Despite getting blown out 35-14 by the Baltimore Ravens, the New York Giants have a good idea of the type of quarterback they should be looking for in next year's draft that will fit Brian Daboll's play style.
In the loss to the Ravens, Big Blue relied on journeyman quarterback Tim Boyle, who took over for Tommy DeVito after suffering a concussion at the end of the first half.
The seventh-year quarterback has been with seven different teams since 2018. He was even with the Miami Dolphins earlier this season, where he started two games while starter Tua Tagovailoa was sidelined with a severe concussion. Boyle was picked up off the Giants' practice squad earlier this week, to serve as the team's backup for DeVito after Drew Lock was ruled out with a heel injury.
If you count Daniel Jones, whom the Giants released three weeks ago and has since signed with the Vikings, Boyle becomes New York's fourth quarterback to appear in a game this season, and he may be their most successful thus far despite the team's loss in blowout fashion on Sunday. And that says something.
Boyle had a 50% completion rate, threw for 123 yards, and a 23-yard touchdown to rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers in the fourth quarter. It was the first-round pick's first touchdown reception since the Giants' 21-15 victory in Week 3 over the Cleveland Browns when he had two.
After the game, Nabers told the media that it looked like Boyle knew the offense just as a first-string quarterback would. That should give Giants fans some hope Brian Daboll actually can develop quarterbacks. No offense to Boyle, but if Daboll can make him look like a first-string QB in a few weeks, imagine what he could do with a top-3 pick of his choosing and a whole offseason.
Boyle threw the ball with more confidence than any other Giants quarterback this season, which makes you think about how special Nabers and this offense could be with a capable rookie signal caller under center next year.
Tim Boyle looked better than the QB that Brian Daboll skipped over their $5M backup for when they benched their QB who they gave a 4/$160M deal to.
— Bobby Skinner (@BobbySkinner_) December 16, 2024
The Giants offense could be special with a rookie quarterback in 2025
The Giants will most likely plan to draft a quarterback with their first-round pick. Many expect them to draft Colorado's Shedeur Sanders or Miami's Cam Ward. Giants fans should also get comfortable with names like Alabama's Jalen Milroe or Oregon's Dillon Gabriel as other options. Ward and Gabriel finished as Heisman Trophy finalists this year, which should help their draft stocks.
In tandem, the G-Men could sign a veteran quarterback via free agency on a short-term deal, such as Sam Darnold, Jameis Winston, or Russell Wilson, to start for a year or two over the rookie they take in next year's draft. This would give Brian Daboll more time to develop the rookie. Daboll was crucial in developing Josh Allen during his time with the Buffalo Bills and is no stranger to that process.
For now, Giants fans can hope Nabers and the Giants offense unlock their full potential next season, resulting in more victories in the win column. After all, how hard would that be?