Former Duke Football quarterback Daniel Jones is gearing up for the 2019 NFL Draft and leading up to draft day, there is a lot of speculation around the former Blue Devil.
As we get closer and close to draft day, the rumor mill and reports will be coming fast and furious and one of the biggest and most controversial players in the first round of the NFL Draft is former Duke quarterback Daniel Jones.
ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay have Jones being selected by the New England Patriots with the last pick, No. 32, of the First Round, but many other NFL Draft Experts, including Kiper Jr. have hinted at one team’s love for Jones, the New York Giants.
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The Giants hold the No. 6 and No. 17 picks in the NFL Draft, the latter coming thanks to a trade with the Cleveland Browns for superstar Odell Beckham Jr.
The marriage between Jones and the Giants seems to be a perfect one due to the history of its current starting quarterback, Eli Manning.
Manning was coached by current Duke Head Coach David Cutcliffe at Ole Miss where the then San Diego Chargers selected Manning with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2004 NFL Draft before a draft day trade sending him to the Giants.
In his four seasons at Ole Miss, Manning completed 60.8% of his passes for a total of 10,119 yards, 81 touchdowns, and 35 interceptions.
In comparison to Jones, the Duke signal caller completed 59.9% of his passes for a total of 8,201 yards, 52 touchdowns, and 29 interceptions in three seasons.
Hall of Fame scout Gil Brandt, compared Jones to Eli’s older brother and soon to be Hall of Famer, Peyton Manning, who Cutcliffe also coached while he was at Tennessee.
Entering this season at 38 years old, Eli Manning doesn’t have that much time left int the NFL and with two prodigies of Cutcliffe on the same team, the New York Giants could be the team that gives Daniel Jones the proper time to sit, learn, and develop, before handing him the reigns of the prestigious franchise.
The First Round of the NFL Draft starts on Thursday, April 25, from Nashville, Tennessee at 8:00pm ET and can be seen on the ESPN, ABC, and NFL Network.