A fast-rising QB prospect — or so it would seem during this year’s pre-draft process — J.J. McCarthy may not be available by the time the Giants go on the clock at No. 6.
The team has explored a trade-up, which may be necessary if it is serious about acquiring a Daniel Jones replacement this year.
The Giants will head into the draft with a pivotal decision. Jones is under contract through 2026, but his guarantees wrap after the 2024 campaign.
With this New York regime not having drafted Jones, an opportunity could be in place to grab its passer and begin building around him. Many around the NFL believe the Giants’ QB target would be McCarthy, ESPN’s Dan Graziano notes.
Giants-McCarthy connections emerged in early March, and in the weeks since, the Michigan prospect has become a likely top-10 pick.
The Vikings have since obtained a second first-round pick, and the team is almost definitely looking to package its two first-rounders (Nos. 11 and 23) to climb up for a passer.
That package could put Minnesota in a position to leapfrog the Giants, with both the Cardinals and Chargers — who already employ Pro Bowl quarterbacks — being linked to moving down. As a result of the Vikings’ move, the Giants may need to be prepared to trade up as well.
The Giants have already hosted McCarthy on a “30” visit; they are set to observe a private workout on Sunday. New York is also doing extensive homework on Drake Maye and Jayden Daniels. The latter will visit the Big Apple soon.
Maye has already visited the Giants, and the North Carolina passer is also set to work out for the team soon. While Maye has been a fixture near the top of draft boards, he has also been docked a bit during the pre-draft process. Maye’s second season as the Tar Heels’ starter did not measure up to his first, and ESPN's Field Yates adds multiple teams view McCarthy as a better prospect.
This is, of course, smokescreen season. Recent Giants drafts can reveal misdirection as well; in 2022, strong Giants connections to Charles Cross came about, but the team chose Evan Neal.
But the Giants will not have their pick of the top QBs in this draft. The Commanders continue to be connected to Daniels at No. 2, but a recent report also tied them to McCarthy.
Considering McCarthy’s profile and less prolific college career, it would be surprising if he went in front of Daniels or Maye. But he impressed at the Wolverines’ pro day; buzz about this draft now including four high-end QB prospects has since begun to circulate.
Giants co-owner John Mara has endorsed Jones consistently, and the current New York starter is on track to be back from his ACL tear by training camp.
But the Giants can escape the widely criticized four-year, $160M contract by taking on modest dead money in 2025. Mara also OK’d a Giants first-round QB, and the Joe Schoen-led front office informed the owner this draft features the best QB crop in “a long time,” ESPN’s Jordan Raanan adds.
That would raise the stakes for the Giants, who will need to weigh this year’s QB class against the 2025 group and a future with one of this year’s impact wide receivers.
The Giants could leave this draft with a new WR1 in place around Jones — who has not exactly been given good wideout situations during his career — without trading up, but QB connections persist.
With teams like the Broncos and Raiders also tied to potential trade-ups for passers, the Giants are a key team to monitor ahead of the draft.
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