Sanders’ ties to the Giants have been pretty clear since before the offseason even started. That was evident in the way he showed up to Colorado’s Alamo Bowl game in Giants-themed cleats – a pretty clear nod to his potential landing spot in New York. (Those cleats certainly didn’t go unnoticed.) While gestures like that may seem like just a bit of fun, they actually add to the story that’s building around Sanders and the Giants.
The Giants’ quarterback situation has gotten a lot more complicated this offseason, after signing veterans Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston. That’s led some analysts to wonder if the team might decide to pass on a quarterback with the third overall pick. Instead, they might address other needs or wait on a signal-caller until later in the draft.
Joe Schoen Keeps Options Open at No. 3
When asked about drafting a quarterback, Giants General Manager Joe Schoen didn’t entirely close the door on the idea. Nor did he sound like he was itching to pull the trigger.
“We can go in any direction,” Schoen said at a press conference on Monday. “We’re in a position to take the best football player available at that time.”—and that player had better be one you can build a winner around.
That comes with some pretty high expectations when you’re picking third overall. “You want that guy to be a franchise quarterback you can win with year in, year out in the NFC East. And if you’re taking a guy that high, the ultimate goal is to win a Super Bowl. So they have to be able to check all those boxes,” Schoen said.
Those comments suggest the Giants are taking their time to consider their options—leaving open the possibility of Sanders or another prospect joining the roster.
Daboll Prefers Private Workouts Over Pro Days
Giants’ head coach, Brian Daboll, won’t be at Colorado’s Pro Day on Friday to watch quarterback prospect Sanders. That’s because Daboll prefers to get to know quarterbacks in private workouts rather than at public pro days. He was explaining that at the NFL owners‘ meetings this week.
Daboll’s approach to offense is all about tailoring the playbook to the player. “The playbook has to be ever-changing,” he said. That means he looks for a quarterback who fits the Giants’ style of play—and whether Sanders is that guy remains to be seen.
Why Sanders Believes in the Giants Connection?
That confidence Sanders has about joining the Giants isn’t just a fan’s fantasy. He probably feels that way because of the team’s quarterback depth chart. Wilson and Winston are both signed to short-term deals. That means the Giants might see Sanders as a long-term solution at quarterback.
Sanders’ ability to both throw and run with the ball—and his leadership skills—make him an attractive prospect for a team looking to rebuild. If the Giants decide not to draft a quarterback at number three, they could take Sanders later—or even trade back into the first round to get him.