Daniel Jones was a mistake that John Mara and Joe Schoen won’t soon forget. Not only did Mara greenlight then-New York Giants head coach Pat Shurmur to select Jones at No. 6 overall in the 2019 NFL Draft, but three seasons later, he also allowed Schoen, the newly appointed general manager, to give New York’s QB a four-year, $160 million contract — a deal many critics believe was unearned.
Last season, Jones was benched with two years left on his contract. The Giants attempted to move forward with Tommy DeVito, Drew Lock, and Tim Boyle, but none proved to be a long-term solution.
Now, with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Mara and Schoen have a chance to redeem themselves. While they may not return to contention immediately, PFSN’s latest mock draft suggests they could lay the foundation for a competitive roster for years to come if things go as planned.
Giants Predicted To Make Big Draft Trade and Land QB-WR Duo of the Future
On offense, the Giants’ biggest bright spot is wide receiver Malik Nabers, who had a breakout 2024 season. However, adding more weapons (and a quarterback) is crucial for New York’s long-term success.
That’s where PFSN’s Ian Cummings believes the draft will play a key role. In his latest seven-round mock draft, Cummings projects the Giants will trade up to No. 1 overall with the Tennessee Titans in exchange for pick Nos. 3 and 65, as well as a 2026 second-round selection.
With the top selection, the Giants are projected to take Miami Hurricanes quarterback Cam Ward.
“There’s no runaway franchise-caliber quarterback in the 2025 NFL Draft, but if you’re going to bet on anyone, bet on Cam Ward with his hyper-elite creation capacity, untethered arm elasticity, and zealous competitive chip.”
The Giants were looking to bring in Matthew Stafford, but New York could be desperate to find a quarterback after the veteran re-signed with the Los Angeles Rams. That urgency could push them to trade up for Ward, especially given the limited QB talent in this draft.
If the Giants go aggressive for their signal-caller, luck could be on their side in the second round. With their next pick, Cummings predicts New York will land Missouri wide receiver Luther Burden III.
“Luther Burden III’s slide stops in an exciting place. With Ward and Nabers in New York, Burden can function as the team’s elite RAC receiver underneath.”
A sturdy slot receiver with a blend of speed, power, and agility, Burden’s natural playmaking skills make him dangerous in space. He also has strong ball skills when allowed to stretch the field vertically.
Burden has shown progress as a route runner but still needs additional development. His yards-after-catch ability is arguably the best of any wide receiver in the 2025 NFL Draft class, making him an instant starter alongside Nabers. However, everything hinges on how draft night at Lambeau Field unfolds.
If the Giants follow Cummings’ blueprint, they could walk away with a solid offensive foundation to rebuild for the future.
Can an Influx of Talent Get the Giants Back on Track?
The 2024 campaign was another season to forget for the Giants. The possible addition of Ward solves a major hole under center. However, New York must invest in more than just a signal-caller to end a three-year playoff drought. The Giants ranked 31st in PFSN’s Offense+ metric with a 59.7 (F) score.
PFSN’s Sterling Xie wrote, “The Giants finished 29th in success rate in both the passing game and rushing game. They never had anything to build around after Saquon Barkley’s departure. This was also an impotent red-zone offense, ranking last in touchdown rate (43%) by a wide margin.”
Nabers’ stellar rookie season gives the Giants front office at least one player to build upon. Pairing him with another dynamic receiver, such as Burden or another prospect in the NFL Draft, could be the perfect way to support the beginning of Ward’s career should New York make the blockbuster move to trade up to first overall with the Titans and select the former Hurricanes QB.
With so much draft capital going towards fixing the passing game in this scenario, the rushing attack, which was also a hindrance to the offense in 2024, will likely need to be addressed elsewhere in the offseason.