Two quarterbacks have separated themselves from the rest of the 2025 NFL Draft class. Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders and Miami’s Cam Ward appear to have elevated into their own tier.
With the draft already short on quarterback talent and several teams still searching for a reliable starter, multiple franchises could trade up to secure one of the two. According to FOX Sports’ Jordan Schultz, the New York Giants are the favorites.
Giants Favorites To Trade Up for Cam Ward or Shedeur Sanders
Daniel Jones remains a decision that John Mara and Joe Schoen won’t soon forget. Mara, who has owned the Giants for more than two decades, is reminded of it daily. Not only did he approve former head coach Pat Shurmur’s suggestion of Jones at No. 6 overall in the 2019 NFL Draft, but three seasons later, he also allowed newly appointed general manager Joe Schoen to sign Jones to a four-year, $160 million contract — an unearned deal in the eyes of many critics.
Jones was benched last season with two years left on his contract. The Giants attempted to move forward with Tommy DeVito, Drew Lock, and Tim Boyle, but none of them proved to be a long-term solution.
Now, sitting at No. 3 overall in the 2025 NFL Draft, Mara and Schoen have a chance at redemption. Schultz reported that multiple sources have confirmed New York as the leading candidate to trade up for Ward or Sanders.
The Giants are also considering free agents Russell Wilson, Aaron Rodgers, and Joe Flacco. However, even if they sign one of them, Schultz doesn’t expect them to pass on a rookie quarterback for another year.
“Wilson is scheduled to visit New York again Friday. Yet, as owners of the No. 3 overall pick in the draft, the Giants are viewed by league sources as a prime candidate to trade up to ensure they get either Ward or Sanders.
“This administration is firmly aware they need to be much more competitive — and aesthetically pleasing — than last season, so adding a proven vet like Wilson tracks, but it also seems highly unlikely that Schoen and coach Brian Daboll would go another year without securing a rookie quarterback,” he argued.
The Giants need a young signal-caller regardless of who they sign in free agency. While they are not projected to trade up in PFSN’s latest three-round mock draft by Marco Enriquez, they are expected to select Sanders at No. 3.
“The New York Giants are running out of options at quarterback this offseason. If they miss out on the top available QBs, they’ll need to find an answer quickly … Sanders is the most accurate passer in this class and has the mobility to extend plays. While some question his arm strength, pairing him with Malik Nabers could ease those concerns early in his career.”
Meanwhile, Enriquez projects Ward to go early to the Cleveland Browns.
“The Cleveland Browns may still be stuck in quarterback limbo with Deshaun Watson, but they can begin looking toward the future in 2025. It’s becoming increasingly likely that they take their QB of the future in Cam Ward.
“Ward, a fifth-year player, enters the draft with valuable experience, much like Jayden Daniels and Bo Nix last year. While Ward is two tiers below Daniels in my current prospect grading, his potential is clear. His mechanics are sound, but his decision-making and accuracy will be the biggest concerns at the next level.”
Ward and Sanders are both attractive options for the Giants. Even if they don’t trade up, they are likely to land one of the two at No. 3. Both quarterbacks put up impressive numbers last season, with Sanders throwing for 4,134 yards and 37 touchdowns on a 74% completion rate, while Ward posted 4,313 yards and 39 touchdowns on a 67.2% completion rate.