The Giants are still waiting on Aaron Rodgers, who reportedly prefers the Vikings (and maybe the Steelers and maybe also retirement) over them.
And yes, the Vikings and Steelers are both better landing spots for Rodgers.
As Rodgers fallback options, the Giants are considering Russell Wilson, Joe Flacco and Jameis Winston. They have hosted all three on free agent visits. (Winston’s visit began Monday and concludes Tuesday.)
If the Giants sign Rodgers (or Wilson), there’s a good chance they will pass on a quarterback in Round 1 of this year’s draft. But if they settle for Flacco or Winston, it would be harder to sell that approach.
By the way, as everyone knows, the Giants aren’t a lock to get Cam Ward or Shedeur Sanders, even though they pick third, because they’re behind two quarterback-needy teams (Titans and Browns).
At this point, it would be a surprise if the Titans traded the No. 1 pick to the Giants. They’ll probably stay there and take Ward. If Wilson signs with the Browns, Shedeur Sanders could be there for the Giants at No. 3.
Or maybe Ward and Sanders go first and second — which would be the nightmare scenario for the Giants if they have to settle for Flacco or Winston, since no other quarterback prospect is worth drafting third.
But for now, let’s presume the Giants do land Rodgers or Wilson — and do decide to pass on a quarterback (Sanders or someone else) at No. 3.
In that scenario, who could the Giants pick in the later rounds? Let’s take a look at some possibilities, since Ward and Sanders are considered the only first-round talents in this weak quarterback draft.
After No. 3, the Giants pick 34th in Round 2 and 65th and 99th in Round 3. Those are all premium picks. After that, they don’t pick until 105th in Round 4 and 154th in Round 5.
Of course, they could always trade up into, say, the end of Round 1 or even Round 2 (if they don’t want a quarterback at No. 34, in addition to passing on one at No. 3). That extra third-round pick gives them ammo.
Ward and Sanders are unsurprisingly the top two quarterbacks on Pro Football Focus' big board. They’re 21st and 47th overall, among all prospects in this draft. That’s how bad this quarterback group is.
These are the other quarterbacks in PFF’s top 150 prospects: Jalen Milroe (96th), Will Howard (108th), Riley Leonard (118th), Jaxson Dart (126th), Dillon Gabriel (128th) and Quinn Ewers (139th).
All of those quarterbacks should be available for the Giants at No. 34. And a decent number of them probably will be available at No. 65.
But before that, the Giants need to finally figure out which veteran quarterback they’re going to sign. For now, they’re just waiting on Rodgers — and the Vikings, since it’s not clear if they want him.
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Darryl Slater may be reached atdslater@njadvancemedia.com.