The New York Giants are at the center of a heated debate as the 2025 NFL Draft quickly approaches. On a recent episode of “Good Morning Football” on NFL Network, former Giants players Justin Pugh and Isaiah Stanback clashed over whether Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders should be the Giants’ choice.
New York owns the third overall pick and rumors of the Giants trading back for a later pick persist. Remember, the franchise inked two quarterbacks in free agency — Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston. They aren’t in a hurry to improve under center.
Should NY Giants Take Shedeur Sanders at No. 3 in the 2025 NFL Draft?
Justin Pugh, a former offensive guard for the Giants who spent years protecting Eli Manning, sparked debate when he argued against selecting Sanders at No. 3. He cited concerns about his fit with the Giants, especially when looking at their revamped quarterbacks room.
According to Pugh, the Giants’ need for a long-term franchise quarterback shouldn’t sway them from taking the best player available, which could have them selecting either Travis Hunter or Abdul Carter that early in the draft.
“The fact pattern presents itself. They went out and signed Jameis. They went out and signed Russ. I think the Giants are going to go with the best player available,” Pugh said on NFL Network. “Now that domino starts to fall at two, now that we think Tennessee is all but confirmed (to take) Cam Ward.
“I think that the Giants are gonna go with either Travis Hunter or Abdul Carter. Those are the three transcendent talents in this draft. I think those are the guys best set up to come to New York.”
If Shedeur Sanders is available to #3 in the 2025 #NFLDraft, should the @Giants take him? 🧐@JustinPugh | @IamSTANBACK pic.twitter.com/UL6ebWikOd
— Good Morning Football (@gmfb) April 7, 2025
Pugh continued: “Do I think Shedeur is the best quarterback for the New York Giants if they were going to take one? Yes. With the limelight, playing in New York City, I was a first-round pick in New York City. It is harder to play in these massive media markets, and Shedeur would shine in a city like New York. But I think they are going to go best player available.”
Meanwhile, Stanback — a Super Bowl champion for the Giants in 2012 — pushed back hard on Pugh’s argument. He stated: “I disagree. And the reason why is you cannot pass on a QB this year if you’re the New York Giants. Think about Brian Daboll. He is coaching for his life right now, literally, for his existence in New York.
“They have given him a lifeline. They have given the GM a lifeline, to say, ‘Hey, we’re going to give you one more chance to figure this thing out.’ And the reason why they’re getting one more chance is because when Brian Daboll came into be the head coach of the New York Giants he was gifted … who was he gifted? He was gifted Daniel Jones. He didn’t choose him. This is the first time that Daboll is going to have an opportunity to choose his QB1.”
Imagine 3rd down.
Burns. Lawrence. Thibs and Carter floating around looking for the fish!
When the @Giants won their last Super Bowl they had the best DL in football. You don’t pass on generational talent. https://t.co/WsCqdlt5tN
— Justin Pugh (@JustinPugh) April 7, 2025
NFL Legends Advise Giants to Draft Colorado QB,
Draft Experts Debate ‘Great Fit’
NFL legends Shannon Sharpe and Chad “Ocho Cinco” Johnson believe the Cleveland Browns and New York Giants would be making a big mistake passing on Shedeur Sanders. Take the best quarterback on the board if he’s there.
In fact, Johnson called leaked reports about the Giants’ lack of interest in Sanders to be “smoke and mirrors” on his “Night Cap” podcast.
Then, taking it a step further, Colin Cowherd called Sanders “the most talented quarterback in the draft.” He vehemently disagreed with the growing assessment that Sanders is overrated as he urged the Giants to draft the most highly accurate passer on the board.
Legendary draft expert Mel Kiper also had the Giants taking Sanders at No. 3 in his mock. New York needs to keep up with their NFC East rivals by finding a quarterback who can compete in the division with Jalen Hurts, Dak Prescott, and Jayden Daniels.
“It’s a great fit. The pressure, the expectation, the big stage, the bright lights, he’s dealt with all of that,” Kiper said. “In a division where you have Hurts and Prescott, and an emerging superstar in Jayden Daniels, you have to close the gap and get where those teams are. And I think Shedeur Sanders would give them that opportunity.”
NFL Draft Expert Cautions Giants About Taking
Shedeur Sanders
ESPN’s Todd McShay has cautioned the Giants against forcing a quarterback pick at No. 3. They need to check the board and make sure a better all-around prospect doesn’t fall to them. He suggested that Sanders might be better suited for a team like the Los Angeles Rams — that’s a place where he could develop behind Matthew Stafford.
“And now I’m starting to hear more and more about Hunter to Cleveland at No. 2,” McShay wrote, via ESPN. “That would mean Abdul Carter vs. Shedeur for the Giants at No. 3. Not a difficult decision (in my opinion).”
McShay’s opinion being that the Giants take Carter there.