In the hours before the 2025 NFL Draft, reporters are working their way through the smoke of rumors and finding the fires to be announced early on Thursday night.
Barring a truly remarkable smoke screen, Miami quarterback Cam Ward, Colorado receiver/corner Travis Hunter, and Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter will come off the board with the first three picks – the last of which taken by the New York Giants.
Taking Carter at No. 3 is entirely justifiable and perhaps the best pick available. But it throws the opportunity to take a franchise quarterback in Round 1 into uncertainty. The Giants would be passing on Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders with no guarantee he’s available the next time they’re on the clock.
In essence, passing on Sanders means New York is willing to settle for another passer.
On Wednesday, ESPN insider Peter Schrager predicted that the Giants will trade up for one of the class’ other quarterbacks in Round 1.
"The Giants will know everything they need to know about Jaxson Dart," Schrager said. "So if they take him over Shedeur Sanders, it's not just them throwing -- pun intended -- a dart at the wall. It's because they've done just as much work on that player as they have on Shedeur."
Recent reporting suggests New York is in on Dart, particularly head coach Brian Daboll, who Todd McShay says is “anti” Sanders at No. 3.
Connor Hughes also explored the Giants’ interest in Dart, noting that there will be competition for Dart. As such, New York likely won’t be able to wait for him to fall to No. 34.
“Jaxson Dart is a name to watch for the Giants as a trade-up option on Thursday,” Hughes reported. “Sources I touched base with said he’s someone Brian Daboll is high on — most out of QBs other than Cam Ward. Among qualities Daboll values in QBs is toughness. Dart has that.
“Giants won’t be alone in QB pursuit, though. Matter of how aggressive they want to be.
“There’s not much out there right now connecting Shedeur Sanders to Giants. That hype has cooled dramatically from where it was in December.”
Trading up remains a dicey proposition. Giving up (presumably) multiple Day 2 picks for a quarterback that is largely seen as a Day 2 prospect isn’t ideal. Trading a 2026 first would be an indicator of the administration’s waning job security.
Further, in a year where Daboll’s job is on the line and his starting quarterback is in the building, it makes more sense to continue adding immediate contributors. New York could use a starting defensive tackle and cornerback, insulation on the offensive line, and a complement to Tyrone Tracy Jr. How many holes can the Giants fill without those Day 2 picks?
If nothing else, a Dart selection would be Daboll’s pick. They aren’t making this kind of investment without Daboll falling in love. By Thursday night, fans will know where his heart lies.
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