Insider names quarterback Giants 'want' in 2024 NFL Draft

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: