NFL Draft 2018: Sam Darnold or Davis Webb? Who is Giants' QB of the future? Expert insights

If, as many expect, the Giants draft Saquon Barkley, they also are re-picking Davis Webb.

That's the ripple effect of the Giants passing on a passer in order to take a projected Pro Bowl-caliber running back with the No. 2 pick in the 2018 NFL Draft.

With 37-year-old starting quarterback Eli Manning on a year-to-year basis for the rest of his career, Webb, a third-round pick in 2017, will be the heir apparent if the Giants opt against USC's Sam Darnold, UCLA's Josh Rosen, Wyoming's Josh Allen and Oklahoma's Baker Mayfield.

"I do know internally they like a lot of what they've seen (from Webb)," ESPN NFL Draft analyst Todd McShay said.

"What I can't wrap my brain around is why they didn't utilize the time late last season when the season was over and get a game or two out of him and see what they have. That made absolutely no sense to me, but what's done."

Behind the scenes with Davis Webb: 'Knock it out of the park'

Since last season ended, the Giants have undergone a complete regime change, with general manager Dave Gettleman replacing Jerry Reese and head coach Pat Shurmur replacing interim head coach Steve Spagnuolo, who took over for the fired Ben McAdoo in December.

McAdoo boldly benched Manning -- ending his streak of 210 consecutive starts -- but inexplicably went with veteran Geno Smith. Spagnuolo, who had two stints as Giants defensive coordinator, was loyal to Manning through the end, keeping Webb on the bench.

Webb took zero regular-season snaps and was active for just one game as a rookie during a 3-13 season. The Giants will give Webb what amounts to a three-day mini-camp showcase next week, leading right into the draft.

"You've got a quarterback that you like from practice and training camp and some of the things you've seen meeting with him and picking his brain and all the things you get to learn about a quarterback when you are around him every day in the building," McShay said.

"But you are not certain of anything. Not that you would be certain (if he played), but you would have a much better grasp of what he is and what he could become. Now they are in that middle ground where they think he could possibly be the next guy and they think they have another couple years out of Manning, so, 'Maybe we will pass (on a quarterback) here.'"

The Giants' decision could be made easier if the Browns select Darnold with the No. 1 pick.

If the Browns go with Allen, as has become a popular projection in mock drafts, then the Giants will be left with a tough call that will be open for second-guessing: Barkley or Darnold?

"Ultimately, I've heard Sam Darnold is the only quarterback they would consider taking at No. 2," McShay said. "And I've heard really strong that there are important people in that building that believe in Saquon Barkley. The Giants want to be a run-first physical football team."

The last time a draft had six quarterbacks taken in the first round was 1983. The last time time with five was 1999. It is conceivable 2018 could match one or both of those standards, with Louisville's Lamar Jackson and Oklahoma State's Mason Rudolph sliding up boards.

Richmond's Kyle Lauletta is the likely No. 7 quarterback and a possible target of the Patriots.

McShay had a third-round draft grade on Webb in 2017. How does he compare to this class of quarterbacks?

"I would have him in that range with Mason Rudolph and Kyle Lauletta," McShay said.

Ryan Dunleavy may be reached at rdunleavy@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @rydunleavy. Find our Giants coverage on Facebook.

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