For the past seven years, the New York Giants have been the laughing stock of the NFL, with the exception of 2022 when they made the playoffs. This is the same Giants team that, earlier in the century, won two Super Bowls in a four-year period.
Well, how did they get here? It starts with the organizational dysfunction, as well as missed opportunities from the quarterback, Daniel Jones.
Ultimately, getting his winning shot in 2022, Jones led the Giants to a road playoff win against the Minnesota Vikings. Jones’ performance led him to sign a four-year, $160 million extension with the team. This deal would lead the Giants down a prolonged road of mediocrity, with a 9-25 record within the two years of his contract. Even though he had moments of greatness in the beginning, the Giants released Jones before he got into his third year of his four-year contract.
To add to the list of misfortunes caused by poor quarterback play, the Giants would choose Jones over a fan favorite and superstar running back, Saquon Barkley. The Giants allowed Barkley to walk to division rival, the Philadelphia Eagles, where he would have one of the best seasons of his career and lead the NFL in rushing yards.
After a list of misses, the Giants attempted to secure a strong quarterback in time for next season.
Signing Russell Wilson for one year on a $21 million deal was their answer, as well as the addition of Jameis Winston as a backup arm on a two-year $8 million contract. This move to sign both players was how Joe Schoen, the Giants’ general manager, decided to make up for the fact that Matthew Stafford declined a two-year contract with the team for over $50 million a year.
Schoen needed to pivot fast because, along with head coach Brian Daboll, he was in the hot seat after two embarrassing losing seasons. The team made a good choice in choosing Wilson. He is a veteran, a ten-time Pro-Bowler and a Super Bowl champion.
Wilson will finally give the Giants a solid foundation at the quarterback position. in return, the Giants will provide Wilson ample opportunities to succeed with the team with their now beefed-up offensive line and reliable receivers like Malik Nabers.
Wilson provided the foundation for the Giants, but we also cannot underestimate Winston. Winston not only has a very strong arm but also has the ability to make big plays. Two of his downfalls are that he has high turnover rates and can get flustered and rush some of his throws. Nonetheless, Winston provides something valuable– he brings a positive attitude and excitement that is noticeable every time he steps onto the field. This energy rubs off on the rest of the team. Winston gives fans a lot to love, with his memorable quotes and contagious smile.
Now, the Giants have two strong arms to fill the quarterback position, so they have a big decision to make when it comes to this upcoming draft in 2025. This is going to leave opportunities for the Giants if the team does not feel like it needs to rush to fill that position.
For the draft, Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders is an All-American and is the number two prospect at the quarterback position. He is the top choice to be picked by the Giants, since they have the number three overall selection in the draft. He was wearing Giants-themed cleats in his final college game and was even throwing to Nabers during the presentation of the Heisman Trophy.
Sanders was receiving a lot of hype within Giants circles as the future leader of this squad. But the Giants should not draft Sanders. There is no need anymore, with two strong quarterbacks that can hold things down till next year, when the draft class for quarterbacks is much stronger and has a lot higher upside than that of this year.
Instead of electing to draft Sanders, the Giants should try to draft his Colorado teammate and 2024 Heisman Trophy winner, Travis Hunter. He can play on both sides of the ball at a very high level, playing both the wide receiver and cornerback positions.
Hunter will just add to the Giants’ offense that is now led by Nabers. They could become a very good duo, along with the veteran duo the Giants have formed at quarterback.
In college, Hunter put up serious numbers. In the 2024 season, he had 96 receptions, over 1,258 receiving yards, and 15 touchdowns. These were numbers as Sanders’ primary receiver and being a dual-threat. He has shown his natural ability as a playmaker, a skill that translates well to the NFL.
While there have been whispers that the Cleveland Browns might take Hunter with the number two overall pick, Browns general manager Andrew Berry has not seemed very thrilled about having Hunter play both positions.
When Hunter was asked by CBS Sports reporter Garrett Podell what he would tell a team if they made him choose a position, “It’s never playing football again.” The Giants have seemed more than happy about allowing Hunter to play on both sides of the ball.
I don’t think the Browns are going to take Hunter, and if they don’t, he is exactly the type of guy that the Giants are missing, and he would help them build an even better squad.
In a division that is flooded with talent at every single position, the Giants are currently at rock bottom, and the only way that is left for them to go is up. But this is going to have to start in the draft, and that is going to be the most important thing when it comes to the Giants finally trying to get back to their winning times.
