Shockwaves are running through the New York Giants’ roster. The 2025 NFL drafts are barely two weeks out now, and the Giants are anything but predictable. With the 3rd overall pick, fans expected a QB to headline this selection. Instead, Penn State’s Abdul Carter—a Minotaur of defense—is emerging as the frontrunner. But here’s the kicker: this isn’t just about draft strategy. It’s about what this decision says about veterans Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston—and their uncertain futures in New York. Buckle up, because this year’s draft drama is already delivering.

Once the Russell-Giants deal became official, the first thing Wilson said was that he wanted to be the QB1 and that the Giants also needed a leader like him. “I expect to be a starter and to be able to come here and rock and roll every day,” Wilson said. “I think this team is really looking for somebody to lead them in every way…” However, this is not the full picture yet. While they did go for a veteran QB, Daboll is reshaping the Giants’ future trajectory, and he won’t be the one holding back. Yes, QBs like Shedeur Sanders and Cam Ward have been abuzz in the pre-draft chatter, but Daboll’s focus is on defense as well. And the Giants appear poised to select Abdul Carter, Penn State’s standout edge rusher at No. 3 – a move that could redefine their roster.

With 24 tackles for loss, and 12 sacks just last season, Carter’s stats can not be ignored. His pass-rush win rate of 24.1% ranks him with the elite prospects of recent years. Comparisons are being drawn with NFL stars like Micah Parsons. ESPN’s Adam Schefter revealed that Brian Daboll recently had breakfast with Carter at State College and plans to host him at the Giants’ facilities later this week. The Giants mean business.

This shift comes amidst growing speculation about the Giants’ priorities in the draft. Early reports suggested they were locked in on a quarterback. But recent developments indicate they may be reevaluating their approach entirely. Adding to this evolving narrative, Scoop City’s Dianna Russini has shared some interesting insights into the evolution of Giants’ draft schemes. “There was a time where I felt strongly that the Giants wanted Shedeur [Sanders] as their top pick,” Russini explained. “Then I was getting a sense that that was shifting a little bit… I don’t really think that means they’re not going to draft a QB. I just think now the draft becomes super interesting with what the Giants are going to do if they decide to go best player available”.

This shift aligns perfectly with Brian Daboll’s philosophy of building from scratch. If Carter joins forces with Kayvon Thibodeaux and Dexter Lawrence, the Giants could very well have made the league’s most formidable defensive fronts. The move also reflects Daboll’s confidence in veteran QBs Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston as short-term solutions while keeping options open for future drafts.

Carter’s potential selection signals a shift in the Giants’ draft approach. After missing out on Micah Parsons in 2021, they appear determined not to repeat that mistake. By prioritizing defense over a quarterback at No. 3, Daboll is focusing on long-term roster building rather than short-term fixes. However, Carter’s rise also raises questions about Wilson and Winston’s roles, leaving their future in New York uncertain.

Top Comment by zekeferrara

No not that great of a crop of quaterbacks

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Stormy skies for Russell Wilson & Jameis Winston

Let’s face facts. Russell Wilson & Jameis Winston are a band-aid solution at best. They struggled as QBs last season. Now, Wilson has signed a one-year $10 million deal (with incentives pushing it up to $21 million) and Winston has inked a two-year $8 million deal (with a possible push up to $16 million). These are short-term deals and make us think neither of them is being seen as a part of the New York Giants’ future. 

Winston himself has acknowledged this during his media introduction. “This team is looking for something bigger than just wins – it’s about building an identity.” His comments are an understanding that he might just not be a part of those plans beyond 2025. Meanwhile, Wilson, despite his Super Bowl pedigree, has struggled in recent years. Is he able to lead a franchise again? It’s a tough question to answer.

Dianna Russini weighed in on this dynamic duo during her podcast. “You have Jameis who’s just going to chuck it, and throw the ball around, and probably throw a lot of interceptions,” she said about Winston. “You have Russ who I would argue holds the ball too long, isn’t great in the middle of the field – taking too many sacks,” she added, about Wilson. She also quips, “I wish we could combine these guys and maybe we would get this really good New York Giant quarterback.” Clearly, there is much need for these guys to prove their mettle. Apart from them, Daboll seems willing to wait for next year or later rounds to address their QB needs fully.

There’s an interesting parallel here with the Browns’ recent draft strategy. They initially seemed locked on Shedeur Sanders but shifted focus toward Travis Hunter, a generational talent at wide receiver, despite needing a QB for themselves. For Wilson and Winston, this goes to show how fragile veteran positions can be when teams have to prioritize their other needs. After all, great teams need more than just a great QB.

Brian Daboll’s evolving draft strategy highlights two narratives. An opportunity to secure Abdul Carter and growing unease about Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston’s futures with the team. As April’s drafts loom just around the corner, all eyes will be on the cards Daboll will play. Will he double down on defense with Carter? Will he surprise everyone by going back to QBs? Either way, we know for sure that the Giants are looking at their future prospects very seriously.