NFL Draft 2018: Here's how NFL scout says Giants rank the top prospects - NJ.com

The Giants own the No. 2 overall pick in the NFL Draft later this month, with the chance to either mine an eventual franchise quarterback of the future to replace Eli Manning, or add an elite prospect to a team that finished 3-13 in 2017. 

If general manager Dave Gettleman opts to invest the premium pick in a quarterback, people in league circles believe that the Giants have made up their mind on who to choose. 

"If [Sam] Darnold is available, they're taking Darnold," an NFL talent evaluator told NJ Advance Media. "They don't like [Josh] Rosen."

The NFL evaluator spoke to NJ Advance Media on the condition of anonymity so they could speak freely about other teams and players.

The quarterback decision might not be the Giants' to make, because the Cleveland Browns will likely take a quarterback No. 1. Browns general manager John Dorsey spent time at Darnold's USC Pro Day with the quarterback's family and the Browns staff met extensively with Darnold. 

If the Browns take Darnold, the league executive believes that the Giants have begun the process of setting their board for what they will do with the No. 2 pick. 

"Their top-three choices are Darnold, Saquon Barkley, and Bradley Chubb," The executive said. "They are debating Barkley vs. Chubb, because they need an edge rusher but the scouts love Barkley." 

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It is worth noting that the Giants hosted both Barkley and Chubb for visits to the Quest Diagnostics Training Facility this weekend. 

Chubb would certainly fill a void left in defensive coordinator James Bettcher's defensive line, after the Giants traded Jason Pierre-Paul to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last month. 

At 6-foot-4 and 275 pounds, Chubb is viewed as the premier pass rusher in this year's NFL Draft class after posting consecutive 10.0 sack seasons in 2017 and 2018, while coming up with 23.0 and 21.0 tackles for loss in consecutive seasons.

Meanwhile, Barkley has the potential to be an elite three-down running back immediately after finishing his collegiate career with 671 carries for 3,843 yards and 43 touchdowns while averaging 5.7 yards per attempt and adding 102 receptions for 1,195 yards and eight touchdowns. 

Internally, the NFL executive believes, the depot within the Giants is just how much better a prospect Barkley is than some of the other running backs such as Nick Chubb, Derrius Guice, Sony Michel and others who could be on the board in Rounds 2-3. 

"The thing with Barkley is," The executive said. "They know they can get a running back that's close to his ability in the later rounds." 

Matt Lombardo may be reached at MLombardo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MattLombardoPHL. 

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