The New York Giants have a viable starting quarterback on their roster now that they have signed Russell Wilson, but that does not mean their opinion on the upcoming NFL Draft has changed.
Wilson on Tuesday signed a 1-year deal with the Giants that is worth up to $21 million. While the contract includes a lot of incentives, Wilson will receive $10.5 million guaranteed. The money suggests New York envisions him as a starter.
The Giants currently have the No. 3 overall pick in the draft. Before they signed Wilson, the wide-ranging assumption was that they would try to land either Cam Ward or Shedeur Sanders. That might still be the plan.
ESPN draft analyst Matt Miller wrote in a column on Friday that he has heard the Giants are targeting a QB with the third overall pick.
“I’m hearing quarterback, even after signing Russell Wilson to a one-year deal,” Miller wrote. “A scout told me, ‘New York loving Shedeur is the worst-kept secret in the league right now.’ According to that scout, the Giants had a presence at every Colorado home game this season. The Wilson and Jameis Winston deals shouldn’t prevent the Giants from drafting a quarterback at No. 3 if one of the top two passers is available.”
Having Wilson in the mix could make the Giants feel less of a sense of urgency to trade up a spot or two, if that was even something they were considering before. But with Wilson only signed for one year and set to turn 37 in November, it makes sense for New York to still prioritize finding a long-term solution at the quarterback position.
Not long after the Giants signed Wilson, Art Stapleton and other reporters said Sanders remains very much in play at No. 3.
Giants may end up taking a non-QB at 3, but sources I talk to with knowledge of their plans say Shedeur Sanders "absolutely" in play, and team feels doubling up at QB was necessary with the way things have broken down in the room the last two years.
— Art Stapleton (@art_stapleton) March 26, 2025
Giving themselves options.
Wilson was asked this week about the possibility of the Giants drafting a quarterback, and he did not have a very enthusiastic response.
The reality is New York may have been the only team willing to offer Wilson a clear path to a starting job. The Giants were reportedly not Wilson’s top choice, and their draft plans could be one reason for that.
