Giants linked with QB prospect they likely won't get with draft pick No. 6

ESPN's Jordan Raanan reported this weekend that LSU Tigers quarterback Jayden Daniels "is a name to keep an eye on" regarding what the New York Giants may do with the sixth overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft on the night of April 25. 

Raanan explained that Daniels "is a player who is well-regarded within the" Giants. Raanan also said that "multiple sources with connections to" Giants head coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen believe that Daniels "would be an ideal fit in [the Giants'] offense." 

The Giants reportedly are interested in finding an eventual replacement for starting quarterback Daniel Jones after Jones suffered a torn ACL in November and after the 26-year-old was sidelined with worrisome neck injuries twice from 2021 through this past fall. New York theoretically could start Jones for at least a portion of the 2024 season and then escape his contract in early 2025. 

Daniels, meanwhile, is repeatedly linked with the Washington Commanders club that holds the draft's second overall selection. Some believe Washington could pass on Daniels and take either Michigan Wolverines signal-caller J.J. McCarthy or Drake Maye of the North Carolina Tar Heels at No. 2. 

The New England Patriots are at choice No. 3 and could either draft a quarterback who falls to them or acquire assets by trading that pick. 

It's thought New England may want the sixth overall pick this year and three second-round selections from the Giants for No. 3. 

Interestingly, Raanan added that the Giants have "interest in McCarthy, especially if he is available at No. 6." The second part of Raanan's comment shouldn't be ignored, as McCarthy's alleged rising draft stock has become one of the more fascinating NFL-related stories of the spring. 

While it wasn't long ago when McCarthy was the fourth-rated quarterback on most draft boards, multiple in-the-know individuals reported as recently as last week that McCarthy and not Daniels could end up in Washington via the second pick. 

For what it's worth, Nick Baumgardner of The Athletic predicted in a mock draft published on Monday that USC Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams, Maye, Daniels and McCarthy will be the first four picks of the actual player-selection process. 

Baumgardner thinks such a scenario could result in the Giants accepting picks No. 9, No. 75 and a 2025 mid-round choice from the Chicago Bears for the sixth selection. 

In short, Schoen may have to make New England a so-called "Godfather offer" for pick No. 3 if he truly wants Daniels assuming those running the Commanders go with either McCarthy or Maye. 

Regardless of Washington's plans, there's no denying that stories continue to indicate Schoen and Co. are having conversations about getting Jones off the roster between now and the summer of 2025.