Reporter adds to speculation about Giants drafting a quarterback

As post-NFL Scouting Combine rumors continue circulating, it's growing apparent that the New York Giants are preparing to select quarterback Daniel Jones' successor this offseason.

In a Q&A piece published on Thursday, SNY's Connor Hughes — who was on-site at last week's combine — reported that Giants GM Joe Schoen is willing to draft a quarterback in the first round. New York holds the sixth overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, though it's possible the team could try to trade up to select UNC's Drake Maye or LSU's Jayden Daniels. 

"It became very clear in Indianapolis that Schoen is ready to draft his guy — either at No. 6 or by trading up," Hughes wrote. "Drake Maye and Jayden Daniels are the two I heard linked to New York the most. Maye, specifically, they’re high on."

Although the Giants just signed Jones to a four-year, $160M deal last offseason, it'd be wise to bring in his eventual replacement through the draft.

Jones showed flashes of promise during the 2022 season when he led the Giants to their first playoff win since Super Bowl XLVI. However, he struggled in 2023, and his injury history became more complicated as he suffered the second neck injury of his career and a season-ending ACL tear. As a regime that might need improved results next season to retain their jobs, the Giants front office cannot afford to double down on Jones as their quarterback of the future.

Maye and Daniels are highly intriguing targets for the Giants to consider as their potential first-round draft choice. The two are considered second- and third-ranked prospects for the position in this year's draft, but in no particular order.

The former Tar Heel Maye is a more traditional passer, throwing 7,929 yards and 62 touchdowns over the last two seasons. Meanwhile, Daniels established himself as an elite dual-threat talent during his 2023 Heisman Trophy-winning season (4,946 yards of total offense and 50 TDs).

However, given the challenges of trading up for Maye or Daniels, Hughes believes Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy would be New York's pick at No. 6 instead of a top wide receiver. In his article, Hughes noted that "there were more than a few rumblings at the combine" that linked McCarthy to the Giants.  

McCarthy, who went 27-1 as a starter at Michigan, is arguably the biggest mystery of the 2024 quarterback class. While the 21-year-old has all the intangibles a team could want out of a signal-caller and a national championship win under his belt, McCarthy lacks the high production level compared to the other top QB prospects. 

Even so, there are several reasons why drafting McCarthy sixth overall could be a better route for the Giants instead of trading up in the first round, although it seems like a reach.

NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah recently reported that the Giants might have to offer the New England Patriots the sixth pick and three second-round picks to move up to No. 3. New York could have alternative trade partners. Still, given the price that Jeremiah suggested, it could be better off holding onto its second-rounders.

The Giants own the Nos. 39 and 47 picks in this year's second round. With as loaded a wide receiver class as we may have ever seen, there might still be a future star wideout available early in the second round whom the Giants could select to improve their underwhelming receiving corps.  

Additionally, the Giants won't cut ties with Jones until next offseason since he's set to carry a $47.1M cap hit in 2024, which would benefit McCarthy's development because he could "redshirt" as a rookie.

Nonetheless, if Giants ownership has complete confidence in HC Brian Daboll, they should have no issue resetting at quarterback this offseason and letting him develop a rookie, whether that be Maye, Daniels or McCarthy.