NFL Rumors: Giants’ Willingness to Trade Up for QB Is Draft’s ‘Worst Kept Secret’

Andrew PetersMarch 1, 2024

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The New York Giants seem ready to select a quarterback in this year’s NFL draft, but they might also be looking to trade up to get one, per SNY’s Connor Hughes.

“The worst-kept secret of the NFL Combine might not just be the Giants’ desire to select a quarterback in the upcoming NFL draft, but their willingness to trade up to go get a quarterback in this year’s draft,” Hughes said. “The problem, though, is just is there going to be one for them to go up there and take?”

Connor Hughes @Connor_J_HughesThe #Giants want a quarterback.

The Giants are willing to trade up for a quarterback.

But will there be a quarterback for the Giants to trade up for? pic.twitter.com/lTTcONnUWD

The Giants have the No. 6 pick in this year’s draft, but it seems like quarterbacks will be the first three players off the board, meaning New York would likely have to make a move to be in the mix for Caleb Williams, Drake Maye or Jayden Daniels.

Hughes did note that the Giants could still land a solid quarterback if they are outside of the top three, perhaps settling for Bo Nix or Michael Penix Jr.

Bleacher Report’s 2024 NFL Mock Draft has Williams, Maye and Daniels being drafted in succession by the Chicago Bears, Washington Commanders and New England Patriots, respectively, so the Giants would likely have to make a lofty bid to get in on one of the top quarterbacks.

Still, Nix and Penix could be reliable options if New York doesn’t want to give up too much by trading up.

Penix, the Heisman runner-up, is considered to be the No. 66 player and the fifth quarterback on Bleacher Report’s NFL Draft Big Board. The Washington quarterback had 4,903 passing yards, 36 touchdowns and 11 interceptions last season.

Nix, also a Heisman finalist, is the No. 70 player and the sixth on Bleacher Report’s Big Board. He had 4,508 passing yards and 45 touchdowns with Oregon last year.

Another candidate for the Giants could be Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy, who is the No. 55 player and fourth quarterback on Bleacher Report’s Big Board. On his way to a national championship, McCarthy had 2,991 yards and 22 touchdowns in 2023.

Of course, the Giants could pivot and draft a receiver to aid quarterback Daniel Jones, who is expected to be the starter in 2024, but finding a backup for him is not a bad option given the inconsistency at the position.