Giants Draft Strategy Further Reveals True Feelings on QB Daniel Jones

The New York Giants front office has expressed a lot of confidence in quarterback Daniel Jones this offseason. But not everyone is certain Jones will bounce back from injury.

Pro Football Talk's Michael David Smith wrote Wednesday that a preview of a "Hard Knocks" episode showed Giants general manager Joe Schoen asking top members of the organization whether it was worth trading up for LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels.

Head coach Brian Daboll answered, "Daniels? I would."

A trade up to land Daniels didn't happen for the Giants. Daniels went No. 2 to the Washington Commanders while the Giants remained at No. 6 and drafted Daniels' college teammate, LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers.

But Smith argued Daboll's desire to trade up for Daniels will have the same impact as if the Giants had actually made the trade.

"Daboll’s willingness to trade up for a quarterback is another indication that the Giants are preparing to move on from Daniel Jones after the 2024 season, unless Jones is a lot healthier and a lot better than he was last year," Smith wrote . "The Giants couldn’t get Daniels in the 2024 draft, but they know they need an upgrade at quarterback. Perhaps in the 2025 draft."

Jones experienced his best NFL season during Daboll's first year with the Giants in 2022. But last season, Jones led the team to a 1-5 record and then missed the final 11 games because of a torn right ACL.

The 27-year-old is under contract through the 2026 season, but he may have to return to his 2022 level to stay with the organization after this fall.