NFL Draft 2018: Will Giants regret passing on QB? It could be Super Bowl or bust

Imagine this scenario: Running back Saquon Barkley, defensive end Bradley Chubb, offensive guard Quenton Nelson all turn out to be annual Pro Bowlers with Hall of Fame potential.

At least two of the quarterbacks available at the top of the 2018 NFL Draft go on to have excellent careers, too.

Essentially, the Giants can't get stuck with a bust at No. 2.

If that is the case, will they live to regret passing over a quarterback for the top-ranked player at another position just because of the premium value placed on quarterback?

Is 2018 NFL Draft just 1999 all over? QBs better hope not

"It depends on how they view Eli Manning in the building," NFL Network draft analyst Bucky Brooks said. "(General manager) Dave Gettleman and (head coach) Pat Shurmur have said they believe Eli has a couple of good years (left). If during those few remaining years he has, they play at a high level, they go to a Super Bowl, I think it's well worth the trade off."

With former Pro Bowlers or All-Pros Odell Beckham Jr., Brandon Marshall, Damon Harrison, Janoris Jenkins, Landon Collins and Olivier Vernon on the roster, the Giants have more talent than expected of a team coming off a 3-13 season.

"Now that you've made the decision that Eli is going to be your guy, how can you support him and elevate him?" Brooks said. "Much like Saints were able to keep Drew Brees playing at a high level by surrounding him with talented players, in New York it is about trying to find the right weapons to allow Eli to play at a high level while his skills are beginning to diminish."

Eventually, however, the Giants will need to replace Manning. Whether that is after the 2018 season, after the 2019 season when his contract expires, or after his 40th birthday is undecided.

The Giants could hand the keys to the franchise to relative unknown 2017 third-round pick Davis Webb, but stars are aligned right now, says NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah.

"I don't think you ever regret taking a great player," Jeremiah said. "But when you look at the opportunity that exists right now -- you've got a 37-year-old quarterback and you've got a pretty good group (of quarterbacks in the draft), and you are picking up there with a chance to get one -- it's tough to pass."

The Cowboys and Jaguars both made big leaps forward after drafting Ezekiel Elliott and Leonard Fournette with top five picks in the 2016 and 2017 NFL Drafts, respectively.

However, the Cowboys' rise also had a lot to do with a vaunted offensive line and an unexpected rookie steal at quarterback, while the Jaguars boasted one of the NFL's best defenses.

"A position player outside of quarterback can certainly be impactful," Brooks said. "It really depends on the way the team is constructed. I'm not necessarily on board that a quarterback is the only guy who can move the needle for a squad."

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

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