3 prospects NY Giants should avoid at all costs in the 2025 NFL Draft

With veteran quarterback Daniel Jones now released, the New York Giants are gearing up to find their next franchise leader in the offseason.

With the team sitting at 2-9 through the first ten weeks of their centennial season, Big Blue is in an excellent position to secure a top pick in the NFL Draft and will likely target a new signal-caller with their first-round selection.

The expectation is Brian Daboll and Joe Schoen will prioritize a quarterback in the first round of the NFL Draft (if they're still employed). However, plenty of mock drafts suggest the Giants might address other positional needs instead. The G-Men must tread carefully with their selections this offseason, as not only are Daboll and Schoen’s jobs on the line, but this draft pick could define the franchise’s future.

Let's look at three draft prospects the Giants must avoid this offseason:

3 prospects who the Giants must avoid in the 2024 NFL Draft

Shedeur Sanders, QB: Colorado

One name generating buzz this college football season is Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders, the son of Deion Sanders. Many mock drafts predict the Giants will target Sanders in this year’s NFL Draft, either by trading up to secure the 22-year-old or continuing to struggle for the remainder of the season to position themselves for him.

Sanders recently hinted at interest in joining the Giants while discussing the team’s decision to start Tommy DeVito on Colorado wideout Drelon Miller's podcast, 2Legendary. He also liked an ESPN Instagram post that highlighted Giants President John Mara's statement on Daniel Jones’s release. While Sanders could boost the Giants' offense in 2025, it may not be the most logical move for Big Blue.

Sanders' father and coach at Colorado, Deion, has publicly stated that he would prevent his son from going to the wrong organization and is protecting his career as he transitions to the NFL next year.

The situation is tricky and reminiscent of NBA guards LaMelo and Lonzo Ball, whose father LaVar Ball was famously overprotective, a factor that reportedly turned off some teams during their draft process. Being the franchise quarterback for the Giants already comes with immense pressure, especially when playing under the scrutiny of New York fans and media.

Although Sanders is an undeniably talented player, the Giants cannot afford additional off-field distractions as they work to rebuild for the future. The team might consider other strong quarterback prospects in this year’s NFL Draft, such as Miami’s Cam Ward or Alabama’s Jalen Milroe. Both Ward and Milroe are projected as top picks and could be excellent fits for Brian Daboll’s offense next season.

Will Johnson, CB: Michigan

Michigan defensive back Will Johnson is another name frequently appearing in mock drafts as a potential fit for the Giants. Along with Colorado’s Travis Hunter, Johnson stands out as one of the most impressive cornerbacks in this year’s class. Both players are expected to be taken within the first ten picks of the draft, though selecting either might not align with the Giants’ current priorities.

While either player would bolster the Giants' secondary, New York has already made significant investments at cornerback in recent drafts, selecting Deonte Banks in the first round in 2023 and Dru Phillips in the third round in 2024. Despite a frustrating season for Banks, the team still has confidence in his potential. Meanwhile, Phillips has impressed during his rookie campaign, earning a starting role.

Given these recent moves, it would not make sense for Daboll and Schoen to use a top pick to address a position they have already prioritized.

Kelvin Banks Jr, OT: Texas

The Giants have been down this road before, selecting offensive linemen in the first round of the NFL Draft. They drafted Ereck Flowers in 2015, Andrew Thomas in 2020, and Evan Neal in 2022. Of the three, Thomas is the only one to find success at the professional level. The All-Pro out of Georgia has become one of the league’s premier left tackles when healthy. However, Thomas appears to be the exception. Flowers struggled mightily in New York, and Neal has been a major disappointment so far.

Texas tackle Kelvin Banks Jr., highlighted as the Giants' most significant offseason need, could be a valuable addition to their offensive line. A three-year starter for the Longhorns, Banks is a skilled pass protector with impressive athleticism, making him a player many teams would covet. However, the Giants already bolstered their line this past offseason by signing Jermaine Eluemunor, Jon Runyan Jr., and Greg Van Roten in free agency, giving them solid depth. If the team wants to strengthen the line further, they could consider waiting until later in the draft to address the need.

While the Giants could benefit from additional offensive line help, this draft is too pivotal for Brian Daboll, Joe Schoen, and the franchise to bypass selecting a quarterback in the first round for a second straight year. Talented linemen like Aireontae Ersery, Donovan Jackson, or Anthony Belton will be available after the first round. However, addressing the quarterback position must be the Giants' top priority in the first round of this year’s NFL Draft.

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