As the 2025 NFL Draft continues to get closer, just about every quarterback prospect has been mentioned as a possible option for the New York Giants.
Big Blue has been mentioned as one of the neediest teams for a quarterback, even after signing both Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston in free agency. Several mock drafts still list the Giants taking Shedeur Sanders with the No. 3 overall pick. But some aren’t as sold on Sanders for the Giants as others.
Of course, there’s also the possibility that Sanders might not even be on the board when the Giants are on the clock at No. 3.
So what do they need to do for the draft? It’s an improved quarterback room, but none of these players are considered long-term options for the Giants’ quarterback position. The Giants could always address needs and best players available through the first couple of rounds and then look at a potential project pick during Day 3 of the draft, which is what Jordan Plocher at Pro Football Focus is suggesting with Ohio State quarterback Will Howard.
“Barring a trade up to No. 1 or No. 2, the Giants are likely to miss out on Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders — unless the Browns pass on a quarterback. If Sanders falls to No. 3, the Giants can address their biggest need right away. But if quarterbacks come off the board with the first two picks, New York could pivot to the top non-quarterback available and circle back to the position later. Howard, a highly experienced starter, could be a strong Day 2 or Day 3 option, as his 57.0% completion rate under pressure ranks No. 1 in the draft class.“
Howard is fresh off leading the Buckeyes to a National Championship over Notre Dame. In his first and only season for Ohio State, Howard threw for 4,010 yards, 35 touchdown passes, and completed 73 percent of his passes. He spent four years at Kansas State before transferring to Ohio State.
Drafting Howard would allow the Giants to put him behind Wilson and Winston and not force his development if they decided to use a Day 2 or 3 pick on him. There’s also the risk that Joe Schoen and Brian Daboll draft Howard as a potential quarterback project and then aren’t able to see it through if John Mara decides to pull the plug on them after the 2025 season—especially since Mara is already running out of patience.
But would Mara really do that again to another regime—especially another coach—like he did at the end of the 2019 season when he fired Pat Shurmur after just one year with Daniel Jones as the Giants’ quarterback? A lot of people felt Shurmur should’ve returned for at least a second season to continue Jones’ development. If a new regime takes over in 2026, there’s no guarantee they’d stick with Howard and see his progress through.
However, if Schoen and Daboll are truly part of the Giants’ long-term plan and get the chance to stay and develop the quarterback of their choice—and that guy is Howard—that could be a good thing moving forward.
Howard would get an NFL education from two polished veterans, one of whom won a Super Bowl. He’d also have a chance to throw to an electric receiver in Malik Nabers. And if the Giants skip selecting a quarterback in Round 1, there’s a chance Colorado’s Travis Hunter could be part of the offense too, which some mock drafts have predicted.
It may all come down to where the quarterbacks land—or don’t—next month. But if Schoen is serious about taking those swings at quarterback like he’s said, Howard might be worth a look as the long-term solution this franchise desperately needs.
