EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) - The previous time the New York Giants had the sixth overall pick in the NFL draft was in 2019 and they surprised many by taking Daniel Jones of Duke to become the heir apparent to two-time Super Bowl MVP quarterback Eli Manning.
Five years after the pick and a little more than a year after giving Jones a $160 million contract extension, the Giants are again wondering about their quarterback situation.
Jones is coming off a major knee injury (ACL), and the reality is the soon-to-be 27-year-old has led New York to one playoff berth (2022) since taking over as the starter early in his rookie season.
General manager Joe Schoen and coach Brian Daboll have a lot to think about coming off a 6-11 season, and co-owner John Mara conceded taking a quarterback high in the draft is a possibility.
This is a quarterback-rich draft in which the first four picks conceivably might be QBs. There are also three outstanding receivers whose production in college has experts extolling their potential.
The options seem simple for the Giants. If they are that concerned about Jones, jump up and grab a quarterback - which will be costly. The other is to wait and take one of the "can't miss" wide receivers.
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If the Giants take a quarterback, they can opt out of Jones' deal after this upcoming season, provided they eat $22.2 million in dead salary cap space. However, they would save $19.4 million on the cap for the 2025 season if they do so.
"I don't know if a mock draft has ever been 100% in terms of one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, 10, so you trust your work of your evaluation, the people in your building, and then make the best decision for yourself," Daboll said Monday.
NEEDS
There has been no home run hitter in the lineup since Odell Beckham Jr. was catching 90 to 100 passes for 1,300-plus yards and 35 TDs combined in 2014-16 span.
Receivers Marvin Harrison Jr. of Ohio State, Malik Nabers of LSU and Rome Odunze of Washington have that potential.
The other five picks can be best available talent with the focus of cornerback, running back, tight end and maybe safety.
DON'T NEED
Schoen used free agency to revamp an offensive line that allowed 85 sacks last season, the second most in NFL history. The only returning players slotted into starting spots are left tackle Andrew Thomas and center John-Michael Schmitz.
Joining them through free agency are tackle Jermaine Eluemunor (Las Vegas), Jon Runyan Jr. (Green Bay) and Aaron Stinnie (Tampa Bay). The Giants also added linemen Austin Schlottmann (Minnesota) and Matt Nelson (Detroit). Evan Neal, the No. 7 overall pick in 2022, may move from tackle to guard this season while Josh Ezeudu and Marcus McKethan are back for a third season.
Acquiring Brian Burns from Carolina in a trade took away any need for another edge rusher opposite Kayvon Thibodeaux.
MISSING PIECES
Star running back Saquon Barkley and safety Xavier McKinney won't be around. Barkley, the 2018 AP Offensive Rookie of the Year, signed a three-year contract with the rival Philadelphia Eagles, while McKinney, who played every defensive down last season and finished second in tackles, was signed by Green Bay.
The Giants signed running back Devin Singletary, who played at Houston, to take over for Barkley and they have recent draft picks Eric Gray and Gary Brightwell as backups. Drafting a running back who can catch passes wouldn't be a surprise. Former Eagle and Patriot safety Jalen Mills was signed as a free agent and may replace McKinney.
PENDING DECISION
Veteran tight end Darren Waller, who was acquired from Las Vegas in March 2023, has been considering retirement. The 31-year-old had 52 catches last season for 552 yards and a touchdown in another injury-filled season. While New York added a couple of tight ends in free agency, this is a good draft for tight ends and Schoen and Daboll might want to add one.
OTHER OPTIONS
While Deonte Banks could take another step in his second season, the Giants could use help at more cornerback after not re-signing Adoree Jackson.
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