The signs continue to point toward the New York Giants using their top pick in the 2024 NFL Draft on Michigan star JJ McCarthy, but a new rumor suggests he is just a Plan B to their preferred choice.
One of the biggest talking points for the Giants this offseason is what they will do with their starting quarterback spot in 2024. Despite it seeming like they would give incumbent starter Daniel Jones another chance in 2024, it is looking more probable that the team is trying to find his replacement.
- JJ McCarthy stats (2023): 2,991 passing yards, 22 TDs, 4 INTs, 167.4 passer rating
Related: 2024 NFL mock draft – Broncos, Vikings get QBs, projecting J.J. McCarthy’s landing spot
A top option for them to find a future QB will be in the 2024 NFL Draft. Unfortunately for the organization, they are in the unenviable sixth spot in a year with three highly touted signal callers and a trio of teams ahead of them that also need future franchise QBs.
That is why it is unsurprising the team has been linked to the next best prospects after Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, and 2023 Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels. The momentum over the last few weeks has been that Michigan’s JJ McCarthy is the fourth-best QB in this class and that he is the man the Giants want in next month’s draft.
However, a new piece of intel has been added to the discourse via Razzball NFL insider John Frascella.
“While it’s come out that the Giants are upset someone leaked the JJ McCarthy story, my source tells me they were even more interested in Jayden Daniels,” Frascella wrote. “However, it has become clear to the Giants that Daniels is definitely going in the top 3 of the NFL Draft, thus their attention turned completely to McCarthy.”
- Jayden Daniels stats (2023): 3,812 passing yards, 40 TDs, 4 INTs, 208.0 passer rating
The New England Patriots and Washington Commanders have the second and third picks in the NFL Draft and while there have been rumors they could trade out of the pick, as we get closer to the event it looks like they will stand pat to take Daniels or Maye. It seems far less exciting if the New York Giants are picking a Plan B with such a high pick instead of the player they feel is the best option.