The quarterback dilemma will be a significant topic for the New York Giants as they prepare for the upcoming off-season. Even if the organization decides to part ways with Joe Schoen and Brian Daboll, the inquiry regarding who will lead the team as the starting quarterback will persist. This ongoing uncertainty could impact the team’s strategy and approach moving forward.

Regardless of the coaching staff or management changes, it is imperative for the Giants to identify a starting quarterback for the 2025 season. Most critically, they must secure a true franchise quarterback who can provide stability and success over the long term. Finding a player who can be a cornerstone of the franchise is essential for the team to remain competitive in the challenging landscape of the NFL.

It comes as no surprise that the Giants are closely monitoring the upcoming quarterback draft class this year. Reports indicate that Joe Schoen and Tim McDonnell were present to evaluate Cam Ward during his game against Iowa State. Additionally, executives Brandon Brown, Dennis Hickey, and Jesse Armstead have been scouting Shedeur Sanders in his match against BYU, showcasing the team’s commitment to finding their future leader.

According to Albert Breer from the Monday Morning Quarterback, the Giants have had their executives assess a total of seven quarterbacks this season:

• Cam Ward (Miami)
• Shedeur Sanders (Colorado)
• Carson Beck (Georgia)
• Quin Ewers (Texas)
• Jaxson Dart (Ole Miss)
• Jalen Milroe (Alabama)
• Garrett Neussmeier (LSU)

Neussmeier has opted to return to school, while Milroe has yet to announce his decision regarding the draft. Nevertheless, this list offers a valuable insight into the potential targets the Giants are considering to resolve their pressing quarterback conundrum.

With the draft process approaching, it’s crucial to evaluate these quarterbacks further before teams make their final decisions.

(Note: These insights are initial assessments of the quarterbacks. My opinions are based on the data available, and I may revise these judgments after extensive analysis of each player.)

Identifying the Elite Quarterback Prospects

As we head into the 2024 NFL Draft, I firmly believe that several of the top quarterbacks are worthy of being selected in the top six overall picks. Currently, there are two standout quarterbacks who truly deserve to be taken at the very top of the draft: Cam Ward from Miami and Shedeur Sanders from Colorado. Their unique skill sets and potential make them highly coveted prospects.

The cost of the Giants’ victory over the Indianapolis Colts is significant; if they wish to draft either Ward or Sanders, they will have to make a considerable investment. This scenario presents two options: endure a dismal 2-15 season or negotiate a trade to climb the draft board. With the Patriots likely securing the first overall pick and other teams like the Titans and Browns also looking for quarterbacks, the Giants must negotiate with Eliot Wolf while competing with other franchises aiming to trade up.

In 2004, the Giants took a calculated risk to acquire Eli Manning. The pressing question now is whether they believe Cam Ward or Shedeur Sanders merit a similar investment.

Cam Ward (Miami) – Ward has emerged as my top quarterback this year, showcasing remarkable growth. He was a no-star recruit from a Wing-T offense in high school, and he has developed into a proficient passer in college. After starting at Incarnate Word, he transferred to Washington State and subsequently to Miami. Ward exhibits versatility in his passing abilities, adept at attacking various defensive levels and executing plays within the framework of an offense. His impressive pocket awareness allows him to evade pressure and extend plays, complemented by elite arm flexibility for executing passes from unconventional angles.

Despite facing criticism from fans and analysts for not participating in the second half of Miami’s bowl game against Iowa State, the implications of this decision remain uncertain. How teams perceive this choice could play a vital role in their evaluation of his potential.

Shedeur Sanders (Colorado) – Sanders has been a leading name on many draft boards throughout the year. He excels as a timing and rhythm-based quarterback, performing best within a structured offensive environment. His arm strength is adequate for the NFL, allowing him to execute most schemes effectively, and he is notably accurate when operating within the confines of the play design. While he may not possess the same level of versatility as Ward, he has considerable upside, particularly within the “New West Coast” offensive philosophy championed by coaches like Sean McVay and Kyle Shannahan.

