NFL power rankings: 32-team breakdown after the 2018 NFL Draft

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ARLINGTON, TX – APRIL 26: Saquon Barkley of Penn State poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being picked #2 overall by the New York Giants during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

team. 31. . Last Rank: 29. . New York Giants. 27

Best Pick: OG Will Hernandez, UTEP

The New York Giants have to feel pretty good about this year’s draft haul, as they held the No. 2 overall pick in the draft and could go after any prospect not named Baker Mayfield.

As it turned out, general manager David Gettleman’s first choice was Penn State running back Saquon Barkley. In the grand scheme of things, it’s not a terrible choice. Barkley is going to be a tremendous player at the NFL level, and it isn’t as if the G-Men lacked for a top-tier runner.

But this year’s draft class was awfully deep at the position, and one might think New York could have landed much better value elsewhere. Simply stated, running backs shouldn’t warrant top-five selection anymore.

By doing so, the Giants admitted they’re comfortable rolling with the aging veteran, Eli Manning, under center for the foreseeable future.

That’s a risk, as there’s no apparent succession plan to Manning. Unless you’re banking on fourth-round draftee Kyle Lauletta out of Richmond.

Grabbing UTEP guard Will Hernandez early in Round 2 was brilliant, though, and a steal. Outside Quenton Nelson, Hernandez was easily the second best guard in this year’s class.

A good investment and even greater long-term move there.