The New York Giants entered the offseason with a handful of needs, most importantly at quarterback. The sport's most important position has been addressed, at least in some capacity, by Friday's addition of quarterback Jameis Winston.
At two years and $8 million, Winston is being paid like a backup. That doesn't mean he won't start, but it does open the door for the Giants to add Aaron Rodgers or Russell Wilson and have two experienced passers in the same room. New York's work clearly isn't done, and taking a quarterback with the No. 3 pick remains a likely outcome, too.
However, building a proper supporting cast is as important as the passer general manager Joe Schoen might pick, and his job is not yet finished – even if a veteran mentor is a welcome addition.
In Sports Illustrated's ranking of the teams with the most work to do before the 2025 NFL Draft, Schoen's roster trails only the Cleveland Browns (albeit before the Winston signing). Clearly, the Giants roster needs more than a quarterback.
"New York could find its starting quarterback with the No. 3 pick, but the Titans will probably take Ward No. 1," Gilberto Manzano wrote. "There's also Shedeur Sanders, but the draft experts aren't as high on him, perhaps giving the Giants a tough decision if Ward is off the board by the time they're on the clock."
If New York opts not to take Sanders, it seems like one of Colorado corner/receiver Travis Hunter or Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter would hear their name called, depending on which one doesn't come off the board at No. 2. Both have made strong cases to be a top pick, but Hunter fits two needs on the Giants roster.
It isn't entirely clear whether Hunter will truly play every snap like he did in college or if he'll only moonlight at receiver or corner. Either option would serve New York well. If one believes he's a first-round caliber receiver, he's a plug-and-play option over veteran Darius Slayton, even after a new $36 million deal. He can also push receiver Malik Nabers into the slot for packages that take Wan'Dale Robinson off the field instead.
At corner, he'd fit nicely next to the newly-signed Paulson Adebo and allow New York to make 2023 first-round pick Deonte Banks a depth contributor rather than an every-down starter along the boundary.
Hunter would bolster New York on the perimeter, but the trenches are unfinished, too.
Related: 3 Losers of Giants Free Agency
"They have needs on the interior of the offensive line and desperately need left tackle Andrew Thomas to stay healthy," Manzano continued. "New York's to-be-determined starting quarterback could also use help at tight end and another reliable wide receiver."
The biggest need remaining at the line of scrimmage is at defensive tackle, where Dexter Lawrence is without a running mate. Roy Robertson-Harris and Jeremiah Ledbetter are nice depth signings, but until New York has a tackle capable of taking advantage of Lawrence's double teams or forcing his own, the upside of the unit is capped.
In a deep defensive tackle class, expect the Giants to look for a potential starter on Day 2, regardless of how they spend their first-round pick.
Related: BREAKING: Giants Finally Sign Quarterback
Copyright 2025 Athlon Sports. All rights reserved.
This story was originally published March 22, 2025 at 3:05 PM.
Sports Pass is your ticket to Kansas City sports
#ReadLocal