The New York Giants hold the sixth overall selection in the 2024 NFL draft and according to SNY’s Connor Hughes, all options are still on the table after Round 1 of free agency — even quarterback.
“The main position to watch here is quarterback, specifically Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy,” writes Hughes.
“The buzz is there that he’s the player the Giants want. League sources spoke highly of McCarthy when polled by SNY. One high-ranking executive said he’ll be a ‘better pro than college player.’ Another general manager said he has everything teams look for — size, athleticism, arm strength, accuracy, played in a pro-style offense. He added, ‘he’s also very coachable.'”
The Giants have a quarterback room with three players who have NFL experience in Daniel Jones, Drew Lock, and Tommy DeVito but none of them are considered the future at quarterback past this season.
The Giants could be looking for that player in this draft and will have to act quickly if they are to get him with quarterbacks likely to go in the first three selections (Chicago, Washington, and New England).
Arizona and the Los Angeles Chargers could also be tempted by a blockbuster offer from a team looking to move up.
It’s very likely that team could be the Minnesota Vikings, who bettered their lot by acquiring another first-round pick from Houston this week. They are rumored to like McCarthy if they can get in front of the Giants.
That will be tough if Marvin Harrison Jr. is on the board for either the Cardinals or the Chargers. Both teams are starving for wide receivers after purging their rosters of several starters.
As for quarterbacks, all three of the top teams in the draft have moved off their starters from last season. Chicago is seeking to deal Justin Fields. Washington recently dealt Sam Howell to Seattle and the Pats sent Mac Jones to Jacksonville last week.
If McCarthy is to be a Giant, general manager Joe Schoen has to hope that Arizona and L.A. stand pat. That is, if a quarterback is his goal here.