It is the current state of the Giants that they could be on the verge of adding one of the most dynamic defensive players to come out of the NFL draft in quite some time, and yet if they do, the chorus will serenade the move, then quickly change to a different tune. One that goes like this:

But what about the quarterback? 

It is useless to fight it. When a team does not have a quarterback of the future on its roster, finding one is almost always a priority, and speculation about who that young quarterback will be is rampant — and unrelenting.

The Giants have eight picks in the next three days, starting off with Thursday night in the first round, where they own the No. 3 pick.

If that selection turns out to be edge rusher Abdul Carter from Penn State, the Giants add to their roster what they anticipate will be a difference-maker on defense. 

No one will for a second question that Carter is worthy of such lofty draft status.

However, if Shedeur Sanders is available and passed over by the Giants — that is the likely scenario — there will be more than a few raised eyebrows, as Sanders is considered the No. 2 quarterback in this draft class (Cam Ward is expected to go No. 1 to the Titans), and the Giants invested incredible resources and manpower to scout him for the past eight months. 

General manager Joe Schoen vowed he will not select a quarterback merely to check a box. He knows, though, the fans are restless and that he has not taken a quarterback in any of his first three drafts with the Giants.

He also knows he signed two veterans at the position — Russell Wilson, 36, and Jameis Winston, 31 — and that there certainly is a chance neither is on the team in 2026. 

Yes, Schoen wants and intends to pick up a rookie quarterback in this draft. He will do it only if he identifies one that he believes makes sense, and that move could come on Day 1 of the draft if he deems one of them (Jaxson Dart or maybe Sanders if he drops out of the top 10?) warrants a trade up into the first round.

The Giants have the No. 34 pick — the second selection in the second round — and that is a valuable piece of draft real estate. They could show patience and get their quarterback there. 

“There’s some depth to it,” Schoen said of this year’s quarterback class. “I mean, there’s good players for various reasons, different ages, different playtime experience. There’s quarterbacks in this draft that will go on and play and be starters in the league.” 

Might these players be considered franchise quarterbacks of the future? 

“Yeah, I would say so,” Schoen said. 

The Browns at No. 2 seem locked in on cornerback/wide receiver Travis Hunter, and that would set the Giants up to get Carter. He had 12 sacks and 23.5 tackles for loss this past season, and he is considered the next great pass rusher to enter the NFL.

The Giants already have Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux as their starting edge rushers, so this is not a glaring need. They were 3-14 in 2024, though, and bringing in an impact player at a premium position always is a sound strategy.

Thibodeaux, taken No. 5 overall in 2022, is entering the final year on his contract, although the Giants are likely to pick up his fifth-year option. 

“So if there is a blue chip or generational-type talent or something you just can’t pass on, even if you maybe already have starters at that position, you don’t pass on that type of player,” Schoen said. “If you go need-based, that’s when … you can make mistakes at times. I like to go in so you’re not backed into a corner where you have to take a certain position and you can take the best player available.” 

This is not considered a strong quarterback class. The Giants have scoured the country, trying to uncover every morsel of information on these prospects.

Sanders is an accurate pocket passer and only an average athlete, with a confident streak a mile wide.

Dart set records at Ole Miss but did not play in a pro-style offense. Tyler Shough is nearly 26 years old, but has a rocket arm and great maturity. Jalen Milroe is a supreme athlete and runner, but a wildly inconsistent passer. There is Kyle McCord, and there is Will Howard.

The Giants do not need anyone to come in and start immediately. 

The other needs? The second day (rounds two and three) seems like the right spot for a defensive tackle to pair with Dexter Lawrence. A young guard would be welcome in the depth chart bloodstream. They could use more talent at inside linebacker, wide receiver, safety and tight end.

Every position counts — but quarterback most of all.