The growing sentiment among fans and pundits is that the New York Giants are looking for alternatives at quarterback in the wake of yet another serious injury to Daniel Jones.
Jones missed the last half of the 2023 season with a torn ACL but was also dogged by a neck issue. The Giants had to lean on backup Tyron Taylor, and eventually, rookie Tommy DeVito.
The Giants hold the sixth overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft and will likely miss out on the top three quarterback prospects — USC’s Caleb Williams, Drake Maye of North Carolina, and LSU’s Jayden Daniels.
No. 6 seems to be too high in the order to select some other quarterback talent such as Washington’s Michael Penix, Jr, Bo Nix of Oregon, and Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy.
Matt Miller of ESPN believes that is exactly where the Giants will find themselves come draft day — should they stay at No. 6 — and will opt for a receiver instead of a passer. In this case, Washington’s Rome Odunze.
The run on pass-catchers is here in earnest! The Giants miss out on the top three quarterbacks, but the rumors swirling at the Senior Bowl among agents is that the Giants are more likely to add a veteran free agent QB to compete with Daniel Jones than draft one early. It would allow general manager Joe Schoen to pick up a true WR1 in Odunze, who led the nation in receiving in 2023 (1,640 yards).
At 6-foot-3 and 215 pounds, Odunze is a physical and aggressive player before and after the catch. He’s a dominant option on both back-shoulder fades and breaking routes. No matter who is throwing the ball, Odunze would immediately boost the Giants’ offense.
What’s most interesting is that Miller shares some of the rumors that swirled at the Senior Bowl. Most notably, that the Giants are leaning more toward signing a veteran quarterback than selecting a rookie in Round 1.
The Giants are locked into Jones for at least this season, so whoever they bring in is going to sit, unless Jones is not 100 percent healthy.
Taylor will be a free agent in March and could very well find himself back with the Giants, but the cost may be too high. DeVito showed flashes but was clearly over his head most of the time and needs more seasoning.
Some names to kick around (but don’t do it for too long): Kirk Cousins, Ryan Tannehill, Jacoby Brissett, Drew Lock, Gardner Minshew.
