It feels like the New York Giants are practically printing out “Welcome to New York, Shedeur Sanders” signs already. Between Malik Nabers catching passes with Sanders in Manhattan, Sanders rocking customized Giants cleats, or Joe Schoen cozying up to Deion Sanders at Colorado’s facilities, the writing is all but on the wall.
And according to SNY’s Connor Hughes, this isn’t new—the Giants reportedly had their eye on Sanders as far back as last year, ready to pounce if he declared early. Now, with the 2025 NFL Draft on the horizon, their quarterback crush is the league’s worst-kept secret.
Here’s the kicker: this might be the boldest—and riskiest—draft play in recent memory. Hughes suggests the Giants are willing to do “everything they can” to move up for Sanders if necessary. Translation? They’re prepared to mortgage the future for one shot at salvation. It’s the kind of move that could catapult general manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll to redemption—or leave them jobless by this time next year.
For a team coming off a 3-14 season, it’s hard not to feel the desperation. John Mara’s “patience is wearing thin” ultimatum has the front office swinging for the fences. But telegraphing your draft obsession like this? That’s one way to negotiate against yourself.
What does trading up for Shedeur Sanders mean for the Giants?
The idea of moving up from No. 3 for Sanders sounds like a Hollywood blockbuster: high stakes, big risks, and a dramatic payoff.
But in real life, pulling it off means dealing with the Tennessee Titans or Cleveland Browns, who hold the top two picks. Spoiler alert: they’re not going to do the Giants any favors. Hughes points out that prying either pick away could require a small fortune in draft capital—future first-rounders, Day 2 picks, maybe even a little extra. That’s a steep price for a roster that has more holes than a slice of Swiss cheese.
And yet, it’s hard to ignore the logic. The Giants haven’t had a true franchise quarterback since Eli Manning, and Mara has made it painfully clear that 2025 is make-or-break.
Sanders appears to have the talent to be the face of the franchise, and pairing him with Malik Nabers could give New York a dynamic offensive duo for the future. But there’s no Plan B here. Swing and miss, and the Giants are looking at another decade in the wilderness.
Of course, there’s the alternate route: trading back if Sanders and Cam Ward are off the board. Hughes suggests the Giants should cash in on the No. 3 pick to load up on future assets and fill multiple needs.
Sure, that’s the “safe” play, but when your franchise is already on fire, does playing it safe really help? And let’s be real—how many non-quarterback-needy teams are desperate enough to trade up in this draft? If no one bites, the Giants might have to pivot to free agency for a quarterback. Names like Sam Darnold and Justin Fields could be intriguing, but have Schoen and Daboll done anything to inspire even the slightest bit of confidence they can turn those projects into success stories?
The stakes couldn’t be higher. Whether they’re masterminding a franchise-defining moment or setting up the next rebuild, one thing’s for sure: April 25 is going to be must-watch drama in New York.
One thing is abundantly clear: the Giants’ desperation to find their franchise quarterback is driving every decision they make, and if this gamble doesn’t pay off, it could bury the team—and its leadership—for years to come.