A fast-rising prospect — or so it would seem during this year’s pre-draft process — J.J. McCarthy may not be available by the time the Giants go on the clock at No. 6. The team has explored a trade-up, which may be necessary if it is serious about acquiring a Daniel Jones replacement this year.
The Giants will head into the draft with a pivotal decision. Jones is under contract through 2026, but his guarantees wrap after the 2024 campaign. With this New York regime not having drafted Jones, an opportunity could be in place to grab its own passer and begin building around him. Many around the NFL believe the Giants’ QB target would be McCarthy, ESPN.com’s Dan Graziano notes.
Giants-McCarthy connections emerged in early March, and in the weeks since, the Michigan prospect has become a likely top-10 pick. The Vikings have since obtained a second first-round pick, and the team is almost definitely looking to package its two first-rounders (Nos. 11 and 27) to climb up for a passer. That package could put Minnesota in position to leapfrog the Giants, with both the Cardinals and Chargers — who already employ Pro Bowl quarterbacks — being linked to moving down. As a result of the Vikings’ move, the Giants may need to be prepared to trade up as well.
The Giants have already hosted McCarthy on a “30” visit; they are set to observe a private workout Sunday. New York is also doing extensive homework on Drake Maye and Jayden Daniels. The latter will visit the Big Apple soon. Maye has already visited the Giants, and the ex-North Carolina passer is also set to work out for the team soon. While Maye has been a fixture near the top of draft boards, he has also been docked a bit during the pre-draft process. Maye’s second season as the Tar Heels’ starter did not measure up to his first, and ESPN.com’s Matt Miller adds multiple teams view McCarthy as a better prospect. Mel Kiper Jr.’s latest ESPN.com big board ranks Maye seventh and McCarthy 14th.
This is, of course, smokescreen season. Recent Giants drafts can reveal misdirection as well; in 2022, strong Giants connections to Charles Cross came about, but the team chose Evan Neal. But the Giants will not have their pick of the top QBs in this draft. The Commanders continue to be connected to Daniels at No. 2, but a recent report also tied them to McCarthy. Considering McCarthy’s profile and less prolific college career, it would be surprising if he went in front of Daniels or Maye. But he impressed at the Wolverines’ pro day; buzz about this draft now including four high-end QB prospects has since began to circulate.
John Mara has endorsed Jones consistently, and the current New York starter is on track to be back from his ACL tear by training camp. But the Giants can escape the widely criticized four-year, $160MM contract by taking on modest dead money in 2025. Mara also OK’d a Giants first-round QB, and the Joe Schoen-led front office informed the owner this draft features the best QB crop in “a long time,” ESPN’s Jordan Raanan adds. That would raise the stakes for the Giants, who will need to weigh this year’s QB class against the 2025 group and against a future with one of this year’s impact wide receivers.
The Giants could leave this draft with a new WR1 in place around Jones — who has not exactly been given good wideout situations during his career — without trading up, but QB connections persist. With teams like the Broncos and Raiders also tied to potential trade-ups for passers, the Giants are a key team to monitor ahead of the draft.
Do the Giants know what they are doing?
They have been rebuilding for like forever and no progress has been made
Their offense is devastated and while their defense might be okay
They really have no sense as to who or what they are
I agree that it’s been one step forward and two steps back for quite a long time now. They really need to sit down with the New York Rangers executives to get some advice on how to conduct a rebuild.
Well hopefully they figure it out
It is good for football for the Giants to have a good team
How exactly? Because they are in New York, the rapidly failing third world banana republic of a city? The NFL has been doing better than ever, while the Giants have been left in the dust.
The Giants are ranked as the 4th most valuable franchise in the league. How is that being left in the dust?
link to forbes.com
I can’t believe they’re willing to pass on Nabers. What’s the point of another QB if he has no one to throw to?
They’re not willing to pass on Nabers, that’s the whole point of this charade. They want to push some team into leapfrogging them to grab JJ so Nabers will available at 6.
I doubt the Giants’ FO is that clever.
McCarthy is being linked to the Giants by NYC tabloid ass-kisser Mike Lupica because “it’s all about the QB!” That’s your first warning sign.
I’m holding out hope that they draft a WR (Nabors or Rome) or Joe Alt but I feel like they’re going to make the same mistake Gettleman did by reaching for a QB at #6. And trading up to draft a QB would be even dumber.
If the Giants actually wanted to draft McCarthy, why would it be known that they want to do so when that information being out there is clearly not in their best interests? Could it be because drafting McCarthy is not their plan? Yes – it’s the lying season.
Draft the best WR that falls to them; ride with Jones for another year. Not that hard 😉