Giants May Be In Worst QB Situation Possible, But Could Be Working On A Fix In NFL Draft

The New York Giants contingent that was in Baton Rouge to watch the Jayden Daniels pro day on Wednesday made its way to Seattle to witness the Michael Penix Jr. pro day on Thursday.

So, yes, jet travel is great.

But if one didn't know better, there's a temptation to believe the Giants sending general manager Joe Schoen, head coach Brian Daboll and multiple other members of the coaching and front office staff to these workouts sends a message.

And the message is the Giants are seriously considering selecting a quarterback in the first round of next month's draft.

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 01: Michael Penix #QB08 of the Washington Huskies speaks to the media during the 2024 NFL Draft Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 01, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)

Giant Seem In QB Market

Except there's no need to add 2 plus 2 here because the Giants themselves have spoken of the possibility and even owner John Mara said he would "support" the idea.

And all this means the Giants find themselves in a terrible situation and are looking for a dignified way to extricate themselves.

The terrible situation is that the Giants already have a quarterback in Daniel Jones. They awarded him a $160 million contract one year ago that included $82 million in guaranteed money at signing because they thought him their quarterback of the future.

Except one year later, they don't seem so sure.

They say they're sure. Schoen has said he "has faith" in Jones.

But anyone who watched Jones throw 2 touchdowns and 6 interceptions while playing only six games before tearing the ACL in his right knee last November can only have faith that Jones is inconsistent.

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - NOVEMBER 05: A video screen displays an injury report on quarterback Daniel Jones #8 of the New York Giants during the third quarter of a game between the Giants and the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on November 05, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Raiders defeated the Giants 30-6. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Daniel Jones Has Been Inconsistent

That puts the Giants in what is always the worst possible situation for an NFL team: That situation is when a team pays a quarterback big money, as the Giants have with Jones, and the quarterback responds by playing poorly.

Huge mistake.

It's actually better to have a bad quarterback or no quarterback at all than have a highly paid quarterback that isn't good.

So how to escape these shackles? 

Luckily for the New York brain trust, there's a possible exit from this wreck on the highway and that is drafting a good quarterback. And the Giants, holding the No. 6 overall pick in next month's draft, are in good position to do exactly that if they wish.

That's why the Giants already brought North Carolina's Drake Maye and Michigan's J.J. McCarthy to New Jersey for a so-called top 30 visit. That's the reason they'll follow up with Penix Jr. on a similar 30 visit.

That's the reason they met with all the top quarterbacks at the combine and had time with a few at the Senior Bowl.

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 2: Michael Penix #QB08 of Washington participates in a drill during the NFL Combine at the Lucas Oil Stadium on March 2, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)

Giants Out In Force At QB Pro Days

That's the reason the Giants were out in force for Daniels and Penix Jr. at their pro days.

The Giants on one hand might be smokescreen central, hiding intentions to draft perhaps LSU's Malik Nabers or Washington's Rome Odunze – two receivers that certainly could factor high in the first round.

Or maybe all those whispers and hints we're hearing are really the Giants screaming, "We're picking a quarterback!"

It should be noted that it's unlikely the Giants will get to Daniels. If you believe LSU coach Brian Kelly, he's going to the Washington Commanders with the No. 2 pick.

Kelly: Jayden Daniels To Washington

That would put McCarthy, Maye or Penix Jr. in play for the Giants. Because the Patriots, selecting No. 3 and the Cardinals possibly trading out of No. 4 for a quarterback-needy team, cannot account for all three.

One more thing: The Giants being in play for Maye is a fit for multiple reasons.

Firstly, Maye could benefit from perhaps sitting a year. He could do that behind Jones in 2024 and if Jones plays well, everyone's happy. But if Jones plays as he did in 2023, the Giants can move on after the season and bank nearly $20 million in salary cap savings in 2025, then more in 2026.

Maye would be amenable to sitting his rookie season and playing in 2025. He has said so himself.

"I think it's something that would be an advantage," he said at the NFL scouting combine. 

Another reason Maye fits is that, in some respects, he's a latter-day Josh Allen. 

Drake Maye responds to offers of money to transfer. (Photo by Andy Mead/ISI Photos/Getty Images)

Drake Maye-Josh Allen Comparison

Maye has measured at a tick over 6-foot-4 and weighs 223 pounds. At the 2018 combine, Josh Allen measured at 6-4 7/8ths and weighed 237 pounds.

But aside from the physical similarities, there are play-style ones as well.

Maye comes with inconsistent footwork, some inconsistent accuracy issues, an amazing arm that some liken to military weapons like howitzers or bazookas. and an ability to make splash throws that electrify crowds. 

He comes with the potential to be a boom or bust pick. And all that sounds like Allen when he was coming out of the University of Wyoming.

Then there is this: Giants general manager Joe Schoen was the Buffalo Bills assistant general manager in 2018. Giants assistant director of player personnel Dennis Hickey was the Bills senior college scout in 2018. And Giants head coach Brian Daboll was the Bills offensive coordinator in 2018.

All of them loved Allen before the Bills took the quarterback in the 2018 draft. All of them are in position to make a decision on Maye now for the Giants.

The exercise is familiar territory.