The New York Giants have an important decision to make with the No. 3 overall pick, as the franchise determines whether or not to address the quarterback position in the 2025 NFL Draft or in free agency.
Head coach Brian Daboll and the Giants do not have a single active quarterback under contract for the 2025 season after parting ways with $140 million passer Daniel Jones and backups Drew Lock and Tommy DeVito.
Free agency is one avenue to fill the voids. The Rams agreed to terms with Matthew Stafford, leaving Aaron Rodgers as arguably the top option on the board after the Jets decided to go in a different direction under their new regime.
According to a new mock draft from ESPN's Jordan Reid, New York's options appear to be down to Rodgers or the top of the draft.
And that's where the Giants are projected to turn at this time by trading up to the No. 1 overall pick with Tennessee to select Miami's Cam Ward over Colorado's Shedeur Sanders.
"With Matthew Stafford agreeing to return to the Rams, the Giants' 2025 quarterback options seem to be down to Aaron Rodgers or drafting a quarterback of the future," Reid Wrote. "We're projecting the latter here, with New York sending its first-rounder (No. 3) and second-rounder (No. 34) in this draft and its third-round pick in 2026 to the Titans to have their choice between Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders."
"Several sources at the combine told me the Giants are exploring multiple options at quarterback, but the Giants can't exit this draft without their QB of the future," Reid wrote. "Holding the No. 3 pick in a draft with two surefire first-round quarterbacks means New York might have to trade up for a concrete chance at either of them."
Ward (6-foot-2, 219 pounds) helped lead Miami to a 10-3 record in his first and final season with Hurricanes. He earned ACC Player of the Year honors and was a Heisman Trophy finalist after leading the country in passing touchdowns (39) and finishing second in passing yards (4,313).
The former Incarnate Word and Washington State transfer finished his career as college football's all-time leader in career-touchdown passes (178).
"Ward is the top QB of this class," Reid wrote. "His combination of physical ability, improvisational skills and poise in big moments makes him an ideal selection for coach Brian Daboll. His 88.7 QBR was second in the FBS, and his 29 completions of 20-plus air yards tied for fifth."
Although Ward did go through measurements and interviews, he did not perform at the NFL combine in Indianapolis last week. Instead, the Giants and other potential suitors will have to wait to Miami's Pro Day on on March 24.
The 2025 NFL Draft will take place from April 24-26 in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
