Giants open to drafting quarterback with Daniel Jones questions lurking
MOBILE, Ala. — If quarterback is where the long and usually winding process leads the Giants, they will take one in the first round of the draft.
The Giants own the No. 6-overall pick, and scouting and evaluating the top-tier quarterbacks will be a strong emphasis this year — even with the belief in the building that Daniel Jones, coming off reconstructive knee surgery, will be ready to roll this summer.
“Where we are, we’re in a good spot at six, we’re gonna look at every position we have needs across the board, offensively and defensively,’’ general manager Joe Schoen said Tuesday morning from the site of the Senior Bowl. “Daniel’s in the building every day working hard. The expectation is for him to be the starter when he’s healthy going into camp, and we’re gonna be thorough with our process at every position during the draft — regardless whether it’s quarterback, running back, safety, corner, whatever it is. We’ll take a good player at six.’’
Sure enough, the Giants need another “good player’’ on their offensive line, at wide receiver, at edge rusher and at safety, if Xavier McKinney leaves in free agency.
Ideally, they could concentrate on those areas in the first round, secure in the belief that Jones is the answer for at least the life of his four-year, $160 million contract.
Based on how poorly Jones played in the six games he started and a fresh batch of serious injury concerns, there is nothing ideal about the inhabitants of a quarterback room — Jones and Tommy DeVito, with Tyrod Taylor headed for free agency.
Schoen and the Giants’ contingent attending the Senior Bowl will get another first-hand look at Bo Nix (Oregon) and Michael Penix Jr. (Washington), two of the higher-rated quarterback prospects after the presumed Big 3 of Caleb Williams (USC), Drake Maye (North Carolina) and Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels (LSU).
Those top three could all be off the board when the Giants are on the clock at No. 6, and it will be difficult — but not impossible — for the Giants to move up a few spots to grab one of them, if that is their desire.
The worst thing the Giants could do is force the issue at the most critical and, too often, the most difficult position on the field to get right high in the draft.
Schoen and the Giants at this time last year put their trust in Jones, who was coming off a fully healthy 2023 season and helped his team to a winning record and the first playoff victory for the franchise since 2011.
The new contract certainly was a commitment to him, but there were protections that somewhat mitigated the risk to the team. Though Jones is guaranteed $36 million next season, the Giants can get out of his deal after the year with a dead cap hit of $22.2 million or after 2025 with a hit of $11.1 million.
If there is a quarterback in this draft in the first or second round the Giants can foresee sitting behind Jones for a year then possibly taking over, that would be an attractive option. Of course, if Jones, 26, returns to full health and plays well, all the better for the organization — competition at the position is never a bad thing.
The Giants must be cognizant that Jones has endured three serious injuries in a short time — two neck issues and a torn ACL. That was not an issue when they struck the deal with Jones, but it is now.
Schoen said he spoke with running back Saquon Barkley, an impending free agent, on the Friday after the season ended. He characterized it as a “good conversation,’’ and it will not be the last conversation.
“He was getting ready to go to Africa for a Super Bowl commercial,’’ Schoen said. “The plan is to circle up with his representatives when we get to the combine.’’
The NFL scouting combine is Feb. 29-March 3 in Indianapolis.
The Giants can always use the franchise tag on Barkley, which is estimated to be about $12 million. There is no indication Schoen wants to shave that much money off the 2024 salary cap for Barkley.
The Giants last year offered Barkley a deal that would have guaranteed him more than $13 million for the 2024 season, but he turned it down. That was after Barkley stayed healthy all season, rushed for a career-high 1,312 yards, and the Giants made the playoffs. Barkley missed three games in 2023 with a high ankle sprain and ran for 962 yards.
There were 15 running backs in the league who surpassed Barkley’s total. He turns 27 on Feb. 9, making it difficult to foresee the Giants coming close to matching last year’s offer this time around.
