After stumbling to a 3-14 record in 2024, it’s clear this team is still a long way from competing. The good news? Last year’s draft class brought in some legitimate talent, and the Giants hold the No. 3 overall pick this year.
The bad news? That pick carries some serious weight, and general manager Joe Schoen’s next move will shape the franchise for years to come.
Schoen, speaking at the NFL Combine, made it clear that everything is on the table. Trading up? Possible. Trading down? Also on the table. Staying put and taking a blue-chip talent? Of course, that’s an option too. But let’s be real—this is a decision that will have major ramifications, and depending on how things shake out, the Giants could end up making one of the most pivotal draft-day moves in recent memory.
Joe Schoen says the #Giants will explore moving up (and back)
— Connor Hughes (@Connor_J_Hughes) February 25, 2025
Will the Giants trade up, trade down, or keep the pick?
At this point, it feels likely that either Cam Ward or Shedeur Sanders will be there when the Giants are on the clock. If the front office truly believes one of them is a franchise quarterback, taking him at No. 3 is a no-brainer. But if Schoen isn’t sold on either of them, then the real fun begins.
Trading up would likely mean one thing: Abdul Carter. The Penn State linebacker has been gaining momentum as the best overall prospect in this class. If the Giants want a true defensive game-changer, moving up is an option. But would it be worth the cost? Probably not, given how many other roster holes this team needs to fill.
Trading down, on the other hand, could be the best possible outcome. This draft isn’t loaded with elite, can’t-miss talent at the top, but the range from picks 20-75 is where a lot of potential difference-makers will be found. If a team comes calling for, say, Travis Hunter at No. 3, why wouldn’t the Giants consider stockpiling picks? Players like Mike Green, Tet McMillan, and Kelvin Banks Jr. could still be there in the mid-first, and having extra assets to build out the roster wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world.
Schoen’s comments about being open to trading up or down aren’t surprising—it’s exactly what a GM should say in this position. But there’s something to be said about the possibilities here. If the Giants are truly looking to maximize their draft capital, moving down might make the most sense. This roster has too many holes to bank everything on one player.
That said, if they do stay put, they’d better be sure about whoever they take. The pressure is on, and this front office can’t afford to whiff on this decision. Whether it’s a quarterback, a defensive cornerstone, or a trade that brings in multiple assets, one thing is clear—this pick will define the Giants’ offseason.