By WFAN.com
Giants general manager Dave Gettleman met with the media on Thursday to discuss next week's NFL Draft and New York's No. 2 overall pick.
The big night may be only seven days away, but the 67-year-old GM told reporters he won't be making any decisions on the team's first round pick until draft night.
"You can't close your mind. You don't know what's going to happen..." said Gettleman. "Listen, we'll know when we know. I'm not making any decisions before the draft."
While he wouldn't dive into details on who the team is considering with their first round pick, Gettleman made it abundantly clear he understands the importance of his first draft pick as New York's general manager.
"When you're picking this high, and make a mistake, if you miss on a quarterback you've really hurt the franchise for five years," the general manager said. "It's a five-year mistake. It's a big decision, but as long as you do your homework you'll be fine."
The 2018 draft could feature up to six quarterbacks selected in the first round, which would match the 1983 draft for the most in NFL history. Sitting at number two, Gettleman knows he will have at least five of the top quarterbacks available to choose from.
"It's a really neat group to evaluate because it's all different flavors," Gettleman told the media. "With the second pick, I'm sitting at Ben & Jerry's and I have a lot of flavors to look at... The bottom line is all of these guys are interesting. They're unique. There is depth there for sure. It's a heck of a group to watch. It's fun."
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Although he didn't share his thoughts on each of the top quarterbacks in this year's draft class, Gettleman did express what he's looking for in a QB.
"Think about all of the quarterbacks you've seen. Who of them have made everybody better?" Gettleman asked. "That's what you're looking for in a quarterback. Does he make everybody around him better?"
Even though some believe New York will select a quarterback with the second pick, recent reports indicate that the Giants are enthralled with Penn State running back Saquon Barkley.
When asked about Barkley on Thursday, Gettleman did not hold back his praise for the running back.
"He's a tremendous talent. I'm not going to lie..." the GM said about the 21-year-old back. "He's very gifted and talented... He's one of those guys that my mother could have scouted. She could've figured that one out."
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If the Giants were to take Barkley with the second overall pick, he would become the highest-drafted running back since Reggie Bush was selected with the second pick in 2006.
While some are worried about the value of selecting a running back that high, Gettleman made it clear to reporters that he doesn't share those concerns.
"I think the devaluing of the running back is really a myth," New York's new general manager said on Thursday. "If you have a great running back, he immediately makes your quarterback better, your offensive line better, and your passing game better."
Trading back in the first round is also an option, and on Thursday, Gettleman admitted that teams have called about the No. 2 pick.
"You have to be open to everything. You have to listen. Can't be afraid of conversation...." said Gettleman. "We've had calls. I'll admit to that. That's as far as I'm going."
With only a week to go before the draft, not even Gettleman knows for sure who he plans on taking. So stay tuned folks, because as soon as Roger Goodell announces that the Giants are on the clock, anything can happen.
