The New York Giants are currently in the driver’s seat for the top pick in the draft with a 2-13 record and their $160 million quarterback on the practice squad of the Minnesota Vikings.
Putting aside any suspicions of “shooting” for the top pick in the draft, the Giants are left in a precarious position with a very weak pool of quarterback prospects and many holes to fill on their roster.
The top two consensus picks, Miami’s Cameron Ward and Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders, likely both would have been late first- or second-rounders in last year’s class.
While both are considered top-5 picks due to the need at quarterback, they don’t have the usual level of scout interest that the top pass rushers have seen in recent years. It’s reminiscent of the 2022 NFL Draft, where many experts projected former Liberty QB Malik Willis in the top ten overall before falling to the third round.
Although there are few indications that General Manager Joe Schoen will be shown the door after this season, the decision to leave him in charge or replace him will be a big decision for the quarterback.
If he takes Ward or Sanders and is fired next year, it could lead to organizational struggles, as whoever replaces Schoen may disagree with the quarterback position and give their “potential” franchise quarterback little room for error.
Assuming Schoen stays, he’ll have to roll the dice at quarterback sooner rather than later, and there’s no guarantee next year that he’ll get the first dart thrown or that any quarterbacks available will be better than Ward or Sanders.
If he believes any of the top two pass rushers in this year’s class, he’ll likely feel compelled to swing or risk never drafting a first-round quarterback in his GM tenure.
The decision to make a quarterback instead of trading up and acquiring resources will be divisive, as draft strategy research suggests that both teams value high draft picks and that the quarterback market after the draft is uniquely different from every other area.
With the number of holes the Giants have, it would make a lot of sense for them to just stockpile early picks over the next few years, but it would leave Schoen potentially able to set up a replacement instead of a replacement. he was shot to save his job.
Another problem they will face if the Giants keep Schoen and decide to switch quarterback is who will choose between Ward and Sanders.
It is a decision that can be influenced to some extent by ownership.
Over the past 20 years, the Giants have had bland and “out of the spotlight” quarterbacks in Eli Manning and Daniel Jones, and the selection of Sanders would be a solid departure from that mold.
The New York market is infamous for its ability to break through athletes and always land big names. Sanders’ modesty will be put under the microscope behind some of the mirrors during his time in Colorado.
The most likely outcome appears to be Schoen staying, the Giants taking Ward with the first pick, and an entertaining front office offered in hopes of getting something too good to pass up. But the most likely outcome is not necessarily the most promising.
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