EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The Giants decision to take running back Saquon Barkley with the second pick in the draft will be debated for years. Both sides added ammo to their argument in Thursday night’s preseason opener against the Browns.



The pro-running back crowd could have declared checkmate after Barkley broke off a dazzling 39-yard run on the first touch of a career that is beginning with Hall of Fame hype. But the argument against Barkley was that the Giants should have used their rare top pick on a quarterback to replace 37-year-old Eli Manning. That side of the debate could claim vindication after 2017 third-round pick Davis Webb completed 9-of-22 passes for 70 yards in a dismal performance.



Barkley’s run was exactly the type of play that had scouts, including Giants general manager Dave Gettleman, salivating during the pre-draft process. Barkley took a handoff up the middle and immediately saw a wall of Browns defenders. The 5-foot-11,...