The New York Giants have had a rollercoaster free agency period. Despite losing Saquon Barkley and Xavier McKinney, the team also made the long-awaited move to get linebacker Brian Burns out of Carolina.
The team also brought in QB Drew Lock and replaced Barkley with Houston’s Devin Singletary. With the 6th overall pick in next month’s NFL Draft, the Giants are not quite in reasonable range to grab one of the three quarterbacks expected to be taken with the first three picks.
Barring a trade, the Giants may have to wait on Day 2 of the NFL Draft to find another QB to join Lock and the still-on-the-mend Daniel Jones.
Albert Breer Speaks on New York Giants Draft Plans
NFL Analyst Albert Breer, appearing on Rich Eisen’s podcast, stated on Wednesday that the New York Giants are indeed making exploratory calls surrounding what it will have to take to move into the top 3 selections. The problem is that going from the 6th pick into the top three selections will be a steep cost for the team.
The cost grew steeper with the Burns trade having occurred earlier this week, as the team gave up the 39th overall pick to acquire the linebacker from Carolina. The Chicago Bears, Washington Commanders, and New England Patriots will all likely stay within their positions–barring any last-minute shockers–and take quarterbacks.
The Giants at that point would be left to either openly consider Michigan Hero JJ McCarthy, or take one of the three best Wide Receiver prospects at that selection. But to make a move into the top 3, what will it take General Manager Joe Schoen?
According to @AlbertBreer, the Giants have inquired with teams for a potential tradeup into the Top 3 for a quarterback and seeing what it might take to get there. #NYGiants pic.twitter.com/tUbIEnOygP
— WBG84 (@WBG84) March 13, 2024
What Will It Take?
Once upon a time, the New York Giants’ fellow NFC East rival answered this question. In 2012, the then-Washington Redskins engaged in one of the biggest pre-draft trades ever. In a move that has since been reflected as one of the worst draft-related trades ever, the now-Commanders engaged in this trade with the Rams: the teams swapped their 2012 first-round picks, with the Rams then receiving the Redskins’ 2013 and 2014 first-round selections.
A re-analysis of the trade 12 years later shows just how misguided the move became for both sides. While Griffin, the 2011 Heisman winner, did enjoy an explosive rookie campaign, a devastating injury severely limited the potential Griffin had shown in College and in that first season. For the Rams, the beneficiaries of the deal, they ultimately selected eight players.
None of the eight players drafted by the Rams are presently on an NFL roster.
Would the New York Giants Consider Such a Move?
The New York Giants do occupy the same 6th overall selection their NFC East rivals did in 2012. However, it is unlikely that, unless the right deal does come Joe Schoen’s way, the team will follow through with a move as colossal as the current Commanders had undertaken all those years ago for Griffin.
Twelve years have passed since that trade. While the now Commanders struggled through 2023, they are much likelier to remain exactly where they are and draft another young quarterback of their own. The Chicago Bears and New England Patriots, sitting on either side of the Commanders, aren’t likely to budge much if the New York Giants come calling.
Giants fans will be regardless watching Joe Schoen’s next moves very carefully as we now only have 42 days until the 2024 NFL Draft.