WESLEY H
ITT/GETTY IM
AGES (CO
OPER); RO
Y K. M
ILLER/ICO
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RTSW
IRE/GETTY IM
AGES (COX); ERICK W
. RA
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(BARKLEY); DAN
IEL KU
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JR./ICO
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IRE/GETTY IM
AGES (H
ASKIN
S)
The Giants inexplicably let SS Landon Collins, who led the team in tackles in each of
his four seasons, walk in free agency, and the Redskins quickly snapped him up, signing
the three-time Pro Bowler to a six-year, $84 million deal. Then they traded up to select
DE Montez Sweat from Mississippi State at the end of the first round. Washington
also selected defenders with its first-round picks in 2017 and ’18 but have yet to see
consistent results; last year the D ranked 17th in yards allowed.
The Skins will, effectively, have two first-year players in the offensive backfield, but both
have shown promise. Derrius Guice, a 2018 second-round pick from LSU, tore his ACL
in his first preseason game but should be ready to go in Week 1. And Washington used its
top pick in ’19 to draft Ohio State QB Dwayne Haskins, who should begin the year as the
starter. For the first season in a long time, this team is stacked with explosive talent. If that talent
doesn’t come together, 2019 will be another long season.
GM Dave Gettleman said he wanted to draft a Hall of Fame–type player with the second
overall pick in 2018. It’s early, but Saquon Barkley seems to be fitting that description. Just
four rookie backs in the Super Bowl era have gained more all-purpose yards in their first
year than Barkley’s 2,028. Despite being the focus of opposing defenses last season,
Barkley consistently made defenders miss and came up with big plays: He had six runs
of 50 or more yards and 16 of at least 20 yards, both league highs. The Giants need that,
because they don’t have many other big-time threats on the roster. They traded WR Odell
Beckham Jr., and while they signed Golden Tate (74 catches, 795 yards with the Lions and
the Eagles) he isn’t a game-breaker. Barkley will have to be heroic for the Giants to contend in
the NFC East, especially given the team’s uncertainty at quarterback.
Though the Giants re-signed veteran QB Eli Manning, they drafted Duke’s Daniel Jones
with the sixth pick. Manning will start the season, but Jones may finish it.
DT
RB
Saquon
Barkley
QB
Dwayne
Haskins
