Rick Osentoski | AP Photo

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By Matt Lombardo | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Giants head coach Pat Shurmur says that the team isn't considering making a quarterback change "yet," but that doesn't mean that bringing Eli Manning back in 2019 with a $22.9 million cap hit is in the best interest of the franchise.

If Manning continues to struggle against the Atlanta Falcons and Washington over the next two weeks, Shurmur would be wise to making the change from Manning to fourth-round rookie Kyle Lauletta, to at least evaluate what the Richmond product is capable of in the NFL.

One thing has become painfully evident through the first six games of the Giants' sluggish 1-5 start: Manning's best days are behind him, in a league where a quarterback who is unable to manipulate the pocket and evade pressure with mobility is an endangered species.

Assuming that the Giants move on from Manning in 2019, here's a ranking of their best options both via free agency and the NFL Draft:

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10) Nate Sudfeld

Nate Sudfeld isn't the type of signing that is going to move the needle when it comes to franchise enthusiasm, but he has plenty of upside, and has shared a quarterback room with Carson Wentz, and Nick Foles, under the tutelage of quarterback-whisperer Doug Pederson.

With some mobility, but a strong arm, and sound decision-making, Sudfeld has the chance to be an NFL starting quarterback, but likely not the cache to become a "franchise" quarterback.

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9) Tyrod Taylor, Cleveland Browns

The Browns traded for Tyrod Taylor prior to choosing Baker Mayfield No. 1 overall out of Oklahoma, and Mayfield has quickly supplanted the veteran for the starting job.

Taylor has NFL experience, mobility, athleticism, and arm-strength. And he dragged the Bills to the playoffs in 2017.

Depending on how the quarterback free agent market develops next spring, if the Giants can get him for a bargain, Taylor could help win some games immediately.

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Way too early 2019 NFL Mock Draft projection | Do Giants land a franchise quarterback?

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Michael Ainsworth | AP Photo

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8) Sam Bradford, Arizona Cardinals

The Arizona Cardinals are done with Sam Bradford.

After turning the page to first-round rookie Josh Rosen, the Cardinals have begun making Bradford inactive each week, in an effort to save some cap space, due to how the veteran quarterback's contract is structured.

During his time with Shurmur as the Vikings' starting quarterback, Bradford set an all-time high by completing 71.6 percent of his passes in 2016 for 3,877 yards with 20 touchdowns and five interceptions.

Familiarity with Shurmur and the Giants' scheme, could put Bradford high on the organization's priority list this offseason, regardless of whether they take a quarterback in the first round next April.

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7) Teddy Bridgwater, Saints

If the Giants opt against drafting a quarterback high in the first round, Bridgewater would be an ideal veteran addition to try and win immediately both because of his skill-set and pedigree of NFL success.

Prior to shredding his knee in August, 2016, Bridgewater had led the Minnesota Vikings to the postseason and has the coveted combination of pocket presence, arm-strength, and athleticism to make plays as a runner.

In 31 career games, Bridgewater has completed 64.7 percent of his passes for 6,150 yards with 28 touchdowns and 22 interceptions.

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6) Ryan Finley, N.C. State

Finley's anticipation on his throws, and quickly get to his check downs if the defense takes away the deep-threat early in the down will make him a solid fit for Bill Belichick's scheme. When all else fails, Finley has the ability to tuck the ball and make a play with his legs, as well.

If those attributes sound familiar, they are very similar to the reasoning Shurmur gave for keeping Lauletta and releasing Davis Webb last month.

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Time has come for Giants to bench Eli Manning, play Kyle Lauletta

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Butch Dill

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5) Drew Lock, Missouri

Drew Lock's combination of size, athleticism, and arm-strength are going to cause him to get pushed up draft boards this spring largely because he has the talent and upside to start immediately, even with his flaws.

Lock's size, athleticism, and footwork not just to evade pressure in the pocket, but make some plays on the run, which would be a welcomed-wrinkle to the Giants' offense.

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4) Jarrett Stidham, Auburn

Auburn's Jarrett Stidham appears to be rising up Draft boards because of his football acumen, ability to protect the football, and a rapid-release that gets the ball out to his playmakers quickly.

He might not be the most athletically gifted quarterback in his class, but his winning track record and ability to diagnose a defense is going to help him during the pre-Draft process.

If the Giants wind up signing a veteran over the offseason, or believe that Lauletta can get them through at least part of 2019, Stidham's high-ceiling could brighten the organization's long-term outlook.

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3) Will Grier, West Virginia

West Virginia's offense has become one of the most dangerous in the country this season, due in large part to quarterback Will Grier.

Grier has tremendous pocket awareness and field vision, which is boosted by his prototypical throwing motion that helps him push the ball downfield, as well as hit the intermediate or shorter routes with accuracy. What could help Grier rise up boards next spring is his mobility and athleticism to make plays with his legs, ether when the pocket collapses or as designed zone-reads.

Watching Grier gives pause to just how much Manning's lack of mobility has hurt him this season, particularly behind the Giants' porous offensive line.

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Thomas Boyd | AP

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2) Justin Herbert, Oregon

If the regular season ended today, the 1-5 Giants would own the No. 1 overall pick. In all likelihood, the first quarterback chosen in the upcoming class will be Oregon's Justin Herbert.

Imagine an offense with Herbert behind center, in a backfield with Saquon Barkley, and targets Odell Beckham Jr., Sterling Shepard, and Evan Engram. Perhaps adding Herbert would finally untap the Giants' skill-players' prolific potential.

Herbert has prototypical NFL size, mobility, arm-strength, and quick-decision making that gives him the chance to start right away, while Barkley's presence in the offense should hasten his development.

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1) Kyle Lauletta

Even if the Giants invest a premium first-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, they would be wise not to rush a Herbert, Lock, Grier, or Stidham into action before they are fully comfortable both with the system and the speed of the NFL.

This is why playing Lauletta for as many games and snaps as possible in 2018 is critical: both to evaluate whether he has the potential to become a franchise quarterback, which would allow the Giants to take one of the premier pass rushers such as Ohio State's Nick Bosa or Houston's Ed Oliver, if they are on the board, but also to prepare him to be a competent bridge quarterback if the organization views one of the passers in the upcoming class as a franchise QB.

Playing Lauletta at the start of next season would also mitigate having to spend valuable cap space on a veteran quarterback, who would likely be a short-term answer rather than a long-term solution.

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NJ Advance Media

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HOW TO REACH ME:

Matt Lombardo may be reached at MLombardo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MattLombardoNFL

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NJ Advance Media

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