Analyst makes shocking prediction about Giants missing out on Cam Ward, Shedeur Sanders

Some NFL executives left the scouting combine believing that the Tennessee Titans would select Miami quarterback Cam Ward with the first pick of the 2025 NFL Draft and that the Cleveland Browns would grab Colorado signal-caller Shedeur Sanders with the draft's second choice. 

Executives also said that, if such a scenario played out, the New York Giants could acquire either Penn State pass-rusher Abdul Carter or Colorado wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter with pick No. 3. However, NFL Media analyst Charles Davis predicted in a mock draft published on Wednesday that the Giants could shock the football community by making Ole Miss' Jaxson Dart the draft's third selection.

"The last time the Giants went all in on a QB from Ole Miss, it worked out pretty well," Davis said in an obvious reference to franchise legend Eli Manning. "I know people have not been projecting Dart to go this high, but New York has a screaming need at the position. After passing on Michael Penix Jr., J.J. McCarthy and Bo Nix in last year’s draft, the G-Men might not feel like they can sit back and wait this time around."

As Davis mentioned, many would view the Giants taking Dart at No. 3 as a significant "overdraft" for a player projected by some to be a second-round choice. On Wednesday, NFL insider Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated shared that "Dart is likely an early Day 2 pick" but could "end up sneaking into the first round." This suggests the Giants could take the best player available on their board with the third pick and then trade for a late first-round selection to end up with Dart. 

Interestingly, NFL insider Connor Hughes of SNY revealed on Wednesday that "one team source" left the combine with Dart ahead of Sanders in quarterback power rankings for this year's draft class. According to The Athletic's Mike Sando, some clubs feel that Sanders "holds the ball too long" and "lacks high-end traits."

At least one NFL executive told Sando that Dart could go to the New York Jets with the seventh pick in the draft. If the Giants' management agrees with this, they may feel they must draft Dart at No. 3 if Ward and Sanders are both off the board.