PALM BEACH, Fla. - The Giants have been running their offseason on "parallel tracks" with regard to multiple quarterback scenarios and negotiations, some of which were happening with numerous players at the same time.
In terms of what general manager Joe Schoen wanted to accomplish on the defensive side of the ball, that quest in free agency came from a somewhat different angle. The Giants are not thinking Band-Aids or temporary fixes, mind you, but rather building "something sustainable."
The Giants added safety Jevon Holland and cornerback Paulson Adebo, a pair of top of the market signings that upgrade a secondary within a defense of which co-owner John Mara now-famously said the day after a 3-win campaign, "I'm tired of watching teams go up and down the field on us."
Schoen was quick to point out Monday morning at the NFL Annual Meeting that the Giants believe they have built a core ready for success "for the foreseeable future." That begins with Dexter Lawrence and Brian Burns, yet a weakness on the back end could emerge as a potential strength with Adebo, Tae Banks and Dru Phillips at cornerback and the tandem of Holland and Tyler Nubin at safety.
And that brings the Giants to the NFL Draft where, if they decide to pass on a quarterback at No. 3, they could end up with one of a pair of defensive gems in cornerback/wide receiver Travis Hunter and edge rusher Abdul Carter.
Schoen insisted the Giants are set up where they don’t have to take a quarterback, either at No. 3 or at all. There's no question they will select one “if it matches up, if the value is right," but the team has given itself options.
Here are other takeaways from Schoen's interview session with coach Brian Daboll set to meet the media here on Tuesday morning:
QB or no QB at No. 3?
The Giants have given themselves options. They will still have private workouts with Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders. They have also spent time with Jaxson Dart last week at the Ole Miss Pro Day, and Daboll has strong connections to Jalen Milroe at Alabama. Who can forget Daboll's declaration on Draft Day that Nick Saban, Milroe's former coach, told him the two players to consider at No. 6 were Malik Nabers and Brock Bowers, who was drafted by the Raiders?
Schoen acknowledged that, if all things were equal, a quarterback holds more weight than any other position - especially when you don't have one for the long term.
"Yeah, in a perfect world, you're absolutely right. Franchise quarterback, I think every GM here would sign up for that," Schoen said. "You got to go through and they’ve got to check all the boxes and there's got to be one there."
Mr. Holland's opus: A draft history
Schoen says pre-draft visits and evaluations have a long-term impact for teams, echoing sentiments he has made previously. Said one of those that came into play this year: Schoen was involved in scouting Holland when he was in Buffalo. Actually still has a Zoom recording with him from back then on his phone.
"I think the Giants and the people that they've brought in and the people that they have, have a desire to breed excellence," Holland said after signing a three-year, $45.3 million deal. "I think this environment is ...