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Dwayne Haskins Rumors: QB Is 'Sinking,' May Be 4th QB Taken in 2019 NFL Draft
April 8, 2019
For much of the predraft process, Ohio State quarterback Dwayne Haskins has been widely projected to be the second quarterback off the board in April's draft, behind only Oklahoma's Kyler Murray. But that perception might be changing.
Peter King of Pro Football Talk wrote in his column Monday: "In fact, I keep hearing Haskins is sinking, and may be the fourth passer picked in this draft."
He added that Haskins could "plummet," though noted it could be "late-prep lying."
King isn't the only one who has heard Haskins' stock may not be that high:
And Haskins has apparently caught wind of such talk:
It's smokescreen season, so it's hard to know which intel represents the legitimate feelings of scouts and front-office executives and which comes from teams hoping to manipulate the draft board in their favor. It's possible that as Haskins' game has gotten dissected, holes have been discovered, and he will slip.
It's also possible that certain teams are hoping he slips so they can select him and are trying to create the impression that Haskins will fall so the teams ahead of them in the draft will second-guess their own evaluations and perhaps pass on him.
The New York Giants have remained the most popular landing spot for Haskins among draft pundits, however.
B/R's Matt Miller had him going to New York in his latest mock, writing: "Haskins is the top quarterback on my board this season. He's smart, tough, physical and can beat defenses from inside the pocket. He's accurate and poised, having shown that this year with monster games against good defenses like Michigan, Northwestern and Washington."
ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay also had the Giants nabbing him at No. 6 in their dueling mock draft. And NFL.com's Daniel Jeremiah had Haskins at No. 21 on his April 3 big board, second among quarterbacks, and projected him to the Giants at No. 6 in his March mock draft.
King projected the Giants to select Missouri quarterback Drew Lock, though added the caveat, "Doubt general manager Dave Gettleman will do this, or take any quarterback here."
He added, "Gettleman seems to have more of a mind to fix his lines in this draft."
So perhaps the Giants won't be the landing spot for Haskins. Or maybe that's what the Giants want you to think. It's smokescreen season—there are no certainties.