With Miami Hurricanes quarterback Cam Ward expected to be selected #1 overall in the 2025 NFL Draft, the prevailing school of thought is that it would be unwise for the Cleveland Browns and New York Giants to draft Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders at #2 or #3, respectively. Indeed, pundits and betting markets are now predicting that the Browns and Giants will pivot to Colorado cornerback/wide receiver Travis Hunter and Penn State outside/inside linebacker Abdul Carter. Both are widely considered the top two prospects in the entire draft.
The problem for the Giants and Browns is where do they find their next “franchise” quarterback? They could wait until the top of the second round, with the Browns picking at #33 overall and the Giants at #34 overall. But that may prove risky with a number of teams possibly being first-round options for Sanders, Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart, and Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Milroe. While draftniks and pundits may be lower on some of these players, NFL teams may not. Milroe’s invite to Day One of the draft also possibly suggests that the League knows he is in play in the first round.
There are three schools of thought with how the Giants should approach this draft:
(1) Pass on the quarterback. Get the rest of your team right, especially in the trenches. The stars were not aligned this time around with Cam Ward being out of reach and no other clear-cut “franchise” option. So don’t waste the picks. The rest of the draft matches up with the team’s needs, specifically on the defensive and offensive fronts, as well as running back. There are also good options at wide receiver and tight end.
(2) Giants will never be a serious contender until they bring in the new quarterback. And punting on the quarterback simply means wasting another season. Take a swing. Until the Giants fix the quarterback situation, they are condemned to a 3rd or 4th place finish in their own division. Because of this, taking Sanders at #3 should not be off the table, and if not that, trading back up into the first round should be a serious option.
(3) Travis Hunter or Abdul Carter are elite talents, but the Giants should trade down, accumulate picks and position themselves for their next highest rated quarterback in round one.
You can make a reasonable argument for option #3. However, it feels like the least likely option. So let’s focus on options #1 and #2.
Outside of quarterback, fans correctly recognize that the Giants must get stronger in the trenches. This is the draft to do that. Carter may fall to the Giants at #3. Just as importantly, this is a very strong year for defensive linemen and there is a very good chance that a top-notch defensive tackle will be available at #34. Indeed, the group is so deep that I will not be shocked, and actually encouraged, if the Giants draft two defensive tackles. The offensive line group is not as deep, especially at tackle, but there are some very interesting guard/tackle types who may be there a #34 or #65 (first pick in the 3rd round). If the Giants pass on a quarterback, their draft could look like this:
However, if the Giants have a strong conviction on another quarterback, let’s say Jalen Milroe, they may try to trade up into the first round before a team like the Pittsburgh Steelers takes him. (For the sake of this argument, you can insert Shedeur Sanders or Jaxson Dart here). To jump from #34 to #20 probably will require the teams #65 pick and an additional selection from the 2026 NFL Draft (maybe a 5th or 6th rounder). If Milroe turns out to be the second-coming of Lamar Jackson, this trade is a no-brainer. However, if he does not, the Giants miss out on golden opportunity to add quality players to the trenches. That’s the risk.
Is it a risk worth taking?That’s the million dollar question. Do you envision Sanders, Dart, or Milroe possibly being so good that one of them can turn the tables on the Eagles and Commanders? Milroe clearly has the biggest upside. But he is as boom-or-bust as there is in this draft. His physical traits are off the charts. He has the demeanor you look for in a quarterback and he is used to playing on a big stage in pressure-packed situations. However, can you coach him to become a better passer?
As Sy’56 posted in his quarterback preview:
There was a period where I believed Milroe would be the top quarterback in this lackluster class. It was a combination of the lack of pure top tier quarterback play in the group in addition to Milroe’s special athleticism. The thing I needed to see in his arsenal as a passer never showed up consistently. If anything, Milroe may have regressed as a passer in the new offense. He is incredibly erratic and he showed a lack of feel. “Feel” when it comes to the position revolves around anticipation and staying a step ahead mentally. Of all the football I watched on Milroe, I never got the sense he could get halfway there on gameday. Staring down his target, waiting too long to get the ball out, and being too quick to tuck and run showed up more often than not. I was told he had a very hard time learning the new scheme as well. This is a long term project with a high ceiling. The path to that ceiling will need to hit several checkpoints and if you’re someone that makes decisions based on odds, well his are very slim.
Honestly, I could see Brian Daboll lobbying for this kid as a piece of raw clay that he may feel he could mold into a superstar. Plus there are Daboll’s ties to the Alabama program.
Opinions on these options will vary. Some Giants fans will insist on getting the quarterback. Others will say build up the rest of the team first. Both sides can make strong cases. If you hit on the quarterback, you’re golden. Nothing else matters. However, if you miss, the opportunity cost could be tough to recover from.
Decisions, decisions.
