With the 2025 NFL Draft just weeks away, speculation builds around who the New York Giants will select with the third overall pick.
Many analysts predict Miami’s Cam Ward will go first overall to the Tennessee Titans, with Penn State’s Abdul Carter likely heading to the Cleveland Browns at No. 2. If this scenario unfolds, the Giants must decide between two University of Colorado stars: Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter or quarterback Shedeur Sanders.
The organization hopes their selection will help restore the franchise to prominence. But which player makes more sense for New York at pick three?
Here’s the case for each prospect.
The case for Travis Hunter
Although the Giants addressed cornerback in free agency by signing Paulson Adebo and re-signed Darius Slayton at receiver, drafting a player who can make an immediate impact at both positions might be too enticing to pass up.
Hunter possesses tremendous ball skills and creates big plays on both sides of the ball. He can score on a 50-yard touchdown reception and then secure a game-clinching interception on the following defensive series. While he won’t play both positions full-time in the NFL, he should see significant playing time at both corner and receiver each game.
Head coach Brian Daboll arrived with a reputation as an offensive guru, yet in his three years in New York, the offense has finished 18th, 29th, and 30th in the league. Pairing Hunter with Malik Nabers and Slayton — with Russell Wilson throwing them the ball — would generate explosive plays in the passing game that have been notably absent for several years.
In his three collegiate seasons at Jackson State and Colorado, the 2024 Heisman Trophy winner showcased exceptional defensive instincts, recording nine interceptions. This skill addresses a critical need for a Giants defense that managed just five interceptions last season and set an NFL record by going 11 straight games without one.
No draft pick comes with absolute certainty. Many projected stars have failed to meet expectations at the professional level. However, adding a player who recorded 96 receptions for 1,258 yards with 15 touchdowns while also contributing 35 tackles, 11 passes defended, and four interceptions might be the safest selection available.
The case for Shedeur Sanders
Giants co-owner John Mara emphasized shortly after the 2024 season that finding the team’s quarterback of the future remains the top priority. At some point in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Giants will select a quarterback. The question is: will it be Sanders?
Sanders is widely regarded as the second-best quarterback in this draft class, possessing the experience and pedigree that could translate to NFL success.
In his final season with Colorado, he completed 353 of 477 passes for 4,134 yards with 37 touchdowns and 10 interceptions, earning Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year honors. While he may lack elite arm strength or the athletic gifts of his father Deion, and occasionally holds the ball too long, Sanders delivers exceptional accuracy — the most crucial attribute for quarterback success.
The Giants have conducted extensive scouting on Sanders, including a conversation between Daboll and Sanders during East-West Shrine Bowl week. Their interest is evident, but the question remains: do they view him as the best value with the third overall pick?
With Wilson and Jameis Winston already on the roster, Sanders likely wouldn’t see the field in 2025. However, he could gain valuable knowledge observing Wilson, accelerating his development and preparing him to take over as starter in 2026.
In today’s NFL, consistent success requires a franchise quarterback who performs at a high level. If the Giants’ leadership believes Sanders fits that description, passing on him would prove difficult.
We’ll discover Big Blue’s decision in less than three weeks when they make their selection at pick three. But as for who the team should take? The answer is Travis Hunter.
Acquiring a player who can start on both sides of the ball is rare, and Hunter is simply too good and too versatile to pass up. When you factor in how the Giants are often plagued by injuries, having a player who can fill multiple positions becomes invaluable. Plus, the Giants are in win-now mode, and Hunter can contribute immediately in 2025 — unlike Sanders, who would likely be the third quarterback on the depth chart.
