The 2024 NFL Draft is fast approaching with rumors continuing to connect the Minnesota Vikings, Las Vegas Raiders and Denver Broncos among the teams that could move up for a quarterback. However, there appears to be another club that could make a big move on draft night.
The first three picks in Round 1 are widely believed to be quarterbacks, with the Chicago Bears drafting Caleb Williams first overall followed by Drake Maye and Jayden Daniels landing with the Washington Commanders and New England Patriots. After the top three picks, though, everything could get hectic.
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Both the Arizona Cardinals (fourth overall pick) and Los Angeles Chargers (fifth overall pick) are open to trading down, which creates a path for teams like the Vikings, Raiders and Broncos to move up for someone like J.J. McCarthy. However, there seems to be another team believed to be desperate to upgrade over its current starter.
During an appearance on The Rich Eisen Show, Pro Football Focus analyst Trevor Sikkema mentioned the New York Giants as the second-likeliest team who could move into the top four to land a quarterback. While the Minnesota Vikings were the obvious first choice, Sikkema highlighted the Giants’ “desperation” as a reason to keep an eye on them.
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“The other team to me is actually the Giants. I think they are going to be pretty desperate to go up and get one of these quarterbacks. I think they’re going to give a pretty competitive deal for three, four or five whenever a quarterback is still on the board because I think they desperately want to upgrade, I really do believe that.”
Trevor Sikkema on the New York Giants possibly moving up for a QB in 2024 NFL Draft
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Why the New York Giants could be well-positioned to trade up
Just a year removed from making quarterback Daniel Jones one of the highest-paid NFL players, New York hasn’t been shy with its interest in the 2024 quarterback class. The Giants’ front office has long-term concerns with Jones and has been contemplating a plan to move on from him as the franchise quarterback.
New York would also be uniquely positioned to swing a deal with Arizona or Los Angeles in comparison to the Vikings, Raiders and Broncos. While the Giants don’t have two 2024 first-round picks like Minnesota, they can offer the Cardinals or Chargers the opportunity to just move down to the No. 6 overall pick. From the perspective of Arizona and Los Angeles, that would mean gaining draft capital and still landing a blue-chip talent who might be the highest-rated player on the team’s draft board.
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Of course, the Giants’ roster has a lot of existing holes at running back and wide receiver heading into the 2024 NFL Draft. If it’s ultimately determined that there isn’t a strong enough supporting cast in New York to help build around a rookie quarterback, the Giants’ front office might ultimately stand pat and try to snag a quarterback like Bo Nix or Spencer Rattler on Day 2.