PALM BEACH, Fla. —John Mara made his offseason priority clear when he last spoke in January: The Giants need to find their new franchise quarterback, be it in the draft or free agency.
It sure sounds like general manager Joe Schoen is leaning toward the latter.
Speaking at the league’s annual meeting Monday morning, Schoen seemed content with the idea of not drafting a QB with the No. 3 pick and instead rolling into the season with some combination of Russell Wilson, Jameis Winston, Tommy DeVito and a rookie drafted in a later round.
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“We can go any which direction,” Schoen said, when asked how the WIlson and Winston signings impact his draft plans. “It doesn’t force you into a corner or force you to have to take something based on need.”
This change in tone comes after months of speculation that the Giants would select Shedeur Sanders, who some scouts believe is closer to most Day 2 prospects than he is to No. 1 QB prospect Cam Ward. Multiple people across the league wondered if the Giants had soured on the idea of drafting Sanders after the Winston signing. The Wilson signing only added fuel to that.
This new plan would be the best possible outcome.
Assuming the Titans take Ward at No. 1, one of Abdul Carter or Travis Hunter would fall right into their lap — a potentially generational consolation prize. This line of thinking signifies that Schoen, who’s square on the hot seat, is considering the Giants’ long-term success, rather than forcing a QB to save his job. Asked if it would be “hard” to pass on Hunter or Carter, Schoen offered another answer that showed his reluctance to reach on a QB in such a weak draft.
“We’re in a position where we can take who we think is the best football player at that time,” said Schoen, who bolstered his roster with the signings of Jevon Holland, Paulson Adebo and Chauncey Golstonthis offseason.
The Giants would obviously welcome either prospect, but one team source, who spoke with NJ Advance Media on the condition of anonymity at last month’s scouting combine, raved about Hunter’s fit with the team.
“He might fit our [the Giants’] needs more than any other team,” the source said, before gushing about his offensive abilities (an interesting note considering the Giants view him as a corner).
This is an interesting wrinkle ahead of the draft, which takes place in Green Bay on April 24. Let’s see if Schoen sticks to his guns.
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Ryan Novozinsky may be reached at rnovozinsky@njadvancemedia.com. You can follow him on X@ryannovoNFL