Giants Draft Daniel Jones to One Day Replace Eli Manning

The New York Giants started preparing for football life after Eli Manning by drafting Daniel Jones a quarterback from Duke. Daniel Jones was picked with the No. 6 overall pick in the NFL draft on Thursday.

The Giants picked defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence from Clemson with the No. 17 pick overall and then traded to the end of the first round and picked Deandre Baker with the No. 30 pick. Baker played cornerback at Georgia.

The Giants drafted Jones ahead of linebacker Josh Allen, which did not sit very well with Giants’ fans as they booed when Jones’ name was announced. The Jacksonville Jaguars selected Allen immediately after the Giants took Jones.

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The Giants said they did not want to wait until their No. 17 pick to draft Jones saying they were worried he would not be available.

Jones will sit behind veteran Manning, who this year will be playing the final year of his current contract and is 38. The Giants spoke to Manning by phone when selecting Jones and reiterated that their starting quarterback this season would be Manning.

No one is certain when Jones will eventually take over as the Giants franchise quarterback as there remains a big unknown about Manning’s future after next season and if Jones will be ready to take the reins.

Read: Andrew Bogut Open To Future Postseason Cameos

Aaron Rodgers was drafted to eventually replace Brett Favre at Green Bay, but did not become the starter for three seasons.

Jones is 6-foot-5 and weighs 221 pounds. Duke coach David Cutcliffe coached both Peyton and Eli Manning in college and is still very close to the brothers. Jones has a relationship with both Manning brothers through Cutcliffe.

Jones passed for 2,674 yards, 22 touchdowns and nine interceptions last season.