Giants' Dave Gettleman knew 'for a fact' Daniel Jones would not be there at 17

Big Blue's GM says two teams would have taken Duke QB

4/28/2019, 12:40 AM
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The Giants concluded Day 3 of the NFL Draft with six more picks, but it was still Thursday's first-round selection of Duke QB Daniel Jones with the sixth pick that was garnering attention. 

GM Dave Gettleman found himself again defending the pick on Saturday and revealed with more certainty that Jones would not have been available if the Giants waited. 

"I know for a fact there were two teams that would've taken Daniel Jones in front of 17," Gettleman said. "I know that for a fact."

SNY's Ralph Vacchiano reported that both the Washington Redskins and Denver Broncos were interested in taking Jones and they may be the two teams Gettleman was referencing. 

The Broncos ultimately decided to trade out of the 10th overall pick and took Missouri QB Drew Lock in the second round. The Redskins selected Ohio State QB Dwayne Haskins at 15. 

In addition to the questionable value of taking Jones with the sixth pick, the Giants also passed on taking edge rusher Josh Allen, who would have filled an enormous void on Big Blue's defense. 

"It wasn't easy to pass up Josh Allen," Gettleman said. "You know my background that was very, very difficult. But I think that much of Daniel Jones."

Where Jones falls into the Giants' plans in 2019 is still unclear. 

Gettleman has spoken about the "Kansas City model" where the quarterback will spend a year behind Eli Manning before taking over, but he also made reference to the Green Bay Packers when Aaron Rodgers spent three years waiting behind Brett Favre. 

Giants head coach Pat Shurmur said, "Our anticipation is he's going to learn quickly."

Overall, the Giants used seven of their 10 picks to address the defense, including drafting three cornerbacks.

"I feel much better," Gettleman said of the Giants' long-term future. Adding "time will tell" on how this draft will pan out. 

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