To no surprise, the Giants were one of two teams which exited the opening night of this year’s draft with a quarterback, with the Titans being the other. Just before Cam Ward officially became the top pick, the teams discussed a trade. 
Giants general manager Joe Schoen called counterpart Mike Borgonzi to discuss the first overall pick, as shown in the debut episode of the team’s Giants Life documentary (video link). The conversation proved to be rather brief, with Schoen remaining convinced the Titans turned aside the last-minute trade interest to select Ward. Minutes later, they did just that.
Moving out of the No. 1 slot was seen as a distinct possibility early in the offseason as a result of Tennessee’s myriad roster needs and the less-than-stellar nature of this year’s QB class. Over time, though, Ward distanced himself as the top option for signal-callers and a strong showing during the pre-draft process convinced the Titans to stand pat. That left suitors for the top selections – such as the Giants – to move in a different direction during the draft.
Just like Cleveland (which originally owned the second overall pick), New York (No. 3) showed interest well before the start of the draft in moving up to the top spot. A report from March linked both the Giants and Jets to pursuing a trade for the No. 1 pick, but by the start of April it appeared Schoen and Co. were convinced doing so would not be possible. That proved to be the case, albeit not without a last-minute attempt on the part of the Giants.
Schoen left the door open to a quarterback being selected third overall, although by the time edge rusher Abdul Carter heard his name called that move came as no surprise. After retaining the No. 3 selection, New York ultimately swung a deal to move back into the Day 1 order and select Jaxson Dart 25th overall. The Ole Miss product will spend his rookie season on a depth chart which also includes free agent additions Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston.
Dart gained traction as a first-round prospect in the build-up to the draft, and he found himself the second passer to come off the board. Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll have their potential long-term answer under center in the fold as a result while their respective tenures remain a question after three years at the helm. It will be interesting to see how Dart’s New York tenure unfolds against the backdrop of the team’s continued efforts to acquire Ward prior to selecting him.
The Titans going into draft day with only Will Levis and Brandon Allen on their quarterback depth chart was a pretty clear indication they were not going to trade out of the chance to take the top quarterback in the draft.
I have no problem with NYG taking Carter. The Giants could have Parsons right now, too. Tank for Manning next year. Plain and simple
I wouldn’t count on Manning coming out next year, and I also wouldn’t count on being able to tank all the way to number one. For instance, the Browns will likely be as bad or worse than the Giants AND they’ll have an extra first round pick if they need to trade up.
@Oooof. Yeah manning won’t come out for another two years. They listen to Archibald and he has the same name. They value education and playing time so when it’s time he’s ready. Plus it wouldn’t surprise me if they force a trade if he’s going to a bad situation like eli with the chargers.
Giants have been bad for awhile. You want to tank another season? They won 3 games last year and still didn’t have the #1 pick – still couldn’t get their first choice. Loser mentality.
Why on earth did the owners allow for them to trade multiple draft picks to not get their #1? The GM & HC will be gone by the end of next year if not mid season. Of course, the next two will want ‘their own players’. Pee poor ownership/management yet again by the Giants.
Carter and Dart are ok by me. They didn’t really give up that much to get Dart, who they obviously felt is their #2 QB on their board.
This actually makes sense, as the Giants head coach and GM can surely see the ice melting beneath them and are likely getting desperate.
Manning ain’t going nowhere he only played 4 or 5 games in college. All you guys think he the best since slice.bread. You all think manning some are so great Eli got lucky to win 2 Super Bowls with 2 lucky throws he is not leaving college for 2 more years he is not seasoned enough. And you jerks thinks he going to be great because he is a manning. Manning manning. He wasn’t that great this year when he played those few games in Texas this year
Eli is a 2-time Super Bowl MVP and Peyton is a HOFer. So you’re off the mark on your criticism. I agree with one thing you said- Arch probably won’t be coming out next draft and needs more seasoning.
The Giants drafted Daniel Jones because his head coach in college was Eli’s offensive coordinator in college.
The Giants drafted Jaxson Dart because he went to the same school as Eli.
Such is the Giants’ infatuation with the Manning family that it’s gotten to the point of inbreeding.
The Giants drafted Jaxson Dart because he was the pick of Daboll and Shoen and that’s it. The Giants weren’t the only team that had him rated as a better QB than the others left on the board at the time of their selection. The fact that you constantly come into these posts to berate the Giants and the Manning’s at every turn is beyond strange.
The Giants’ infatuation with the Manning family carries more than a whiff of cronyism. It’s as if the Gambino family became embedded within an NFL club. The public doesn’t realize it until the key men are outed if not whacked.
I’m glad things turned out the way they did for the Giants but Titans were dumb not to take the trade IMO
2025 #3, #34 and the Giants 2026 #1 with their 2025 NFL schedule plus for Ward. For a Titans team that needs a lot more than QB and a chance at a better QB class in 2026!