The Jets should be thankful for Eli Manning.

If the Giants legend wasn't still in the plans of the organization, the G-men likely would have selected a quarterback with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2018 draft. But because they believe in Manning, as well as GM Dave Gettleman's lightly-veiled love of Saquon Barkley, the Giants selected the Penn State running back instead of a quarterback.

All of those circumstances allowed the Jets to draft Sam Darnold.

"When he said Sam Darnold, we just freaked out," Leonard Williams said, via ESPN's Rich Cimini. "We were running all around the house. I thought the Giants were going to take him, I really did. Thank you, Giants."

Both Darnold and Barkley have impressed this preseason, but more was expected of Barkley straight away than Darnold. The quarterback was third on the depth chart heading into training camp but now has a realistic shot of being the Jets' week one starter.

Darnold has earned plaudits from Redskins CB Josh Norman during joint-practices as well as turning heads on a national level across the NFL.

The Giants will get to see Darnold up close on Friday night when the Giants take on the Jets in the third preseason game at 7:30 p.m.

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