Dwayne Haskins, QB1 in 2019 NFL Draft class, declares for draft

Ohio State quarterback Dwayne Haskins, considered the best quarterback prospect eligible for the 2019 NFL Draft, has declared his intention to enter the draft. Will he end up as the heir apparent to, or outright replacement for, Eli Manning with the New York Giants?

The Giants have the No. 6 overall pick in the upcoming draft. The Arizona Cardinals (No. 1), San Francisco 49ers (No. 2) and New York Jets (No. 3) have their likely long-term quarterbacks. At No. 4, the Oakland Raiders are not expected to pursue a quarterback. At No. 5, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have already said they will stick with Jameis Winston.

That would leave the Giants, at No. 6, with their choice of quarterbacks. Unless a quarterback-needy team like the Jacksonville Jaguars (No. 7), Denver Broncos (No. 10), Miami Dolphins (No. 13) makes a move to get in front of New York.

Would the Giants, who may have as many as 11 picks in the draft once compensatory picks are doled out, move up to get Haskins? Would they bypass him entirely even if he is there at No. 6?

After Haskins’ Rose Bowl performance, draft analyst Matt Miller wrote:

Haskins completed 25-of-37 passes for three touchdowns and showed the kind of pocket poise, accuracy outside the hashes and arm talent all over the field to secure his status as the top quarterback in the 2019 draft class should he decide to enter.

It’s nice to go out on a hot streak, and that’s exactly what Haskins has done by putting together elite tape against Michigan, Northwestern and Washington to close the season. Against three premier defenses, Haskins showed all the tools to make him the first quarterback off the board this April.

Quarterback guru Mark Schofield has already endorsed the idea of Haskins to the Giants. He wrote, in part:

The Giants need to prepare themselves for life after Manning. Punting the decision to 2020 might seem enticing with some of the big names in the next group. But a year can make a big difference in one’s opinions of those players. Yes, the 2019 QB class might lack a sure thing or a silver bullet, but with the new economics of the NFL, teams can afford to get a QB on a rookie deal a ton of help on both sides of the ball. Recent history bears that out -- pun intended. Fix the QB room. Set the organization up for a run in the near-term with a quarterback on his rookie deal, a run that maximizes the Barkley window.

Go get Haskins.

Will the Giants do that?