Forget, for one second, about projecting who should be the next Giants quarterback.
Think instead about what the next Giants quarterback should be.
Many of the to-be-decided player’s future teammates considered what characteristics they would like to see while clearing out their lockers at the end of a shell shock-inducing 3-14 season.
It is up to retained general manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll to search for, identify and acquire the quarterback who they believe can be the missing piece to a quick turnaround.
“I’m excited about it,” linebacker Bobby Okereke said. “Ever since high school, your quarterback is the leader of your team. Whether you like it or not, quarterback play affects everybody.”
Drew Lock is an unrestricted free agent and Tommy DeVito is an exclusive rights free agent, but Schoen hinted that DeVito will be re-signed.
ERFAs typically sign one-year contracts at the non-guaranteed minimum salary, so the Giants will enter March with security against having no quarterbacks on their roster.
The Giants essentially have three paths for finding their next starter: Adding a proven veteran like Sam Darnold or Kirk Cousins; drafting Shedeur Sanders or Cam Ward atop the draft; or a mix of the two to create a competition between a high-end bridge like Justin Fields and a mid-round draft pick like Jalen Milroe, Quinn Ewers, Carson Beck or Jaxson Dart.
“I don’t care if it’s a rookie or a veteran,” guard Jon Runyan Jr. said. “We just need somebody that is going to help us win games. Offensively, we are built to do that. I think we can run the ball well and, when needed, we can hold up in pass protection. Somebody to complement us and get us going, and get some touchdowns, would be valuable for us.”
Malik Nabers is the No. 1 reason a quarterback might find the Giants (and the NFL’s second lowest-scoring offense) appealing. He wants a quick learner.
“If they ask me about it,” Nabers said, “I’ll do some research and watch the QBs and let them know how I feel about it.”
Right tackle Jermaine Eluemunor has more of the new prototype in mind after watching Jayden Daniels spark the Commanders and becoming a big fan of the Patriots’ Drake Maye’s improvisational style.
“Someone who gives everybody a lift,” Eluemunor said. “In this day and age — with defensive ends getting smaller, faster and stronger — you need to have guys that can help out the offensive line. By that I mean when one of your guys is beat, you need a quarterback that can make a guy miss and manipulate the pocket, run around, throw it downfield. More like the mobile, dual-threat crazy-thrower type.”
Whether or not he knew it, it sounded like Eluemunor was describing Ward’s skill set.
Rookie running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. has his eye on quarterbacks who provide “efficiency and ball security.”
“You want someone who can command a team,” Tracy said. “I believe if you put the right person at quarterback then our offense can go.”
The longest-tenured offensive player — receiver Darius Slayton — knows what’s been missing even in the days of oft-injured Daniel Jones. What should the Giants target?
“Stability,” said Slayton, a pending free agent. “One guy back there in the pocket for the season.”
What about personality?
Receiver Wan’Dale Robinson wants to see “confidence” — easier said than done with a Giants team that leads the NFL in losses since 2017.
“We also need a guy that is able to handle New York,” Eluemunor said. “It’s a tough place to play if you don’t have thick skin. But typically those places are amazing to play in. If you play good here, you’ll hear it. If you get a guy that negativity is not going to affect him and he can go out there and just ball, that will help us for next year.”
Nabers is coming off a record-setting 109-catch, 1,204-yard rookie season, but watched his former LSU teammate Daniels hit it even bigger in Washington. What’s the secret sauce to replicate?
“You have to be in a comfortable system,” Nabers said. “You have to have guys that trust you in the building. You have to lead. You have to have a lot of people pushing you to be great. If we draft somebody that can do the same thing, sky is the limit for a rookie that comes in and tries to change the franchise.”
