The New York Giants’ miserable 2024 season has finally come to a merciful end, and while the on-field product left much to be desired, the day brought a silver lining. Thanks to the New England Patriots pulling off a surprising 23-16 win over the Buffalo Bills, the Giants are officially locked into the No. 3 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
In a season where good fortune has been in short supply, the Patriots’ unexpected win gave the Giants a boost in draft positioning—one they didn’t exactly earn on their own merits. Head coach Jerod Mayo, in his first season at the helm in New England, might not have planned on helping out his old AFC rival, but that’s exactly what he did. Giants fans owe him a nod of gratitude.
The UPDATED 2025 NFL Draft order.
— Ralph Vacchiano (@RalphVacchiano) January 5, 2025
(via @tankathon) pic.twitter.com/D5dx4PuQtb
Turns out the Giants aren't the only team who can't "tank" properly...
Heading into Week 18, the Giants’ draft fate was hanging in the balance. They had already blown their shot at the No. 1 pick with last week’s ill-timed win over the Indianapolis Colts. But a loss to the Eagles and the Patriots’ upset over Buffalo helped push New York into the top three.
Here’s why that matters: the third overall pick gives the Giants a legitimate shot at landing one of the top prospects in the draft, whether it’s a franchise quarterback like Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders or Miami’s Cam Ward, or a dynamic two-way player like Travis Hunter.
The Titans and Browns, picking first and second, are also in the market for quarterbacks, which puts pressure on the Giants to make bold moves. Whether they trade up to guarantee their guy or stay put and hope their preferred player falls, the No. 3 pick at least gives them options.
The real question now is whether Joe Schoen and Brian Daboll—if they stick around—can make the most of this opportunity. Their track record doesn’t inspire much confidence, especially after a season where personnel missteps and coaching blunders played a significant role in the team’s 3-14 finish.
The Giants can’t afford to miss here. With a glaring need at quarterback and an offseason full of tough decisions looming, they have to get this right. Whether it’s drafting a potential franchise QB or trading down for more assets to rebuild a deeply flawed roster, this is a pivotal moment for the franchise.
The Patriots’ win over the Bills might have hurt their own draft stock, but it gave the Giants a much-needed assist. The No. 3 pick won’t erase the pain of a 14-loss season, but it does offer hope for the future—if the front office can deliver.
For now, we tip our hats to Jerod Mayo and the Patriots for the assist. The ball is officially in the Giants’ court. Let’s see if they know what to do with it.