The New York Giants cost themselves the first overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft by defeating the Indianapolis Colts in Week 17. If New York wants to move up from the third overall pick to draft quarterback Cam Ward, it will come at a significant cost.
New York has made its intentions clear since the start of the offseason. Giants general manager Joe Schoen began by focusing on veteran quarterbacks, aggressively pursuing a Matthew Stafford trade. As soon as that deal fell through, the team pivoted its quarterback search to Aaron Rodgers and Russell Wilson.
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There have also been persistent NFL rumors over the last two weeks suggesting the Giants front office is strongly considering a move up to the first overall pick. The Tennessee Titans have stated their willingness to trade down, especially if it means the team is still in a position to draft Travis Hunter or Abdul Carter.
Trading down with New York, acquiring the third pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, would allow Tennessee to do that. The question is what the cost would be to acquire the No. 1 overall selection.
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Appearing on GoJo and Golic, NFL national reporter Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com shed light on what the Giants’ front office is willing to give up for the top pick.
“They’re trying not to give up their future first-round picks, so it’s probably multiple Day 2 picks, whether it’s this year or next year, whatever it may be…We have to realize, not all first-round picks are created equal, right? Cause, the Giants have the No. 3 pick overall, which is extremely valuable.”
Jordan Raanan on what the New York Giants are willing to trade the Tennessee Titans for the No. 1 pick
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Senior NFL reporter Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports also discussed the possibility of trading down on Friday’s episode of the Inside Coverage podcast. He emphasized that the inclusion of a future first-round pick would likely be very dependent on how far Tennessee moves down in the 2025 NFL Draft order. If the Titans can still snag either Hunter or Carter, widely viewed as the two best prospects, they’ll be more willing to make a deal without receiving a future first.
Cam Ward stats (ESPN): 4,313 passing yards, 67.2% completion rate, 9.5 ypa, 39-7 TD-INT, 204 rushing yards, 4 rushing touchdowns
Whether Tennessee keeps the first overall pick or trades it to New York, quarterback Cam Ward would likely be the selection. In the eyes of NFL talent evaluators, there’s a significant gap between Ward and Shedeur Sanders as prospects, with Ward the only one viewed as worthy of taking at No. 1 overall.
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Importantly, the Giants might still attempt to trade up for Ward even if they are successful in their pursuit of Rodgers or Wilson. Either veteran quarterback would be a one-year starter, keeping the team competitive, before Ward would take over as the Giants starting quarterback by 2026 at the latest.