Ex-NFL GM mocks Sanders to Giants at No. 3
Mike Tannenbaum’s musings are often treated derisively here at Big Blue View. As a former NFL GM, though, Tannenbaum’s thoughts are worth discussing. It’s why I have had him on my podcast a few times, and why we are about to discuss Tannenbaum’s selection of Shedeur Sanders for the New York Giants in his newly-released mock draft.
This mock is Tannenbaum’s ‘GM mock draft.’ It is what he would do in Round 1 if he were general manager of each of the league’s 32 teams. It is not a mock based on what Tannenbaum is hearing from teams around the league.
Tannenbaum follows conventional wisdom in his mock by giving quarterback Cam Ward to the Tennessee Titans at No. 1, calling that “an easy decision.”
At No. 2, Tannenbaum bypasses quarterback and selects cornerback/wide receiver Travis Hunter for the Cleveland Browns. Tannenbaum says he would want Hunter to play full-time at cornerback, with packages on offense.
Then, Tannenbaum gives the Giants Sanders. He writes:
While the Giants have other massive weaknesses — including the offensive line — they can’t pass on Sanders. And that still rings true after Friday’s signing of Jameis Winston, who is at best a stopgap starter for New York. Sanders is incredibly tough, can make all the throws, processes reads quickly in the pocket and delivers accurate balls. He lacks high-end mobility but still shows good pocket movement traits.
I’m calling it now: Sanders projects as a top-15, maybe even top-12 starting QB in the NFL. That would be huge for a Giants franchise that ranked in the bottom five in just about every passing metric over the past two seasons.
Valentine’s View
I have said before that I have misgivings about Sanders. Most of those regard the potential for distraction because of who his father is, the platform Deion Sanders has, and his willingness to use that platform to let everyone know what he thinks. In my view, there is potential for that to be a problem Joe Schoen and Brian Daboll don’t need.
But, should that be enough to keep the Giants from drafting Sanders? Maybe. Maybe not.
Tannenbaum raises a great point when he says that Sanders’ ceiling might be as a top 12-15 quarterback in the NFL.
That is enough to win a lot of football games. The Giants won two Super Bowls with Eli Manning, who never got a regular season MVP vote in his 16-year career, was never an All-Pro some would put in that top 12-ish category. They won a Super Bowl with Phil Simms, who made two Pro Bowls in 14 years, and one with Jeff Hostletler subbing for Simms.
You want Patrick Mahomes if you can get him. But, not everyone can get him. And you don’t always need the guy with the biggest arm, the best build, the fastest feet to win. You need the guy who can lead and has the ability to rise to the occasion at the biggest moments.
You need a guy capable of handling the big stage.
The biggest argument for Sanders is the same as biggest argument against Sanders. That is who his father is. The spotlight that has always come with not only being a quarterback, but being a star quarterback and being the son of Deion Sanders. Having Prime as not only dad, but coach.
Schoen often talks about how playing quarterback for the Giants in the New York/New Jersey market is not the same as playing quarterback in many cities around the NFL. The attention, the media market, the added pressure require the ability to handle the surroundings.
Manning had that. Daniel Jones had it, too, he just didn’t have enough ability to make it truly matter.
Shedeur Sanders is not going to wilt in the glare of the New York spotlight. That is a critical piece of the puzzle, and a major consideration for the Giants if they have an opportunity to select him.
We know the Giants have paid extraordinary attention to Sanders over the last year. Will they be comfortable enough with his ability level, his personality and what hovers around him to make him their quarterback of the future?
If the draft unfolds with Sanders available at No. 3, we will get the chance to find out.
