ESPN Offers Insight into What Giants Might Do in First Round of Draft

The New York Giants wouldn't dare skip drafting a quarterback in the first round, would they?

That could very well be the case if ESPN draft analyst Matt Miller's reporting is accurate. Miller claims that "a high-ranking official with the team told me their draft plans are unlikely to include a first-round passer."

But fear not, Giants fans, because this news doesn't mean that the Giants will punt on the opportunity to add a quarterback. It's long been thought that for the Giants to get one of the top quarterbacks in this draft class--Caleb Wiliams, Jayden Daniels, Drake Maye, and J.J. McCarthy--they would have to find a willing trade partner to move up, thereby potentially blocking the quarterback-needy teams like the Minnesota Vikings from dangling their two first-round picks this year as part of the compensation package to move up.

The Giants? They have just six picks in this draft class, and quite frankly, given the state of their roster, they need as many picks as possible to turn into quality starters and/or depth players if they want to continue improving their roster.

This is probably why Miller points out that although they won't admit it, the Giants have concerns about incumbent Daniel Jones's injury history. They could instead be looking to select a quarterback in the second round with the 47th pick. 

Or they could be aggressive and look to move up, as Miller notes, as the cost to move back into the bottom of the first round to get one of Michael Oenix Jr or Bo Nix or even a Spencer Rattler would be a lot more reasonable than having to give up draft capital this year and potentially next year to move up from six. 

Notes Miller, "A small trade up on Day 2—similar to what the Titans did last year to land Will Levis at pick No. 33—is possible."

ESPN also noted that, "If the right quarterback is there, the Giants wouldn't hesitate to make the move." But again, it's not as easy as it sounds if they can't find a trade partner or if the cost becomes so prohibitive that the team won't be able to address other needs.

In a couple of weeks, we'll find out how the draft board falls and how much Schoen is willing to give up to move up if the guy he wants is there. But if the board falls, as many mock drafts have predicted as far as the top quarterbacks being off the board by the time the fourth and fifth picks (realistic trade spots for the Giants if they move up) roll around, the Giants' best option at that point is likely to take a receiver at six or consider trading down.

And, as Miller said, look to trade back into the bottom of the first round where, in that instance, they would have both their franchise receiver and quarterback on rookie deals, which afford them the fifth-year option should they want to have one or both of those players sit.

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