The New York Giants were well-positioned to have the first overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft until a Week 17 victory over the Indianapolis Colts, pushing them down multiple spots. With two quarterback-needy teams picking ahead of them, New York will need certain things to fall their way on draft night.
Early into the pre-draft process, the Tennessee Titans made it known that the first overall pick is available for trade. Moving up is an option for New York, especially if it means securing the rights to the passer the front office believes can turn this franchise around.
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However, that would come at a steep cost with Tennessee looking to take advantage of any team that wants to move up for a quarterback. With multiple needs to address and at least a viable avenue to their top quarterback prospect sliding, New York could also wait and hope it’s top option slides past Tennessee and the Cleveland Browns on draft night.
Tony Pauline of Sportskeeda wrote that while the Giants would be happy to land any of the consensus top four prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft, the front office “would be elated” if quarterback Shedeur Sanders is available with the No. 3 overall pick.
- Shedeur Sanders stats (ESPN): 4,134 passing yards, 37-10 TD-INT, 74% completion rate, 8.7 yards per attempt, 168.2 QB rating, 4 rushing touchdowns
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Sanders already met with the Giants organization ahead of the East-West Shrine Bowl and he made a strong impression on the coaches and executives he stuck with. The pre-draft process was viewed as a very critical part of his evaluation after concerns from teams during the season about ‘baggage‘ Sanders had.
If Sanders is the team’s top target, they might not have to trade up for him. Cam Ward is currently viewed as the consensus best quarterback in the 2025 NFL Draft, likely becoming the No. 1 pick. Meanwhile, there have been NFL Draft rumors for months that Sanders would prefer not to play for the Cleveland Browns (No. 2 pick).
Around the league, NFL executives have cautioned the Giants about reaching for a quarterback prospect who most believe isn’t better than any of the six signal-callers selected in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft. However, with a general manager and head coach making decisions with their long-term job security at stake, New York might feel as if it has to take a quarterback with its top selection.
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