Whether the Giants take one of the top four quarterbacks, a running back, or a pass rusher with the second pick in the draft Thursday, some unfinished business will await them in their final five picks among the later rounds Friday and Saturday.
Amid rampant speculation over what Dave Gettleman will do at No. 2, be it pulling Eli Manning's prospective successor from the three left from the Sam Darnold-Josh Rosen-Josh Allen-Baker Mayfield quarterback quartet, taking Penn State's game-changing running back Saquon Barkley, or even mildly surprising people with NC State edge rusher Bradley Chubb or trading down for Notre Dame guard Quenton Nelson, they had best find a gem or two in the second-to-fifth rounds at the remaining need positions.
That used to be a Giants' strength. Nowadays, with the exception of second-round safety Landon Collins in 2015 and second-round receiver Sterling Shepard a year later, not so much. So Gettleman, in his first year calling the franchise's draft, needs to harken back to the George Young-Ernie Accorsi eras. That's when they found gems like linebacker Jesse Armstead in an eighth round that no longer exists, and record-setting running back Tiki Barber and Hall-of-Fame defensive end Michael Strahan in the second.
Without a sixth or seventh-round pick, the remaining five they do take to AT&T Stadium in Dallas reflect even more significance. Adding to that is the four they own among the top 70 (2, 34, 66, and 69), with the last ones being the 108th pick from Tampa Bay in the Jason Pierre-Paul trade and No. 139.
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Those are certainly high enough to find an edge rusher, a running back, or one of Gettleman's coveted "hog mollies" for the offensive line on Days 2 and 3.
None of that precludes them from taking a quarterback. Louisville's Lamar Jackson may well be available in the second round if indeed they don't take USC's Darnold or UCLA's Rosen in the first. Oklahoma State's Mason Rudolph might also be a possibility. But more likely, an offensive tackle like Oregon's Tyrell Crosby or UTEP guard Will Hernandez will be there for the taking, given Gettleman's desire to build from the inside-out.
Crosby, a long-armed pass blocker with a 6-5, 309-pound frame, played left and right tackle at the Senior Bowl, meaning he'd make for ideal competition with first-round failure Ereck Flowers on the right side. Hernandez is a four-year starter at left guard, the most decorated UTEP offensive lineman in history, and at 6-2 and a massive 348, would make a great complement to ex-Patriots tackle Nate Solder on the left side.
Or, Gettleman could grab a running back like Georgia's Sony Michel or San Diego State's Rashaad Penny in the second or third round. Speculation is the dynamic Michel could be the second running back taken in the draft, with backfield mate Nick Chubb following close behind. And Penny's value could make him a third-round steal, given that he's big, powerful, doesn't shy from contact, and also plays special teams. According to Pro Football Focus, Penny ranked first among 58 backs with a 3.32 yards gained average after hits at or behind the line.
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After that, Gettleman needs to look for defensive depth with the 69th pick. Central Florida's outside linebacker Shaquem Griffin may be the most intriguing player in the draft, if only because the third-round talent lost his left hand due to a prenatal condition but still won his conference's Defensive Player of the Year award in 2016. The Giants can use him as a situational blitzer.
They'll also need help in the defensive backfield since Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and Ross Cockrell are gone and the ethereal Eli Apple stands as a huge question mark. Texas cornerback Holton Hill has been floated as a potential third-day pick thanks to his range. But a suspension after the junior's ninth game for violating team rules could raise a caution flag.
The last thing Pat Shurmur's secondary needs is another Apple.
The first-round pick is wide open and will continue to be debated leading into and long after the draft. Regardless of how Gettleman handles that -- the bet here is that he takes Barkley -- he'll have much work to do in the later rounds.
Success there will determine if the Giants have the foundation to rebound from 3-13 into a quality, watchable team.
Follow Ernie on Twitter at @ErniePalladino
