A report from last month pegged the Giants and Jets as teams that could be interested in swinging a deal with the Titans for the No. 1 overall pick. Several few weeks later, the buzz has not died down, as Dianna Russini of The Athletic (subscription required) reiterates the Giants are a team to watch when it comes to a deal for the top overall selection, and ESPN’s Dan Graziano (subscription required) confirms both the Giants and Jets have shown interest in a trade-up with Tennessee.
The Giants, of course, would have an easier time of making such a move, as they presently hold the No. 3 pick whereas their New Jersey-based brothers have the No. 7 pick. Big Blue is reportedly eyeing both a veteran QB and a rookie, and if the team is able to land both, the veteran passer would serve as a bridge to the younger signal-caller.
Recent reporting on the matter suggests Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders could be the Giants’ collegiate QB of choice, although Miami’s Cam Ward is said to be the consensus top option in an oft-maligned quarterback class. If GM Joe Schoen wants to assure himself of the opportunity to land the prospect of his choosing, then he would obviously need to make a deal with the Titans.
In the wake of Schoen’s failed pursuit of a Matthew Stafford trade, his club was linked to soon-to-be former Jets QB Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers, however, is not viewed as the Giants’ preferred option among the veteran contingent of passers, and Graziano is skeptical that the team would actually go that route. Russell Wilson, Justin Fields, and Sam Darnold would appear to be likelier choices in the event those players do not re-up with their current clubs before the start of the new league year.
Kirk Cousins profiles as a fit for both the Giants and Jets if he is released by the Falcons. Atlanta continues to insist it will keep Cousins as the most expensive backup quarterback in league history, but Graziano nonetheless believes the club will release him at some point soon. Still, Graziano’s ESPN colleague, Jeremy Fowler, says not every team official is convinced a release will happen. If the Falcons believe there is a chance a trade market will form, they will be willing to pay out the $10MM roster bonus Cousins is due on March 17 and continue to explore a trade.
Cousins would of course be much more appealing to other teams if he becomes a free agent, at which point he would likely sign for the veteran minimum while Atlanta pays out his $27.5MM salary for 2025. One would imagine the Jets and Giants would only be interested in Cousins as a free agent and not as a trade target.
Per Fowler, the Jets (like the Giants) would also have interest in Fields if he becomes available, though the Steelers seem as if they are pushing hard to keep their 2024 trade acquisition in the fold and reinstall him atop the depth chart. Regardless of where the Jets’ pursuit of an experienced QB takes them, a move from No. 7 to No. 1 to select a rookie passer or (in theory) a top non-QB talent like Abdul Carter or Travis Hunter would certainly qualify as a bold strike for the rookie GM/HC combo of Darren Mougey and Aaron Glenn.
GM/coach suicide if either does this to pick Sanders or Ward
Raiders missed their chance last year on a QB while the Patriots hit on their QB selection. Neither has their positions anymore nonetheless.
This would be trading up to pick a kid that by all “expert accounts” would be the 6-7th qb taken in last years draft lol like when will these teams learn to stop reaching for guys like this (or historically speaking, Ponder, EJ Manuel, Trubisky, etc)
In fairness, the 6th quarterback in last year’s draft went to the playoffs and looks like a good pick. Neither of these guys is a great top one or two quarterback in a draft, but it’s not like they’re as weak prospects as Manuel or Ponder were.
Yes all true, but the first QB taken didn’t make the playoffs because he was in a terrible situation and that’s what the scenario with both these teams is. I think both of these guys have shown they know how to run their mouths saying how great they are and talk a good game. That’s going to get you in trouble in NY. Both have a ton to prove.
That being said, I’m a Jet fan, and if the new regime loves one of these guys and wants to tie their job and future to them so be it…but I don’t like it
I feel you. I’m a Jets fan too and I think trading up would be a mistake. Without knowing how free agency or the draft will go yet, I’d rather they trade down. If one of the top two guys falls to seven and they like him, I’m fine with that. Otherwise for this year I’d rather see them add high end talent elsewhere and take a swing on a lower QB prospect who’s around in the middle rounds.
I feel both your pain being Jets fans.
Jake Locker also.
It kind of explains why these teams are where they are if they’re going to lose draft capital they desperately need when they could just stay put and get the guy they want anyway. They’d be betting against themselves. I doubt the Browns will take a QB because they have to hope to Jesus that Watson starts to earn at least some of his 40 million dollars. If they draft a QB and eat that money they’ll be in Cap Purgatory like the Saints are every year. They really shouldn’t pick a young QB until they have the resources to help him out. Again like I said Horse-Cart. First you get the OL, Then the QB. Bears are figuring that out now. It took awhile, but I think it finally sunk in. Teams that keep putting the cart before the horse end up scratching their heads going, What happened?
Makes more sense for the Giants, since they have the hottest seats in football and no quarterback plan, it would be a shorter trade up, and and they have an extra pick from the Williams trade, while the Jets are down a pick from the Adams trade.
