The New York Giants’ decision to pass on drafting a quarterback with the No. 2 pick in the 2018 NFL Draft remains one of the most criticized moves in recent franchise history. Former Giants defensive lineman Chris Canty, a Super Bowl 46 champion, did not hold back in his criticism, arguing that the decision caused long-term damage to the organization.
Instead of selecting a successor to Eli Manning or trading the pick for multiple assets, the Giants drafted running back Saquon Barkley, a premier talent but a questionable investment given the team’s offensive line struggles and overall roster deficiencies.
New York Giants’͏ Franchise-Altering Draft Mistake
The Giants entered the 2018 NFL Draft coming off a 3-13 season, with an aging Manning, a porous offensive line, and a glaring need for a franchise quarterback. Despite those concerns, they selected Barkley instead of drafting a quarterback or trading down for additional draft capital.
Canty, now a sports analyst, voiced his frustration over the decision, noting that the 2018 NFL Draft class produced five first-round quarterbacks, including four taken in the top 10.
“It’s maddening to ͏me ͏because they had the second overall pick in͏ ͏a draft ͏that saw ͏five quarterbacks go in ͏͏the first ͏round, four͏ ͏in͏ the ͏top 1͏0, and͏ they took ͏a͏ running͏ back ͏that they did not ͏re-sign when he͏ was scheduled to go͏ into free agency,” Canty said.͏
If only the New York Giants took a quarterback in 2018 when they needed one after Eli Manning… @ChrisCanty99 | @ESPNNewYork pic.twitter.com/B4vWoVvcaH
— UNSPORTSMANLIKE Radio (@UnSportsESPN) March 25, 2025
Adding to the frustration is the fact that the Giants eventually reached for͏ a quarterback in the following NFL Draft, selecting Daniel Jones in 2019 with the sixth overall pick. While Jones showed flashes of potential, he͏ never developed͏ into the franchise quarterback the team hoped͏ ͏for.
Instead, ͏the͏ Giants doubled down on their mistake, signing Jones͏ to a long-term contract only ͏to cut him a͏ year and a half ͏later. This͏ cycle of desperation and short-sighted decision-making, Canty argues, has been detrimental to the franchise’s stability and success.
The opportunity cost of͏ passing ͏on Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson͏ remains a major regret. ͏Both quarterbacks have since won MVP awards, elevating their respective teams while the Giants continue ͏to search for ͏stability under center. ͏Making matters worse, the team had additional chances to draft a͏ quarterback in subsequent years, ͏including prospects͏ like Justin Herbert and Jalen Hurts,͏ but failed to capitalize.
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Canty͏ further criticized the organization’s lack of foresight, ͏stating͏, “They could have took a quarterback ͏in 201͏8. ͏They could have took a quarterback in 2020.”
This lack of long-term vision has left the ͏Giants in ͏a perpetual state ͏of rebuilding, with no clear plan for sustained success.