Schoen, Daboll Headline Draft's Biggest Players

After a 3-14 season that saw the New York Giants lose 10 consecutive games, cut their starting quarterback, and still fumble the No. 1 pick, owner John Mara shocked the football world with his commitment to continuity.

Head coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen were given a fourth season to turn the Giants around, to the ire of the fanbase. At the very least, their early-offseason moves provided some optimism. Corner Paulson Adebo and safety Jevon Holland give New York’s secondary more upside and ball production than recent years, quarterback Russell Wilson is the team’s best quarterback since Eli Manning, and the depth on defense has been overhauled.

Their biggest hurdle still awaits. New York lost the No. 1 pick with its Week 17 win, and in doing so lost the rights to Miami quarterback Cam Ward.

It isn’t clear whether New York prefers Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders, his teammate Travis Hunter, or Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter. The magnitude of the decision, though, isn’t lost on anybody.

The job security of the Giants’ decision-makers hinges on the 2025 NFL Draft, and NFL.com ranked them as the team that needs to nail the draft most.

“Brian Daboll and Joe Schoen know they need to produce,” Eric Edholm wrote. “More wins. Better draft picks. Improved quarterback production. The whole nine yards. This upcoming season must prove the Giants are headed in the right direction, or owner John Mara’s postseason decision on their fate could be different this time around.”

Schoen has been adamant that he won’t force a quarterback selection, stating that New York is comfortable taking the top player on its board. However, taking Sanders with the cover of liking him more than Hunter or Carter remains possible, and while it would go against the consensus, it could very well be how the team’s board comes together.

Taking Sanders might earn the decision-making duo a longer leash, but the Giants must improve in 2025, and taking a blue-chip prospect is more likely to impact the standings in the short term.

“It starts with the No. 3 overall pick in the draft,” Edholm wrote. “Have the Giants done enough at quarterback to pass on one there? Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston are in tow, along with Tommy DeVito. They’ve started three different QBs each of the past two seasons. There’s room for a developmental quarterback, even if one doesn’t come at three. If New York passes on one and selects a blue-chip talent such as Colorado’s Travis Hunter, it could be a franchise-changing decision.”

The Giants gave this regime a second chance, and they have the ammunition to make good on the opportunity. Given the stakes and the intense competition ahead of them in the NFC East, neither Schoen nor Daboll have the breathing room to survive another disaster.