With the NFL Draft approaching, two options stand out as far more realistic for the Giants than some of the other scenarios being floated. While the idea of trading up to No. 1 overall for Cam Ward is intriguing, the Titans appear committed to keeping that pick. Trading back also seems unlikely. If the Giants are sold on Shedeur Sanders, they can’t afford to risk him falling off the board—especially if they don’t retain their No. 3 pick. There’s simply too much elite talent at the top of this class to justify moving back, even if it means adding a few more picks to fill out the roster.
That leaves the Giants with two clear directions: either select the best player available at No. 3 and take a quarterback on Day 2, or swing for the fences by drafting Sanders in hopes that he’s their franchise guy. The right move depends heavily on what happens in free agency. The addition of Jameis Winston gives the team a capable veteran backup—albeit one known for both big plays and costly turnovers. But the Giants are still reportedly in the mix for proven veterans like Aaron Rodgers or Russell Wilson.
Securing one of them would give New York a stabilizing presence under center and the flexibility to bypass a quarterback in Round 1. That would allow them to go the “best player available” route, with blue-chip prospects like Travis Hunter or Abdul Carter likely on the board. From there, they could target a second-tier QB like Jaxson Dart, Tyler Shough, or Jalen Milroe in the later rounds, while keeping an eye on what’s expected to be a deep 2026 quarterback class.
But if the Giants fail to land Rodgers, Wilson, or another legitimate veteran option, their quarterback room would consist of Winston and Tommy DeVito—far from ideal and lacking a long-term solution. In that case, taking a quarterback early becomes a near-certainty. With Cam Ward projected to go first overall to Tennessee and Abdul Carter likely heading to Cleveland, Shedeur Sanders could be available at No. 3. While some fans and draft analysts may view Sanders as a slight reach that early, his ceiling is undeniable.
He’s more pro-ready than Ward, having played in a system at Colorado that emphasized timing, pocket presence, and mental processing. His poise, accuracy, and toughness stand out—and he’d instantly become the most talented quarterback the Giants have had since Eli Manning. Drafting Sanders wouldn’t necessarily mean throwing him into the fire immediately either; he’d have the benefit of learning behind Winston, who’s had years of starting experience.
Addressing the quarterback position early would allow the Giants to shift their focus to the offensive line in the second round, possibly landing a starting-caliber right guard. They could then use a later pick on a developmental tackle or add depth to the defensive front. Strategically, it puts them one move ahead compared to selecting a non-QB like Hunter at No. 3 and hoping to land their guy at QB later—where there’s more risk and fewer guarantees.
Ultimately, the Giants’ draft strategy may come down to two former Colorado teammates: Travis Hunter and Shedeur Sanders. Does GM Joe Schoen believe the current quarterback room has enough potential to wait on a second-round option like Dart, and grab a generational talent like Hunter? Or will he decide that now is the time to answer the quarterback question once and for all with Sanders?
Free agency will likely dictate the answer. If the Giants land a high-caliber veteran like Rodgers or Wilson, it might buy them another year to figure things out. But if Winston ends up being the only dependable option under center, then New York may have no choice but to take their swing on a franchise quarterback in this draft.
