The New York Giants have their newest quarterback. The Minnesota Vikings have another one of their 2027 draft picks.
Big Blue acquired J.J. McCarthy on Monday in exchange for a fifth-round pick, adding the former No. 10 overall pick to a quarterback room desperately needing another option after Jaxson Dart’s season-ending knee injury. Considering McCarthy is still only 23 years old, it’s a pretty low-risk swing on someone who could still have some untapped potential left in the tank.
It also leaves general manager Joe Schoen and head coach John Harbaugh with a relatively empty cupboard heading into the 2027 NFL Draft. The G-Men currently own just five selections, and three of their original picks are now held by other teams.
Harbaugh has historically liked to have more selections than average on draft weekend, so don't be surprised if the 64-year-old looks to add some to the stockpile over the next couple of months.
Giants currently have just five picks in the 2027 NFL Draft
Here’s where New York’s draft board stands following the McCarthy trade:
Round | Pick |
|---|---|
Round 1 | Giants' own |
Round 2 | Giants' own |
Round 3 | Giants' own |
Round 6 | Giants' own |
Round 6 | Via Jacksonville Jaguars |
New York’s missing fourth-rounder belongs to Cleveland after Schoen used it as part of the package to move up to No. 74 in the 2026 Draft to select wide receiver Malachi Fields.
Their fifth-rounder went to Minnesota for McCarthy, while Miami owns New York’s seventh-round selection from last year's shocking Darren Waller/un-retirement trade. That leaves New York without a pick between the end of Day 2 and the sixth round.
Fortunately, the Giants have plenty of time to restock the cupboard, and there are a few players on the current roster who could help them out.
Defensive lineman Darius Alexander went from a potential second-year breakout candidate to a healthy scratch, while Tyrone Tracy Jr.‘s preseason struggles have carried into the regular season and dropped him down a crowded running back depth chart. Third-year tight end Theo Johnson hasn’t exactly taken off in Harbaugh’s TE-friendly system, and Tyler Nubin’s slow start at safety could eventually make Big Blue wonder whether a change of scenery makes sense for both parties.
Then there are guys like linebacker Micah McFadden and center John Michael Schmitz. McFadden is playing on a one-year, prove-it deal, with Tremaine Edmunds and Arvell Reese seemingly locked into the starting middle linebacker picture moving forward, while Schmitz’s continued struggles could inevitably open the door for Bryan Hudson at center.
And, of course (because how could I not), there’s pass rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux. Trading him became considerably harder after Brian Burns’ season-ending ACL injury, but if the Giants’ season goes down the toilet before the trade deadline, it’ll be hard not to try to move on from him and recoup whatever they can from another potentially failed top draft pick.
There’s an interesting common denominator with everyone above: They’re all Schoen draft picks from before Harbaugh arrived.
New York still owns its first three picks, so it’s not like the 2027 Draft is a total bust. Still, five total picks aren’t ideal for a roster that remains a work in progress, which gives the G-Men a few months to figure out whether any pieces from their old draft classes can help replenish the next one.
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