The Twilight of Daniel Jones: Reflecting on the 2019 NFL Quarterback Draft Class
ICARO Media Group
**Giants Release Daniel Jones, Marking an End to a Hopeful Era**
The career of Daniel Jones with the New York Giants has taken a final turn, with the team deciding to bench and subsequently release him. This decision signifies the end of a chapter for the former sixth overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft and highlights the enduring success of Kyler Murray, the only clear-cut starter from that quarterback class.
Jones was the second quarterback selected in the 2019 NFL Draft, right behind the Arizona Cardinals' No. 1 pick, Kyler Murray. While Murray has navigated his early career hurdles and even emerged as a dark horse MVP candidate, Jones' tenure with the Giants has been riddled with inconsistency and unmet expectations. Jones showed promise during his early years, with his best performance in the 2022 season, but the following two years under coach Brian Daboll saw a significant decline. His release from the team was mutual, according to Giants president John Mara, who praised Jones for his representation of the organization.
The rest of the 2019 quarterback class has had varied fortunes. Ohio State's Dwayne Haskins, picked 15th overall by Washington, met a tragic end in 2021 and never got the chance to rebuild his career with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Drew Lock, selected 42nd overall by Denver, failed to make a significant impact and has since moved through multiple teams, now serving as a backup to the Giants' Tommy DeVito.
Will Grier, picked 100th overall by Carolina, continues to fight for his spot in the NFL, currently on the Dallas Cowboys practice squad. Ryan Finley, drafted 104th overall by Cincinnati, and Jarrett Stidham, picked 133rd overall by New England, have also struggled, with Stidham now a backup for the Denver Broncos. Easton Stick, drafted 166th overall by the Los Angeles Chargers, remains with the team as a backup quarterback.
Gardner Minshew, the 178th overall pick by Jacksonville, has had the most notable career among the later selections, throwing for 11,720 career yards and boasting a better touchdown-to-interception ratio and passer rating than Jones. Meanwhile, Trace McSorley, drafted 197th overall by Baltimore, and undrafted players such as Tyree Jackson, Brett Rypien, and Jake Browning have had fleeting moments in the league, with Browning currently serving as Joe Burrow's backup in Cincinnati.
As Jones exits the Giants, the 2019 quarterback draft class stands as a mixed bag of success stories and disappointments, with Kyler Murray shining the brightest among his peers.