Jones. Daniel Jones is sitting pretty with a nice contract in his hands.

The front office, however, may be on their way out if the decision to take Jones doesn’t pan out.

About Post Author

Joel Ruditsky

I am a huge Yankees, New York Giants and Los Angeles Lakers fan. However I have a huge passion for all three sports in general across the MLB, NFL, and NBA. I also cover the Cal State Long Beach Men's Basketball team.

[email protected]

http://ngscsports.com