NFL Draft: Trading back may be what’s best for New York Giants

The New York Giants could look to keep options open at quarterback, by trading back in the 2022 NFL Draft to arm themselves to trade up in 2023

Joe Schoen had the opportunity to shout down any speculation that the New York Giants would move out of one of their top-10 picks during the NFL Draft, and the first-year general manager declined to do so during the NFL Combine.

Few teams have more wherewithal to control the board in this year’s and next year’s NFL Drafts than the Giants.

With myriad needs on both sides of the football, a disastrous situation in terms of cap space that has hamstrung Schoen to shopping at the free agent bargain bin this offseason, and long-term uncertainty at quarterback, trading back might be New York’s best and preferred outcome.

The New York Giants, of course, own both picks No. 5 and No. 7 overall in the NFL Draft later this month, and NBC Sports’ Peter King believes Schoen could look to move down:

"I believe Schoen of the Giants, for instance, wants to come out of this draft with an extra first-round pick next year, even if it costs him this year’s seventh overall pick. So maybe he makes a deal for slightly less than the market rate, just to be in a pole position to take a quarterback if he needs to in 2023."

King’s assertion, of course, is an astute one.

Not only would a trade back in this year’s draft potentially net Schoen and the New York Giants an additional pick in this year’s draft, but perhaps position the franchise to own a pair of first-round picks next spring when a far more heralded crop of quarterbacks will be available.

Given the wildly inconsistent first three seasons of Daniel Jones’ career, and the fact that neither Schoen nor new head coach Brian Daboll is tethered to Jones, it would make sense for the organization to keep its options open at the most important position in spots.

Especially given the weighty decision looming for the New York Giants when it comes to whether to exercise Jones’ fifth-year option on May 5.

It would be wise for the New York Giants to keep all options on the table at quarterback, and trading for an additional first-round pick would certainly create optionality. How the Giants handle Jones’ fifth-year option might be a harbinger of moves to come.