Coughlin Drops Giants Draft Take

There are few men in New York Giants history more respected than former head coach Tom Coughlin.

The winner of two Super Bowls and the last head coach to capture widespread support from the fanbase, Coughlin’s name carries weight, and his relationship with owner John Mara is exemplified through his frequent appearances celebrating the team.

On Tuesday, Coughlin went on ESPN’s “The Pat McAfee Show” to discuss all things New York, including the upcoming 2025 NFL Draft.

With such a pivotal decision waiting for general manager Joe Schoen on Thursday night, Coughlin gave some insight into the Giants’ potential plans.

“Well I’ll be honest with you, the noise on the outside, that’s what it is,” Coughlin said. “Noise on the outside. The coaches, the scouts, the GM, they know what’s on the line. The way the Giants have always operated is (the) best player available.

“And the thing that has to happen in a draft, any time, is you can’t reach for someone. You can’t reach for a player who does not belong in that position. So if he’s graded into that position and that player happens to be there, then the Giants are going to take the best available.”

That sounds a lot like saying Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter or Colorado two-way star Travis Hunter will be the pick without outright saying so. If New York is anywhere close to the consensus, Coughlin’s logic will stand true. Carter and Hunter are seen as the top prospects in the class, impact players at high-value positions with a promising blend of athleticism, technique, and production.

Carter looks like the next double-digit pass-rushing ace, while Hunter’s versatility gives him a path to generational upside (even if the median outcome pushes Carter ahead on some boards). Sanders, meanwhile, is viewed as the second-best passer in a mediocre quarterback class. He, too, has promising tools. His accuracy is well above average, he’s flashed out of structure, and he has the requisite processing to play from the pocket.

However, his upside is likely capped by fringe-average arm talent and little rushing production to speak of, essentially disqualifying him from the superhero tier of franchise quarterbacks.

Whether the pressure to take a quarterback sways Schoen is yet to be seen. But if the Giants do go all-in on a franchise quarterback, it will be a deviation from their usual script.