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General manager Dave Gettleman dreams of finding a franchise quarterback as a “gift” for the New York Giants. Dwayne Haskins told media on Friday at the NFL Scouting Combine that he dreams of being that qaurterback.
“Growing up in N.J. (Highland Park) I grew up a Giants fan so it would be a dream come true going back home where my family is and play for that great franchise,”Haskins said Friday at the 2019 NFL Scouting Combine. “There are a lot of really great skill players, so either way it happens throughout this process I’m just going to be happy to be in the NFL. New York of course would be a great spot for me.”
Those dreams would collide if the Giants, who have the sixth overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, used it to select the Ohio State quarterback.
Haskins told media Friday afternoon that he would be meeting with the Giants — and seven other teams — Friday night.
Earlier in the week, Gettleman and coach Pat Shurmur both emphasized the importance of those brief meetings.
“You really can learn so much about a guy. It’s a massive decision. This is the face of your franchise,” Gettleman said. “He’s gotta do all the right stuff for all the right reasons. You can’t go to bed at night worrying if he’s gonna come in on time. You can’t do that stuff no matter how talented they are.”
Haskins, like some Giants fans, would like to see what he could do playing with Saquon Barkley.
“I feel like it would be very prolific. I knew Saquon since I was a sophomore in HS. We both went to the Rivals camp together. Got close with him,” Haskins said. “Talked to a few of the other skill players but I feel like they have a lot of great talent offensively. Would be a lot of fun.”
Haskins isn’t concerned about whether he or Kyler Murray is the first quarterback taken in the draft.
“I’m not worried about Kyler. I have to worry about me. I’m going to do what I need to do in meetings and out on the field tomorrow to showcase my talents. I know I’m a franchise quarterback and can be a really great quarterback in the NFL,” Haskins said. “It’s not that important for me (to be the first quarterback selected). For me it’s about being with the right franchise, being with the right team and win a Super Bowl. Whether I’m the first quarterback taken, it’s all a blessing regardless of where I’m going or what pick it is per se. But I don’t really care how it works out QB1, QB2.”
If the Giants drafted Haskins he would initially be expected to learn while backing up Eli Manning.
“I’ve spoken frequently of what I think of Eli and how he handles himself and how he prepares and really everything he does behind the scenes,” Shurmur said at the Combine. “I think a young player would greatly benefit from that.We all learn from somebody that’s done it – players and coaches. And he’s done it at a very high level. So being in a room I think would only help that player.”
That’s a role Haskins has played before.
“I can point to Ohio State and how I didn’t play for a year and a half at Ohio State,” he said. “I played a little bit as a backup. I’m comfortable enough to be able to learn from someone that’s been there in front of me. I know that I’m going to compete and be ready when my time is called.”
In a few weeks we will know if Haskins will be in that role with the Giants next season.