That fire should’ve been put out on Black Monday but, seeing as they’re the most entitled team in the NFL, the Giants decided to run it back with their “Coach of the Year” honored for getting his ass kicked by Dallas and Philly.
As a Giants fan I’m tired of the constant coaching and GM changes. I’m happy they kept them both. Let them learn on the job. They made the DJ mistake and Because of that they lost Barkley. I’m still pissed about that. But last years draft class was good and I want tos we if they can continue that momentum. I’m excited to have a new QB in the house and if we get another good draft class things are looking up!
Rinse and repeat with your Giants comments.
“they’re the most entitled team in the NFL”
I’ve asked this a million times but *please* explain what you mean by this. You say it constantly. Are you under the impression that the organization or its fans feel entitled to a championship or something? Because we’d honestly just like to have a few winning seasons here.
Also you’re a Jets fan. You have no standing to rip on any other franchise.
You about to lose your job
You about to lose your job
You about to lose your job
‘cause you ain’t done nothin’
I can’t honestly ever remember the Giants or Jets referring to the other as a “brother”…lol. Technically speaking, they would be “adopted brothers” as they were originally based in New York rather than New Jersey.
That tired NY/NJ trope has long worn out its welcome. The Dallas Cowboys don’t have their stadium in Dallas County.
Anyone who doesn’t believe in Ward is making a big mistake. Giants and Jets would be smart to go get him!
I wonder if the Giants and Jets are worried the Rangers or Islanders might get Cam Ward.
Definitely, they are also worried the Nets or the Knicks will get Charlie Ward.
I wonder if too many Dumb Jocks read too many tabloids and listen to too much talk radio. They’re always bragging about 2, 3, 4 different sports. Murica!
Dumb jock? Hardly Chuckie, grow a pair of balls. Come back when you’ve hit puberty. Time to mute you again.
Perhaps a trip to the Bellevue Psych Ward would be more beneficial
Id wait at 3 and see who falls. If Ward or Sanders fall to you at 3 well take them.
You miss trading up paying the QB tax it’ll cost you this season and next in the draft.
You’re almost better off signing Fields for 2 years knowing it may be your last rebuilding year and shoot for 2026 QB class if Ward and Sanders go 1-2
There’s the possibility that both of them go 1-2 then NYG left with nothing. I wouldn’t want either of them but this is Tennessee and Cleveland so the opportunity to pull a dumb move is always there. I say this as a Titans fan too lol.
So you don’t think Dart is a possibility? he certainly raised a lot of expectations at the Combine….
At 3? No
Someone you trade back into the 1st round for at 28 29 30 31 32? Maybe
The one concern I have for Dart same for Sanders and Ward is the same one ppl had about Lock and other QBs. Hand size. 9.5 is a little on the small size. Not saying he can’t make it work or be successful but there’s something about a QBs hand size that always seems to come up during live play whether it’s inability to hold onto balls during thru contact or too many under throws during pressure or concerns about ball stability in weather conditions.
@Twoson: ‘There’s the possibility that both of them go 1-2 then NYG left with nothing.’
Uhhhh, they’d be left with Travis Hunter, who many scouts feel is the best player in the draft. Which is, imo, a better outcome than drafting Sanders or Ward. ‘Nothing’, haha.
If the titans are smart they trade with giants and hope whichever qb is left doesn’t go 2 and then trade with jets and come out with a massive haul. They need so much that would be the quickest way. Then trade Simmons for a first round pick. Trade Ridley for anything to get out of his contract
Never underestimate the urgency of a desperate GM. The Giants decisions this off season are going to be entertaining knowing what’s on the line. Remember the Dave Gettleman moves, think a long those lines
Sanders may be the most NFL-ready, but does he have the arm strength to fight the winds in MetLife? (Yes, it’s windy and cold in Boulder, but he was passing against college defenses.) Throwing at the combine might have answered some questions.
In my humble opinion Sanders is all smoke and mirrors. Dad is prepping him for the NFL, he’s not going to be calling plays that make sonny look bad, or ask him to do much outside his comfort zone, because they don’t want to expose his flaws.He also won’t have Hunter to bail him out on both sides of the ball. He looks like he may be fair to mediocre but not a superstar in my opinion. I have been playing and or coaching for 45+ years, but everyone has swings and misses.
Ego on Saheur leeds to these doubts….thinks he’s a guarantee….he should have passed at the combine and shown his skills….
Imho- I agree with your assessment of the Midgets with the number one draft pick moving up with the Titans to obtain the number one draft pick and select Saunders as their quarterback of the future. I can see the Midgets signing Russell Wilson as the bridge quarterback until Saunders is ready to take control of being the face of the franchise!
It’s a no brainer. To get in on this draft early. And retain your pick this year. You can build a team with 2 top 10’s this year. lol. Awesome draft. Throw a dart!