When the New York Giants ended their dismal 3-14 season, the top offseason priority was obvious: fix the quarterback situation. So, in Dane Brugler’s latest two-round mock draft, it’s hard not to do a double-take at what happens with the third overall pick.
Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders—one of the most polarizing and talented passers in this year’s class—is on the board, but the Giants pass, opting instead for his teammate, Travis Hunter.
Hunter isn’t just a consolation prize, though. He’s a freak athlete who dominated on both sides of the ball at Colorado, earning Heisman honors after tallying 96 catches for 1,258 yards and 15 touchdowns as a wide receiver, alongside four interceptions as a lockdown corner.
Brugler called him “arguably the best player in the draft,” highlighting his potential as a defensive upgrade and a versatile weapon for head coach Brian Daboll’s offense. He noted, "Hunter would give New York an upgrade at corner — and he’d be a fun weapon for Brian Daboll to mix into the offense for the Giants’ TBD quarterback."
But still—passing on a quarterback like Sanders with such a glaring need? That’s a bold call.
What makes this mock even wilder is what happens in the second round. Brugler projects the Giants to address their QB problem at pick No. 34 with Alabama’s Jalen Milroe, a raw but tantalizing dual-threat prospect. Milroe’s ceiling is sky-high, but with so many questions at quarterback, the Giants taking this gamble would send shockwaves through the fanbase.
Jalen Milroe will be on the short list for most fascinating players in the 2025 NFL Draft.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) January 3, 2025
He has a lot of unique’ uncoachable traits - and he has a lot of areas where he needs to improve to succeed in the NFL. Both things can be true.
The @seniorbowl is a great platform to… https://t.co/L5WgwcBZCs
Passing on Shedeur Sanders would be outright irresponsible
The idea of Shedeur Sanders slipping past the Giants at No. 3 feels almost unthinkable.
Sanders, who’s drawn comparisons to former first-rounder C.J. Stroud, would give New York a clear path forward at football’s most important position. Instead, Brugler’s mock suggests the Giants aren’t sold on Sanders, reflecting “mixed opinions in the league” about his game and potential off-field distractions.
If Sanders were gone, taking a generational talent like Hunter makes sense. He’s a rare hybrid who can be a game-changer at cornerback while doubling as an offensive weapon. His versatility alone would give Daboll endless options to craft creative game plans. But passing on Sanders—especially with how desperate the Giants are for a quarterback—feels like a massive roll of the dice.
This mock hinges on the Giants' decision to target Milroe in the second round. Alabama’s dual-threat signal-caller has undeniable upside, with 2,844 passing yards, 16 touchdowns, and an eye-popping 20 rushing scores this past season.
His athleticism and playmaking ability have earned him comparisons to a young Josh Allen, but his inconsistency and turnover issues raise legitimate concerns.
For a team stuck in quarterback purgatory, relying on Milroe as the future feels risky. The move could pay off if Daboll can work his magic, but it’s a far cry from the sure thing Sanders might represent. At the very least, Brugler’s mock raises an intriguing question: would the Giants gamble on Hunter’s generational talent while waiting on a high-upside project at quarterback?
It’s a fascinating scenario, but one thing is certain—if the Giants pass on Shedeur Sanders, they better hope their gamble pays off. This is a decision that could define the franchise for years to come.