Draft analyst shares warning for Giants amid Cam Ward, Shedeur Sanders speculation

Numerous analysts and reporters began suggesting even before the New York Giants officially "earned" the No. 3 overall pick of the 2025 NFL Draft that the club has to leave the player-selection process with either Miami quarterback Cam Ward or Colorado star signal-caller Shedeur Sanders. 

For a piece produced by Paul Schwartz of the New York Post that was published on Wednesday, Ourlads senior draft analyst David Syvertsen noted that the 2025 quarterback draft class is "a very questionable group." Syvertsen added that he believes the Giants should take either Penn State pass-rusher Abdul Carter or cornerback/wide receiver Travis Hunter of Colorado at No. 3. 

"They’re two difference-makers at key positions," Syvertsen said about Carter and Hunter. "...Those guys play premium positions and the Giants need playmakers at premium positions."

Analysts such as Dane Brugler of The Athletic and Mel Kiper Jr. of ESPN have predicted throughout January that the Tennessee Titans will make Ward the first pick of this year's draft. It remains to be seen what the Cleveland Browns will do at No. 2, as the duo of general manager Andrew Berry and head coach Kevin Stefanski have almost certainly been tasked with moving on from the Deshaun Watson era. 

With that said, Kiper linked the Browns with Hunter in a mock draft published on Wednesday morning. Meanwhile, Giants general manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll likely understand they could be fired as soon as next fall if the club fails to improve upon a rough 2024 season with a young quarterback on the roster. Schoen and Daboll reportedly are high on Sanders, but Syvertsen seems to believe Big Blue should pass if the polarizing signal-caller falls to the third pick this spring. 

"I have 6-1, 198 for Sanders," Syvertsen said about the prospect who will be 23 years old as a rookie. "You don’t play quarterback in the NFL at less than 200 pounds, and this kid’s been in college for five years. He’s not a 20-year-old that’s still growing into his body. He’s very slender below the waist, very small calves and thighs."

For what it's worth, Kiper thinks the Giants would grab Sanders with the third pick because "he could step in right away and lift the entire offense" and because "time is running out for" Schoen and Daboll. Desperate men sometimes do desperate things, and it sounds like Syvertsen believes taking Sanders at No. 3 would be a desperate move from a regime hoping to be employed at this time next year.