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JJ McCarthy Patrick Breen/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK

Insider names quarterback Giants 'want' in 2024 NFL Draft

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 3/15/24

CBS Sports NFL analyst and WFAN radio host Tiki Barber raised eyebrows when he said earlier this week that the New York Giants agreeing to a guaranteed one-year, $5M contract with backup quarterback Drew Lock indicated the club is "not gonna draft a quarterback" with a high first-round pick this spring.

According to NFL insider Connor Hughes of SNY, Barber is not necessarily correct.

"The Giants remain open-minded as it pertains to the draft," Hughes revealed in a piece published on Friday. "All options are on the table at No. 6, even after signing Lock, sources told SNY."

Similar to others before him, Hughes linked the Giants with Michigan Wolverines quarterback J.J. McCarthy.

"The buzz is there that he’s the player the Giants want," Hughes explained. "League sources spoke highly of McCarthy when polled by SNY. One high-ranking executive said he’ll be a 'better pro than college player.' Another general manager said he has everything teams look for — size, athleticism, arm strength, accuracy, played in a pro-style offense. He added '"he’s also very coachable.'"

The Giants reportedly are willing "to trade up to go get a quarterback in this year's draft" because they seemingly will move on from 2023 Week 1 starter Daniel Jones next offseason. Seattle Seahawks general manager John Schneider said during a Thursday radio appearance that he was told by Lock that the 27-year-old could have a chance to compete with Jones for the New York starting job this summer, but Giants beat writer Paul Schwartz of the New York Post and Lock have since poured cold water over Schneider's claim:

Drew Lock was asked what he's been told about his opportunity to start for the Giants:

"Daniel Jones is the starter of this team. That's been conveyed to me." pic.twitter.com/RQghHyZG76
— Giants Videos (@SNYGiants) March 15, 2024

"I've had great quarterback rooms in my career that have helped me be the best starter I could be. When I'm the backup, it's my job to return that."

- Drew Lock pic.twitter.com/Q3hW3utVEu
— Giants Videos (@SNYGiants) March 15, 2024

It was reported last month that the Giants may have to give the New England Patriots the sixth overall pick this year along with three second-round selections in a trade to move up to No. 3 in the draft order. However, Patriots beat writer Chris Mason of MassLive said in a mailbag published on Friday morning that he believes New England is "set on taking a quarterback at No. 3."

The Chicago Bears are widely expected to make USC Trojans signal-caller Caleb Williams the draft's first pick. Most think the Washington Commanders will select a quarterback at No. 2.

Assuming the Patriots take a quarterback at No. 3, multiple mock drafts shared this week predicted that the Minnesota Vikings will trade up from pick No. 11 to the fifth selection to potentially steal a signal-caller from the Giants. Additionally, Ryan Wilson of CBS Sports mocked McCarthy to the Patriots at No. 3 this past Tuesday.

In short, the Giants may not have a chance to get McCarthy if he's truly who they want during this "smokescreen season" portion of March.

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