The New York Giants are no strangers to big decisions, and the 2025 NFL Draft might bring their biggest one yet. In his first mock draft of the year, ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. has the Giants selecting Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders with the third overall pick-a move that could mark the start of a new chapter for the franchise.
The Giants’ quarterback situation has been in flux since the team cut ties with Daniel Jones earlier this season, ending a six-year partnership that never lived up to expectations. With Drew Lock set to hit free agency, New York is left with no clear answer under center. According to Kiper, drafting Sanders could solve that problem immediately. “This is the best-case scenario for the Giants,” Kiper wrote. “They need to clean up one of the worst passing games in the league, and Sanders could step in right away.”
Surprise! Mel Kiper declares who will be selected first between Travis Hunter and Shedeur Sanders
Shedeur Sanders, the son of Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, is one of the most accurate quarterbacks in college football, completing 74% of his passes this season. He’s also proven himself as a leader on the field, making him a natural fit for a team in desperate need of stability. For Kiper, Sanders landing in New York without the Giants having to trade up is a dream scenario.
That said, Sanders isn’t the only elite quarterback prospect in this year’s draft. Miami’s Cam Ward is currently projected as the No. 1 overall pick to the Titans, with Kiper noting that the Giants may need to explore a trade to move up and secure their guy. Still, in Kiper’s current mock, Sanders falls into their lap at No. 3, giving New York a golden opportunity.
Giants’ future hinges on possible Sanders-Nabers duo: A reset for Big Blue?
The Giants, who selected wide receiver Malik Nabers with the sixth pick in 2024, have been searching for offensive firepower for years. Pairing Nabers with Sanders could give the team a dynamic duo to build around. “Sanders is super accurate and could elevate the entire offense,” Kiper explained.
Kiper’s mock also includes Sanders’ Colorado teammate Travis Hunter going No. 2 to the Browns. With Sanders and Ward headlining this draft class, the stakes are high for teams at the top of the board.
For the Giants, the 2025 draft represents more than just a chance to fill a roster hole-it’s about hitting reset and giving fans hope for the future.
