Nearing the finish line of a second straight quarterback research project ahead of a draft, the Giants have covered their bases on Shedeur Sanders. Although they should not expected to draft the second-generation NFL prospect at No. 3 overall, rumors indicating a trade-up move to accumulate him are still circulating.
The Giants spoke with Sanders on the Mix, hosted him on a “30” visit, dined with him before Colorado’s pro day and worked him out in Boulder last week. Darius Slayton‘s sister, Maleika, also serves as Colorado’s director of on-campus recruiting. Describing Joe Schoen‘s thorough examination of Sanders, one GM informed ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter the fourth-year GM “has lived in Boulder.” Still, Sanders’ stock has undeniably fallen since last season, when Giants connections first emerged.
Sanders-Giants hype has “cooled dramatically” since December, in keeping with SNY’s Connor Hughes, who indicates Jaxson Dart buzz is constructing. The Ole Miss product got here up as a player Brian Daboll liked, and Hughes calls Dart a reputation to observe regarding a trade-up move. Dart has been tied to the Saints and Steelers as well, because the three teams join the Browns as clubs keen on the second wave of QBs on this draft — though, perhaps not with a high pick within the round.
A trade-up derby of sorts is shaping up after the Titans’ Cam Ward pick (one almost certain to start the draft). Sanders doesn’t seem out of the query to be a Giants goal after they make a pick at No. 3 overall (presumably Abdul Carter or Travis Hunter), but Schefter adds a belief throughout the league points to some within the Giants’ organization are higher on Sanders than others. A recent report also pegged the Daboll-Schoen relationship becoming increasingly tense — as their seats warm — though Daboll, as might be expected, said (via the Latest York Post’s Paul Schwartz) he and his former Bills coworker are aligned.
After Dave Gettleman pick Daniel Jones‘ prolonged runway to prove a worthy Eli Manning successor didn’t produce a smooth takeoff, Schoen and Daboll could have just another offseason to discover their very own QB. John Mara said in January his patience has almost run out with the state of the team, raising the stakes for this draft. While Schoen has said the signings of Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston give the team flexibility, not leaving this draft with a long-term option will make for a difficult sell.
The prospect of Sanders falling out of the primary round shouldn’t be ruled out, per SI.com’s Albert Breer. As our Ely Allen noted in his prospect evaluation of the two-year Buffaloes starter, rumblings in regards to the QB’s attitude turning teams off emerged in the course of the pre-draft process. The Giants could have been one in every of them, as Breer describes the team as having undergone ups and downs with the passer during its lengthy evaluation.
While Sanders’ attitude could have alienated some in the course of the earlier stages of this process, Breer adds the polarizing prospect is believed to have displayed more modesty recently. Along with his stock now not approaching that of Ward, it might comprehensible if Sanders’ tune has modified as teams determine whether a player whose on-field traits haven’t proved charming could be a long-term centerpiece.
Sanders falling out of the highest 10 appears more likely, as a recent Breer offering indicated an owner might have to turn out to be involved for a team to drag the trigger in Round 1. While not viewing that assessment as gospel, Breer still can envision a Sanders fall. This might put the Steelers to a choice at No. 21, but with a report Mike Tomlin likes the QB surfacing, clubs have a variety to focus on when preparing a trade-up maneuver. Sanders’ landing spot has probably turn out to be probably the most interesting storyline leading as much as the draft.
