As the 2025 NFL Draft approaches, set for April 24-26 in Green Bay, Wisconsin, the New York Giants find themselves at a crossroads, desperately seeking a franchise quarterback to restore the team to its former glory. With the No. 3 overall pick in hand after a dismal 3-14 season in 2024, the Giants are in prime position to select a signal-caller who could define their future. At the center of their draft speculation is Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders, a polarizing prospect who has been linked to New York for months. But can Sanders be the answer to the Giants’ quarterback woes, or will the team’s ecosystem and draft dynamics push them in another direction?
The Giants’ Quarterback Crisis
The Giants’ quarterback situation has been a revolving door of disappointment since Eli Manning’s retirement. Daniel Jones, once seen as the heir apparent, was benched and later cut in 2024 after a 2-8 start, leaving the team with Tommy DeVito as a stopgap. The Giants’ 2024 season ended with a franchise-record 10-game losing streak and a winless NFC East record, underscoring the urgency for a long-term solution. General Manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll, both facing a make-or-break year, have made it clear that finding a quarterback is the top priority—owner John Mara has publicly called it “the No. 1 issue” for the team.
To address the immediate need, the Giants signed veteran quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston in free agency, a move that gives them a bridge starter for 2025. However, Schoen has emphasized that the team must draft a quarterback capable of winning a Super Bowl if they use a high pick, a sentiment echoed in his recent comments at the annual league meeting in Florida. With Wilson, 36, and Winston, 31, not seen as long-term fixes, the pressure is on to find a rookie who can develop into a franchise cornerstone.
Shedeur Sanders: The Prospect in the Spotlight
Shedeur Sanders has been a name tied to the Giants since before the 2024 season ended, with multiple league insiders noting the team’s interest. Sanders, the son of NFL Hall of Famer and Colorado head coach Deion Sanders, has been a standout at Colorado, leading the Buffaloes to a 9-4 record in 2024. His stats are impressive: 4,134 passing yards, 37 touchdowns, and just eight interceptions, with a 75.5 QBR that ranked him 20th nationally. He earned first-team All-Big 12 honors, the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year award, and the Johnny Unitas Award, cementing his status as one of the top quarterback prospects in the 2025 class.
Scouts praise Sanders as the most polished pocket passer in this year’s draft. His 6.5% off-target percentage was the third-lowest in the FBS, and he excels at throwing with touch and anticipation, often leading receivers away from coverage with precise ball placement. At 6-foot-2 and 215 pounds, Sanders is a fearless competitor, taking 99 sacks over the past two seasons behind a shaky offensive line but consistently getting back up to deliver in clutch moments. His mental toughness and ability to dissect defenses when protected make him a high-floor prospect with the potential to be a franchise quarterback.
However, Sanders isn’t without flaws. His 2.96 seconds-to-throw average ranked 110th in the FBS, and he led the nation with 42 sacks taken in 2024, a trend that continued from his 2023 season. Critics point to his tendency to hold onto the ball too long, waiting for receivers to break open rather than throwing with anticipation or discarding the ball to avoid pressure. Physically, he’s the least impressive of the top quarterback prospects—his arm strength is adequate but not elite, and at 23 years old, his relatively slight frame is likely maxed out, offering little room to add mass. Additionally, Sanders isn’t a dynamic runner, described as a “functional” athlete rather than a dual-threat playmaker.
Off the field, Sanders brings baggage that could concern teams. His father, Deion, has been vocal about wanting to influence where Shedeur lands, even suggesting he might refuse to let his son play for certain franchises. An NFC scout reportedly noted before the 2024 season that drafting Shedeur means drafting the entire Sanders family, which could bring distractions or drama. Sanders himself has been criticized for moments of immaturity, such as shoving a referee during a 2024 game, and some anonymous reports have painted him as arrogant, though others highlight his leadership through toughness and accountability.
