The cost to the Giants of one victory in their final seven games could be a franchise quarterback.
The Giants are penciled into the No. 2 pick in the 2024 draft right now, but anything other than a 2-15 record will put the opportunity to select either USC’s Caleb Williams or North Carolina’s Drake Maye in peril.
What happens if the Giants slide to No. 3 or lower?
The Post asked a handful of NFL sources to evaluate the other first- and second-round projections who could be available:
Shedeur Sanders, Colorado
ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr. lists Sanders as his No. 5 overall prospect, though there is a widespread perception that he likely will return to school under his father Deion’s tutelage.
“Shedeur is unflappable,” Kiper said. “Answers questions like a pro. Throws an accurate ball. Arm strength is underrated. He has the ability to move. That competitiveness, he just does it in a Joe Burrow-like way. If he comes out, he is your third quarterback.”
“You know it’s not going to be too big for him,” one NFL offensive coach said. “He is coached by a pro [new play-caller Pat Shurmur]. He was raised by a pro.”
J.J. McCarthy, Michigan
He threw just eight passes as Michigan closed the game with 30 straight runs in his one true test of the season against Penn State.
“There is a lot to his game that doesn’t get to be shown,” ESPN analyst Matt Miller said. “Calm, cool and collected. Nothing rattles him.”
McCarthy could be an option in a mid-first-round trade-down scenario.
“He’s going to win a lot of games in this league,” one scout said.
Michael Penix Jr., Washington
Penix suffered three major injuries (two torn ACLs and a shoulder joint sprain) early in his career at Indiana.
“The key is staying healthy,” Kiper said. “He needed to go to Washington, get in that system with better players around him. Everything is in place for Penix to finish strong, and he’s in that mix to be that No. 3 quarterback.”
Bo Nix, Oregon
Nix’s 57 career starts (and counting) are the most ever for a FBS-level quarterback.
Checks the boxes for “smart, athletic, football lineage,” Miller said. But with concerns about the low-release point of his delivery, a second scout said.
Jayden Daniels, LSU
The dual-threat Daniels is surging as the season progresses, accounting for 76 plays of 20 yards or more — 19 more than any other quarterback, according to The Athletic.
“The way he moves around, his body rhythm, is unique,” the NFL offensive coach said.
Quinn Ewers, Texas
Long considered a potential top pick as soon as he was draft eligible, Ewers reportedly is favoring staying in school, though backup Arch Manning will be chomping at his heels.
“You forget he’s only 20 years old,” Miller said, “but 20 plays a game he looks amazing and three frustrate you.”
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