The New York Giants are, fittingly, undergoing a giant transformation this offseason.
‘Big Blue’ is coming off yet another disappointing season, this time landing the third pick in the upcoming 2025 NFL Draft. With just one playoff appearance since 2017, the Giants have done one thing consistently during that time: Lose.
The general manager, Joe Schoen, has now turned his attention to the draft, but isn’t willing to commit to making a selection at No. 3.
‘We’ll be open to all options,’ Schoen said. ‘Those type of strategy sessions have been ongoing and talking through different scenarios. We’re always going to be open to either or of those scenarios.’
It’s unclear whether those trades will come to fruition, considering the lack of movement thus far. Every team owns its first-round pick this year, but that could change quickly if the board breaks a certain way. Regardless, Schoen indicated there has been interest.
‘We’ve received some calls,’ Schoen said.
The general manager added that they are happy with their options at No. 3 and don’t feel the need to take a quarterback with the pick.
‘I don’t think that’s mandatory, or, feet to the fire, something we have to do,’ Schoen said, highlighting the Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston signings. ‘The two guys we signed have played a lot of ball, have got a lot of skins on the wall and I do think we’ve upgraded that room compared to where it was a year ago.’
Schoen said if they feel there is a young franchise quarterback available, they’ll take one, but added it’s out of the team’s control if there isn’t one when they pick.
After a honeymoon phase that included a playoff appearance in their first season, Schoen and Brian Daboll could be sitting on some increasingly hot seats this year.
As a result, Schoen has taken out the checkbook this offseason, dishing out over $225.9 million in free agency, according to OverTheCap, which ranks fourth-most in the league.
There is some level of pressure to deliver in the draft, especially given their struggles with finding talent in recent years. The first round has been mostly a disaster for the Giants over the last decade, with Saquon Barkley and Malik Nabers being the best of the bunch.
This year, they should have some options to secure a top-tier talent in the class. Here’s a look at who that might be.
Giants draft targets
Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado: Arguably the best player in the draft, the Giants would pounce at the chance to take the unique prospect if he slips by Cleveland. Hunter could fill a need on both sides of the ball for New York, while adding a star that the city would rally around.
Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State: If it’s not Hunter, it’s probably Carter. The Giants’ pass rush has always been a key position in the franchise’s history and Carter could be the next in line.
Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado: Cam Ward is almost certainly going to Tennessee. If Schoen believes Sanders is a franchise quarterback, then this is the spot to draft him.