The New York Giants have made headlines this offseason with some significant moves to address their quarterback situation. The team signed veteran quarterback Russell Wilson to a one-year deal worth $21.5 million and added Jameis Winston as a backup for $4 million. These moves, however, haven’t fully settled the conversation around the future of the quarterback position in New York, especially as the 2025 NFL Draft approaches. While many expected the Giants to target a new quarterback in this year’s draft, a bold new prediction suggests they might not go in that direction at all.
In a recent 2025 NFL Mock Draft by Pro Football Focus (PFF), Mason Cameron shocked many by projecting the Giants to use the No. 1 overall pick on Colorado’s Travis Hunter, rather than taking a quarterback like Shedeur Sanders. The choice of Hunter over a potential franchise quarterback, such as Sanders, is stirring up significant conversation among Giants fans and NFL analysts alike. According to PFF’s Cameron, the Giants seem to have growing doubts about investing in Sanders, even with their current quarterback situation in flux.
The Giants’ quarterback depth chart currently features Russell Wilson, who will likely only serve as a short-term solution under center, and Jameis Winston, who has a proven, if inconsistent, record in the NFL. Despite the uncertainty around Wilson’s long-term status with the team, the Giants seem focused on strengthening other aspects of their roster for the upcoming season. The decision to pass on a quarterback in favor of Travis Hunter reflects a broader strategy to build a stronger overall team rather than rushing into a quarterback decision.
Travis Hunter is widely regarded as one of the most electrifying and versatile players in college football. He played both cornerback and wide receiver for the Colorado Buffaloes and is expected to be a top pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. His ability to impact the game on both sides of the ball, with his elite athleticism, ball skills, and playmaking ability, makes him a unique and rare prospect. For the Giants, adding Hunter could be a game-changer, providing them with an immediate upgrade at both positions.
The Giants’ defense has been in need of improvements, particularly at cornerback, where they have had struggles in recent seasons. Hunter, who has shown the ability to shut down top receivers on the outside, could be a significant upgrade over last year’s first-round pick, Deonte Banks. Banks struggled in coverage, earning a low 50.3 grade, and Hunter’s addition could help to elevate the secondary, immediately improving the team’s defense.
On offense, Hunter could slot in as a dynamic weapon at wide receiver, where the Giants have long struggled to find consistency. Paired with rookie standout Malik Nabers, Hunter could form a formidable duo that provides quarterback Russell Wilson (or whoever the long-term solution may be) with playmaking options. This dynamic pairing could breathe new life into an offense that was among the more stagnant units in the NFL last season, making Hunter a potential game-changer for the Giants.
Choosing Hunter over a quarterback, especially in the No. 1 slot, might seem like a risky move. However, the Giants could view this as a calculated decision to build a more complete team around their current quarterbacks, rather than forcing a rookie signal-caller into an uncertain situation. If Wilson proves to be a stopgap option, the team could still look to find their long-term quarterback solution in later drafts or free-agent acquisitions. In the meantime, Hunter’s addition could provide a foundation for success that would make future quarterback choices more manageable.
Travis Hunter’s potential impact isn’t just limited to his immediate contributions; his presence could provide a much-needed boost for the Giants’ future. If Hunter lives up to his immense talent and athleticism, he could be the kind of player who elevates the entire roster and transforms the team into a contender. The Giants’ front office may view him as a franchise-altering player, making it worth bypassing a quarterback in favor of adding a dynamic force to both sides of the ball.
Hunter’s ability to influence the game from multiple positions on the field also gives the Giants flexibility in how they use him. While many project him to play wide receiver at the NFL level, his cornerback experience means the Giants could deploy him in various ways depending on their needs. This type of versatility is exactly what a team like the Giants, who are looking to rebuild and strengthen their roster, would value. Hunter could be a cornerstone player for both the defense and the offense.
For Giants fans, the decision to draft Hunter over a quarterback could be a tough pill to swallow, especially with the franchise’s long-standing search for a stable quarterback. However, if Hunter turns into the player his college career suggests he could be, the Giants’ wait for a quarterback might feel more palatable. With a stronger roster, the team could afford to wait for the right quarterback to come along, rather than rushing to take a player who might not be the answer in the long term.
While the decision to pass on a quarterback might be a surprise, it reflects a broader trend in the NFL where teams are becoming more willing to build a complete roster before investing heavily in a quarterback. With the quarterback market changing rapidly and many teams finding success by surrounding their quarterbacks with elite talent, the Giants might be taking a longer-term approach to their roster building.
This decision will certainly have ramifications on how the rest of the draft unfolds. If the Giants do go for Hunter with the No. 1 overall pick, it could create a domino effect in which other teams scramble to grab quarterbacks, potentially causing some of the best prospects at the position to fall further down the draft board. The choices made by the Giants in this draft could shape the landscape of the NFL for years to come, especially if Hunter lives up to his potential.
As the 2025 NFL Draft approaches, all eyes will be on the Giants and their pick. Will they take the bold step of drafting a player like Travis Hunter, who could alter the future of their franchise, or will they ultimately decide to go with a quarterback, fulfilling the long-held belief that finding a franchise signal-caller is the key to success? Either way, the Giants’ decision could set the tone for their future and their place in the league for years to come.
