Could John Mara prevent Giants from drafting Daniel Jones' replacement?

Whispers are growing louder regarding New York Giants co-owner John Mara possibly having the last word on whether general manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll use a high draft pick to acquire a replacement for injured starting quarterback Daniel Jones next spring. 

"...Ownership makes the final calls in New York, and it seems telling that Jones ended up landing more than $81M guaranteed over his first two years after one solid season in four tries," ESPN's Bill Barnwell wrote for a piece published Thursday. 

It was rumored earlier this year that Mara wanted Schoen and company to hold onto both Jones and star running back Saquon Barkley after the duo helped the Giants win a road playoff game in January. Jones ultimately signed a four-year contract reportedly worth up to $160M, and Barkley later inked what essentially is an altered one-year franchise tag that doesn't prevent Schoen from tagging the 26-year-old again this coming March. 

Jones has missed a total of nine starts since the fall of 2021 due to neck injuries and most recently suffered a season-ending torn ACL on Nov. 5. While many assume the 2-8 Giants will spend a top-two draft pick on either USC Trojans signal-caller Caleb Williams or Drake Maye of the North Carolina Tar Heels, it was reported earlier this week that "some key people in the organization still have faith in Jones and believe their 26-year-old franchise quarterback can still be their long-term answer" at the position. 

"The Giants were willing to commit significant money to Jones this offseason," Barnwell continued. "Would they really give up on him after six disappointing games behind a dismal offensive line?" 

Barnwell added he can envision a scenario where the Giants move forward with Jones, trade down to pick up additional needed assets for their roster rebuild and then draft a playmaker such as wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. of the Ohio State Buckeyes. 

With undrafted rookie Tommy DeVito starting at quarterback for the Giants until further notice, Schoen and Daboll may cruise to "earning" the No. 1 choice in the 2024 draft. Whether or not they are permitted to use that pick as they wish shall be seen.