Although Ward has the agility to extend plays and scramble, he is not a traditional dual-threat quarterback and can struggle when the original play structure breaks down. His tendency to hold onto the ball too long results in a higher pressure-to-sack rate than most of the Giants’ other targets, aside from Quinn Ewers.

Concerns have arisen among fans regarding potential distractions arising from Shedeur’s familial connections. However, similar to Ward, it’s unclear how front offices will interpret these factors during evaluations.

Exploring Additional Quarterback Options

As reported by Breer, the Giants have also monitored three additional quarterbacks who are expected to participate in the 2025 NFL Draft. Each of these players possesses distinct traits that could be developed into valuable assets for a team, though they are more likely to be considered Day 2 selections rather than first-round picks.

Quinn Ewers (Texas) – Ewers, a former 5-star recruit, was regarded as the top quarterback in the 2021 recruiting class by several outlets. He has demonstrated impressive attributes, including good arm strength, accuracy, and the ability to throw with precision, alongside enough athleticism to extend plays when necessary.

Ewers was anticipated to emerge as a top QB prospect following the 2023 season. However, he did not meet expectations in 2024, displaying inconsistency and failing to capitalize on the skill set that made him a highly sought-after recruit. His alarming sack rate of 22.8 percent under pressure, coupled with a low average depth of target and a scarcity of “big time” throws, raises concerns about his readiness for the NFL.

Carson Beck (Georgia) – Beck has garnered interest from the Giants since they opted to draft Malik Nabers instead of selecting a quarterback last spring. Standing at 6-foot-4 and weighing 220 pounds, he possesses the prototypical size and arm strength necessary for making NFL throws, along with mobility to evade defenders. Despite the positive national attention, I found Beck’s accuracy underwhelming in 2023, and his performance took a noticeable decline in 2024 after losing key players like Brock Bowers and Ladd McConkey to the NFL.

Complicating matters for Beck, he suffered a UCL injury during the SEC Championship game against Texas. Although he was struggling before the injury, this setback will be teams’ last opportunity to evaluate his performance until he resumes throwing.

Jaxson Dart (Ole Miss) – Dart stands out as a fascinating prospect with exceptional physical tools, yet he may struggle to harness this potential at the NFL level.

Dart’s statistically remarkable season has placed him in the Ole Miss record books alongside both Archie and Eli Manning. He possesses great arm strength, accuracy, and the athleticism to be a dual-threat, significantly contributing to any running attack. He was arguably the best deep-ball passer in college football this year, leading the nation in explosive pass yards.

This performance is particularly appealing to the Giants, who have tailored their offensive strategies to leverage vertical threats, creating space underneath. However, Dart’s standout performances primarily came against weaker opponents, and the wide-open nature of Lane Kiffin’s offense may not translate well to the structured environment of the NFL. Questions remain about his adaptability to traditional NFL offenses, but his lack of experience in a different style doesn’t preclude potential success.

Quarterback Prospects with Uncertain Futures

According to Breer, the Giants have expressed sufficient interest in LSU’s Garrett Neussmeier to warrant executive scouting. However, Neussmeier has opted to return to school for the 2025 season. This decision likely makes sense for him personally, but it does remove a potential option from the Giants’ list.

Jalen Milroe (Alabama) – Milroe possesses an explosive skill set as a runner and has demonstrated the ability to deliver deep passes effectively, making him a suitable fit for the Giants’ offensive scheme. Despite his impressive development over the past two years, he still requires refinement as a technician and leader on the field. Notably, Milroe comes from a military family, which may resonate positively with the Giants’ organization.

However, Milroe remains in limbo regarding his draft status. His elite athletic potential and developmental path could position him as a first-round candidate, yet he has yet to declare for the draft. Like Neussmeier and Drew Allar, he may choose to return to school. Although many anticipate that Milroe will declare, he might feel he has “unfinished business” to address after Alabama’s failure to make the expanded College Football Playoffs.