Niner Noise
FanSided

2018 NFL Draft: 5 teams with the biggest quarterback needs

By Peter Panacy

GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 24: Quarterback Eli Manning #10 of the New York Giants puts on his helmet during the first half of the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on December 24, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the Giants 23-0. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 24: Quarterback Eli Manning #10 of the New York Giants puts on his helmet during the first half of the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on December 24, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the Giants 23-0. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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GLENDALE, AZ – DECEMBER 24: Quarterback Eli Manning #10 of the New York Giants is sacked by inside linebacker Deone Bucannon #20 of the Arizona Cardinals in the second half at University of Phoenix Stadium on December 24, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ – DECEMBER 24: Quarterback Eli Manning #10 of the New York Giants is sacked by inside linebacker Deone Bucannon #20 of the Arizona Cardinals in the second half at University of Phoenix Stadium on December 24, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) /

No. 5: New York Giants

First NFL Draft Pick — Second

A 3-13 finish in 2017, along with a slew of front-office changes, suggests the New York Giants are getting ready to change things under center too.

San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers /

San Francisco 49ers

After all, incumbent quarterback Eli Manning is 37 years old is coming off the worst season, statistically, since his 2007 regular-season campaign.

The buzz from the Giants is they believe Manning still has a number of years left competing at a high level. On the surface, this would leave one to believe general manager Dave Gettleman would be open to selecting another position outside of quarterback with the No. 2 overall pick in the NFL Draft.

Perhaps. But that’s risky.

Sure, Manning could bounce back nicely after a forgettable 2017. But he just as easily could revert back to the same issues that plagued him and the offense last year. And if that winds up being the sign of things to come, postponing the team’s eventual need for its next signal-caller could be disastrous.

Remember, some teams go years… decades without finding a franchise-type quarterback.

The Giants can’t afford to make such a mistake. They need to invest in a QB now even if Manning is the penciled-in starter for 2018.