A report from last month pegged the Giants and Jets as teams that could be interested in swinging a deal with the Titans for the No. 1 overall pick. Several few weeks later, the buzz has not died down, as Dianna Russini of The Athletic (subscription required) reiterates the Giants are a team to watch when it comes to a deal for the top overall selection, and ESPN’s Dan Graziano (subscription required) confirms both the Giants and Jets have shown interest in a trade-up with Tennessee.
The Giants, of course, would have an easier time of making such a move, as they presently hold the No. 3 pick whereas their New Jersey-based brothers have the No. 7 pick. Big Blue is reportedly eyeing both a veteran QB and a rookie, and if the team is able to land both, the veteran passer would serve as a bridge to the younger signal-caller.
Recent reporting on the matter suggests Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders could be the Giants’ collegiate QB of choice, although Miami’s Cam Ward is said to be the consensus top option in an oft-maligned quarterback class. If GM Joe Schoen wants to assure himself of the opportunity to land the prospect of his choosing, then he would obviously need to make a deal with the Titans.
In the wake of Schoen’s failed pursuit of a Matthew Stafford trade, his club was linked to soon-to-be former Jets QB Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers, however, is not viewed as the Giants’ preferred option among the veteran contingent of passers, and Graziano is skeptical that the team would actually go that route. Russell Wilson, Justin Fields, and Sam Darnold would appear to be likelier choices in the event those players do not re-up with their current clubs before the start of the new league year.
Kirk Cousins profiles as a fit for both the Giants and Jets if he is released by the Falcons. Atlanta continues to insist it will keep Cousins as the most expensive backup quarterback in league history, but Graziano nonetheless believes the club will release him at some point soon. Still, Graziano’s ESPN colleague, Jeremy Fowler, says not every team official is convinced a release will happen. If the Falcons believe there is a chance a trade market will form, they will be willing to pay out the $10MM roster bonus Cousins is due on March 17 and continue to explore a trade.
Cousins would of course be much more appealing to other teams if he becomes a free agent, at which point he would likely sign for the veteran minimum while Atlanta pays out his $27.5MM salary…