Week 18 breakout puts Joe Schoen’s draft guru status on trial

As we are now fully into the offseason plans and preparations for the 2025 season for the New York Giants, their biggest need for next season is on a full-court press: the quarterback position. As big of a need as it was before the 2004 NFL Draft and before the 2019 NFL Draft, the Giants' need to figure out the quarterback position might be at its most dire.

Even Giants co-owner John Mara said that the quarterback position is one of the most important things heading into the offseason for the team during his end-of-year meeting with the media on Monday—and he doesn't seem too keen on being patient.

Here’s where the problem lies for the Giants: they currently hold the third overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. The two teams ahead of the Giants in the draft, the Tennessee Titans and Cleveland Browns, are both in need of quarterbacks as well, which might complicate the Giants' efforts to secure one in the first round.

Looking back at the 2024 NFL Draft, the Giants tried to move up to get one of the top quarterbacks when they made an offer to the New England Patriots for the third overall pick but were turned away. Even though the Giants didn’t get the pick, the attempted move sent a clear message: the Giants were looking to improve their position and were in the market for a young quarterback.

For as solid of a draft class as the 2024 NFL Draft was for the Giants, one of the picks could be considered a non-need. If Joe Schoen had chosen differently on one particular pick, the Giants might already have their possible quarterback of the future on the roster.

Which pick? Sixth-round linebacker Darius Muasau, selected No. 183 overall. Instead, maybe the Giants should have taken quarterback Joe Milton, who was selected No. 193 overall by the Patriots and showcased his skills in Week 18.

When you look back at the 2024 NFL Draft for the Giants, the first five picks were considered solid and foundational for the future on both sides of the ball. Malik Nabers, Tyrone Tracy, and Theo Johnson will likely be starters for the 2025 team, as will Tyler Nubin and Dru Phillips on defense.

Muasau might turn into a decent player and contribute. But again, what is the most important piece and need for the Giants at the moment? Quarterback. Watching Milton on Sunday goes to show that the Giants may have missed out on a player who could have helped them in 2024 and beyond.

Many have considered this class to be Schoen’s best draft class, but at the same time, if he continues to miss on drafting quarterbacks—as he has done in all three of his drafts since becoming the general manager in 2022—can we really be sure he knows what he’s doing, especially when it comes to the team’s quarterback position?

Some still question his decision to give Daniel Jones a four-year contract before the 2023 season. It effectively turned out to be only a two-year deal, as the Giants have already cut him loose. Granted, the contract was structured so the guaranteed money was done after 2024, allowing the Giants to reset at quarterback if needed.

But even with Jones on the team in 2024, and with the Giants making the first five picks that they did, they still needed a young quarterback for the season, especially in case Jones didn’t work out. And he didn’t, which led to his benching and eventual release in November. Once Jones was demoted and then cut, a quarterback like Milton could have had a chance to prove whether he belonged in the league or not.

The Giants really didn’t need to play Drew Lock, Tommy DeVito, or Tim Boyle for the final seven games. Everyone knew what they were: placeholders until the 2025 season. None of them were any kind of long-term answer. But Milton could have been someone who got valuable playing time after Jones was cut.

Now, it’s a “what if” and “what could have been” scenario for the Giants had they picked Milton instead of Muasau. It could also lead to a potential deal between now and the draft in April if Schoen wants to gamble and make a trade to acquire Milton.

However, if Schoen decides to make that kind of trade a year later, questions will arise about his ability to draft, especially when it comes to recognizing and selecting quarterbacks.

For all we know, Milton could be on the move, and maybe the Giants come calling. Maybe they don’t and get beaten to the punch in a trade for Milton. Or maybe the Giants make a trade in another round in April for a different quarterback.

Or perhaps the Giants, for the fourth straight year, skip drafting a quarterback entirely and sign one or two veterans for the quarterback room. Whatever decision is made, not drafting Milton in the sixth round will always be second-guessed—especially if Milton develops into a special talent in the league. Then Schoen’s ability to scout and draft talent for the team will be scrutinized even more.

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