The New York Giants apparently got tired of waiting on an answer from future Hall of Famers Aaron Rodgers and Russell Wilson, which prompted them to make a significant quarterback move by signing Jameis Winston away from the Cleveland Browns with a two-year, $8 million contract.
This move may give the Giants a respectable Week 1 starter, but they are by no means locked out of taking a quarterback in the 2025 NFL Draft. If anything, the Winston move gives them the extra security they need to move full steam ahead with their plan of going in on a young signal-caller.
With the Tennessee Titans looking more likely than ever to select Miami's Cam Ward at No. 1 overall, the Giants find themselves firmly in position to select Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders if the Browns also pass on a quarterback. Should Sanders be off the board, the Giants' draft plans will still be incredibly clear.
If Sanders is gone, the Giants can take either Penn State pass rusher Abdul Carter or Colorado two-way star Travis Hunter at No. 3 overall, then wait until their second-round pick at No. 35 to select Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart. One way or another, New York is in prime position to land a young quarterback.
Giants could draft franchise quarterback after signing veteran Jameis Winston
The Giants likely aren't going to win many games irrespective of who is under center. However, given Jameis' propensity for putting up gaudy passing game numbers (along with his traditional problems with turnovers), New York's offense can remain at least competent for most of the 2025 season.
From there, it comes down to personal preference. Would the Giants want a slam dunk Pro Bowler at 3 before trying to turn Dart into their next franchise savior, or would they roll with the superior prospect in Sanders and try to surround him with talent in the later rounds?
Both Sanders and Dart have shown flashes of being a possible long-term option for the Giants. The combination of Sanders' extreme accuracy and Dart's propensity to let it rip down the field should make them both locks to be selected within the first 50 picks of the draft.
With or without Joe Schoen and Brian Daboll at the sticks, the Giants need to be well aware of the fact this team needs direction in the future. Given Winston's contract structure, the Giants have set themselves up to draft their next franchise leader and give them all the time they need to marinate as a backup.