The New York Giants traversed their first NFL draft under their revamped management hierarchy with little incident. The general manager, Joe Schoen, and the first-year head coach, John Harbaugh, appeared to work well together to select seven players that fit the team's new vision under Harbaugh.
That may not have been the case if Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love was still on the board when the Giants were on the clock at No. 5 overall.
Veteran NFL reporter Ralph Vacchiano reports that the organization was split on whether to take Love that high.
But Arizona took Love at No. 3 overall, preventing the possible clash between Schoen and Harbaugh on the team's very first pick out of the gate.
Vacchiano went on to say that taking a running back third-overall would set a precedent since the No. 5 slot in the draft will get a contract "worth a guaranteed $47.8 million. That’s $11.8 million more guaranteed than any running back has ever gotten before."
"It’s a terrible use of assets," one general manager told Vacchiano. "Obviously, you can find 1,000-yard rushers for much less. You have to really believe [Love] is a Hall of Fame talent and can transform your team immediately. Because financially, you’re saying he’s 33% better than [Saquon] Barkley. And he’s not."
"I don’t know what the Giants would have done," a scout told Vacchiano. "But sometimes you just have to take the talent and ignore the cost. He’s a special running back. Forget the finances. It’s about: What can he do for you?"
The Giants ended up with Arvell Reese, who they had rated not only as the top edge rusher in the draft but the top off-ball linebacker as well. Maybe they should thank the Cardinals for taking Love and leaving Reese for them.
This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: Cardinals saved New York Giants from a potential draft-day clash
