Giants news, 5/10: Saquon’s workload, Odell’s contract, more

Good morning, New York Giants fans! Here are your Thursday morning headlines, one day before the Giants hold their rookie mini-camp.

Eli Manning: Why the Giants opted to not draft a quarterback | SI.com
The Giants drafted around Eli Manning, instead of drafting a replacement for him, making it clear that they want the veteran QB around for a few more years. But why The answer is part sentimental, part anecdotal and part statistical.

Why hasn't Giants free agent RB Orleans Darkwa signed yet? Here is an explanation | NJ.com
Orleans Darwka had a career-high 751 rushing yards for Giants in 2017, but they moved on to Jonathan Stewart and Saquon Barkley.

Expect Saquon Barkley to carry heavy workload as Giants rookie - New York Giants Blog- ESPN
If Pat Shurmur's history is any guide, the new Giants coach will rely heavily on the No. 2 pick in the draft.

NFL free agency - Ranking the top 25 potential free agents for 2019
It's time to look ahead at next year's pool of potential free agents. Which defensive star could become the highest-paid non-QB?

Eric Dickerson: Saquon Barkley won't break rookie rushing record because Giants have 'no offensive line' | NJ.com
"They got no offensive line," Dickerson told TMZ. "You've got to have a line. Nothing against their line, but they don't have a line."

Traina: Will Hernandez’s college position coach on what the Giants can expect from the second-round pick – The Athletic
In their 93-year history, the New York Giants have had scores of offensive linemen do battle in the pit every Sunday in the fall.

While each of those...

Giants are right to not rush the Beckham extension | SNY

Really, what's the rush?

This whole idea that Beckham deserves to get paid immediately because he decided to show up for some of the offseason program isn't exactly good, business-minded thinking. It's emotional -- which is understandable because this is sports. Fans love Beckham. Everyone recognizes he's a major star who has a huge impact on the Giants. He deserves to be paid like one of the NFL's top receivers, and everyone -- on both sides -- would prefer having him locked into a contract for years to come.

But the reality of the situation is this: The Giants hold the hammer in negotiations right now, and while there's no reason for them to swing it, they certainly don't have to drop it. Beckham is signed for $8.4 million for 2018 and the Giants could use the franchise tag on him for 2019, probably at a cost of $17 million. They could even use it again in 2020 and 2021, though the price becomes increasingly -- and prohibitively -- expensive in subsequent years.

For the moment, though, they're looking at having one of the NFL's best players essentially under contract for the next two years for roughly $25 million. That's an enormous bargain. So why should they rush to give him the $100 million contract he wants with $40 million guaranteed?