The Draft Landscape: Sanders vs. the Field
The 2025 quarterback class is widely considered weaker than the 2024 group, which featured talents like Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels. Sanders is often ranked as the No. 2 quarterback behind Miami’s Cam Ward, who boasts a 92.9 PFF overall grade and more dynamic physical traits, including better mobility and arm strength. Ward is the consensus favorite to go No. 1 overall to the Tennessee Titans, who are also in dire need of a quarterback after a lackluster 2024. The Cleveland Browns, picking at No. 2, are a wild card—while they need a long-term answer with Deshaun Watson’s contract a financial albatross, some insiders believe they might opt for a non-quarterback like Colorado’s two-way star Travis Hunter or Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter.
If the Browns pass on a quarterback, Sanders could be available for the Giants at No. 3. However, recent buzz suggests uncertainty. On April 3, 2025, NFL insider Adam Schefter said on the Pat McAfee Show that it “feels” like both the Browns and Giants might look elsewhere, with the Giants potentially prioritizing other positions after signing Wilson and Winston. Schoen’s comments on April 7 at the league meeting—that the team “can go in any direction” with the third pick—add to the ambiguity. Yet, sentiment on platforms like X shows strong fan and analyst belief that Sanders to the Giants is a near-certainty, with some citing a 51% chance on PolymarketSport betting odds as of late March.
Other quarterback options for the Giants include Ole Miss’ Jaxson Dart, a potential Day 2 pick, and Alabama’s Jalen Milroe, who offers electric athleticism but has been inconsistent. If Sanders and Ward are off the board, the Giants might consider trading down to accumulate more picks, a strategy Schoen has hinted at, especially in a draft class seen as lacking top-tier quarterback talent.
Can the Giants’ Ecosystem Support Sanders?
Even if the Giants draft Sanders, their ability to develop him into a franchise quarterback is far from guaranteed. Recent history shows that top quarterback picks often struggle on bad teams—look at Sam Darnold and Baker Mayfield, who found success only after leaving their drafting franchises. The Giants’ 3-14 record in 2024 reflects a roster with significant holes, particularly on the offensive line, which allowed 85 sacks last season, the second-most in the NFL. Sanders, who has already taken 152 sacks in college, could face similar pressure in New York, potentially stunting his growth or leading to injury.
The offensive coaching staff is a bright spot. Brian Daboll, a former offensive coordinator who helped develop Josh Allen in Buffalo, has a track record of working with quarterbacks, and assistants Mike Kafka and Shea Tierney are well-regarded. The Giants also have a budding star in wide receiver Malik Nabers, who could form a dynamic duo with Sanders, giving him a reliable target to grow with. However, the team lacks depth at other skill positions, and the running game, led by Devin Singletary, is average at best.
Culturally, Sanders might thrive in New York’s spotlight. Having grown up under the scrutiny of being Deion Sanders’ son, he’s accustomed to pressure and media attention. His laid-back leadership style—described as leading by example rather than being a vocal “rah-rah” guy—could mesh well with a Giants locker room that needs a steady presence. But the potential for drama, whether from Deion’s influence or Shedeur’s own maturity questions, could test the organization’s patience, especially if early results are rocky.
The Verdict: A High-Stakes Gamble
Shedeur Sanders has the tools to be a franchise quarterback for the Giants—his accuracy, toughness, and pocket-passing ability are tailor-made for the NFL, and his experience in high-pressure situations could help him handle New York’s intense market. Pairing him with Nabers and a quarterback-friendly staff in Daboll’s system could set the stage for a successful career. But the risks are significant: his pocket navigation issues, average physical traits, and the Giants’ shaky roster could lead to a rough transition, especially if the offensive line doesn’t improve.
The Giants’ decision at No. 3 will hinge on their conviction in Sanders’ ceiling. If they believe he can be a top-10 NFL quarterback, they’ll likely pull the trigger, even with Ward off the board. If doubts linger—whether about Sanders, the draft class, or their own ability to develop him—they might pivot to a non-quarterback like Hunter or Carter, or trade down for more assets while relying on Wilson to bridge the gap. With the draft just weeks away, the Giants’ quest for a franchise quarterback remains one of the most compelling storylines of 2025. Sanders could be the answer—but only if New York can build the right foundation around him.
