At a certain point not long ago in the pre-draft process, the link between quarterback Shedeur Sanders, the New York Giants and the third overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft appeared broken.
Then news broke Monday that Giants’ brass and head coach Brian Daboll were flying to Colorado for a private workout Thursday with Sanders, shortly before the first round kicks off.
“It’s interesting, because I was kind of at the point where I was feeling like I could basically close the door on the Giants taking a quarterback, specifically Shedeur, at number three,” The Ringer and Spotify NFL draft analyst Todd McShay told USA TODAY Sports.
The consensus is that the Tennessee Titans will take quarterback Cam Ward first overall, followed by the Cleveland Browns picking two-way star and reigning Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter second.
USA TODAY Sports’ ace draft expert Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz predicted the Giants would take Sanders at No. 3 overall in his latest mock draft. So let’s examine what New York’s last-minute check-in – unusual at this point in the process – with the son of Hall of Famer and Colorado head coach Deion Sanders really means.
How involved is Giants owner John Mara?
McShay had a couple of conversations Sunday afternoon and evening as Rory McIlroy wrapped up his career grand-slam and won the 2025 Masters that left him with the impression Sanders was still in play for the Giants.
The information McShay received was that the Giants would still likely be taking Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter, largely considered the top overall prospect in this year’s class, at No. 3. But the workout with Sanders indicated to McShay that there is at least one prominent decision-maker in the organization pushing Sanders.
“Now what I don’t know is, is this an ownership thing? Which could very often be the case,” McShay said.
For two years, the Giants played second-fiddle on the New York tabloids’ back pages to the New York Jets and the Aaron Rodgers Experience. Getting an opportunity to bring in a player with name recognition and following like Sanders could be appealing beyond football matters.
“The exposure, and his father and the commercials probably has some appeal,” McShay said.
Giants general manager Joe Schoen said the late workout was a matter of how the calendar worked out this year; the Giants don’t normally conduct private workouts prior to a prospect’s pro day, and Colorado’s pro day was April 4.
‘We’ll be open to all options,’ Schoen said Wednesday. ‘Those type of strategy sessions have been ongoing and talking through different scenarios. We’re always going to be open.’
Northjersey.com, part of the USA TODAY Network, reported Wednesday that the visit with Sanders was part of a three-day trip. The Giants are also holding private workouts with former Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe and former Louisville quarterback Tyler Shough.
Would Giants trade back up for Shedeur Sanders?
The same day outlets reported on the Giants’ brass checking out Sanders again, another visit caught the eyes of those around the league – that Carter was visiting with the New England Patriots, who hold the fourth overall selection. A team bringing in a prospect of Carter’s caliber who could fall to them isn’t necessarily noteworthy, but the timing is interesting.
And it is certainly the season of smokescreens, McShay noted.
“Just because they pass on Shedeur (at No. 3 overall) doesn’t mean they can’t move back up, though,” McShay said.
The Giants hold the second pick of the second round (34th overall) and could use that as leverage to trade into the middle of the first round. The Pittsburgh Steelers, who need a quarterback and pick 21st, could be in play for Sanders should the New Orleans Saints not take him ninth overall. Teams that want Sanders but not at a top-10 price would likely have to jump Pittsburgh to snag him.
Do Russell Wilson, Jameis Winston signings impact thinking?
Unlike the Steelers, this year’s victim of Rodgers’ waiting games, the Giants have two viable, veteran starting options they signed earlier in the offseason. Russell Wilson is on a two-year deal, and Jameis Winston is slated to be the backup.
“I don’t think Russell and Jameis have anything to do with whether they’re going to take Shedeur at three or another quarterback at 34 or trading back into the first round,” McShay said.
The Giants are taking a quarterback third, 34th or somewhere in between, McShay believes. But don’t expect him to play immediately.
That gives Daboll the flexibility to start a veteran and not “have to deal with the rollercoaster and ups-and-downs” that come with starting a rookie Week 1. Veteran leadership and a supporting cast around him will help whoever the new quarterback is to learn the ropes. Circumstance or readiness will eventually press him into action while creating excitement about the future.
“But what the real purpose would be is give him time, don’t force him to the fire, don’t let him take a shot to his confidence, and develop in the right way,” McShay said.
Winning now but an unknown future
The day after the season ended, Mara essentially laid out an ultimatum for Schoen and Daboll: win in 2025 or lose your job.
McShay likes to put himself in the seat of the general manager or the head coach for each team as he’s forecasting.
“There is a human element to this, right? If they don’t go and win some games this year, the Mara family, no matter how much they love Joe and Brian, they got to (let them) go,” McShay said. “And Joe and Brian would be the first to tell you they know the rules.”
Which is why the brass have a lot riding on the next week, from the time they board a plane to the Rocky Mountains, to the time they turn in their draft card on April 24.