Many draft experts have predicted the New York Giants will take a quarterback with the third overall selection in the 2025 NFL draft.
That may not be the case any longer after general manager Joe Schoen sent out signals last week that the Giants aren't necessarily locked into taking a quarterback at No. 3.
"We can go any which direction. We can go play a game right now," Schoen said. "So, it doesn't force you into a corner or force you to have to take something based on needs, so gives us optionality to go many different directions."
Schoen began the offseason with no quarterbacks under contract. He rectified that quickly by tendering Tommy DeVito's exclusive rights free agent (ERFA) option and then signing veterans Jameis Winston and Russell Wilson in free agency.
The room is full but the team still would like to add a young arm for the future. But the situation has to be right.
"If it matches up, if the value is right," Schoen said but stuck to his guns about taking the best player available. "We're in a position where we can take who we think is the best football player at that time."
And that appears to be the mindset around the NFL. Tennessee is almost certain to take Miami quarterback Cam Ward first overall. Cleveland is still deciding who they will draft at No. 2, but regardless of who they pick, the Giants will have a game-changing player available to them at No. 3.
"Talking to people who were at Colorado's Pro Day on Friday, they believe that the Giants will either go Abdul Carter or Travis Hunter, whichever one is available," ESPN's Jeremy Fowler said Sunday on SportsCenter.
"They have been linked to Shedeur Sanders as well, they need the quarterback. So, those appear to be their options right now, but they look comfortable taking the best player available at No. 3."
And that player will be either Carter or Hunter, it seems. The team has done its due diligence on both players as well as Sanders. They sent a massive contingent to Colorado's pro day last week to check out both Sanders and Hunter, but they are apparently not prepared to take Sanders with the third pick.
"New York can justify passing up on Sanders in favor of his Heisman Trophy-winning teammate," draft analyst Matt Holder said. "Hunter gives the Giants' defense another starting corner to replace Deonte Banks, who has struggled to begin his career, and a fourth pass-catcher to make an impact in offensive sub-packages alongside Malik Nabers."
Hunter would be the best player for the Giants as he checks multiple boxes. He can add value in all three phases of the game as well as add speed and excitement.
Carter would be a nice consolation prize. The Giants already have a solid pass rush with Brian Burns, Kayvon Thibodeaux, Dexter Lawrence, and Chauncey Golston. Adding Carter to that mix would make their defense a formidable one.
This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: NFL teams expect Giants to draft Abdul Carter or Travis Hunter
