The New York Giants missed out on Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Jayden Daniels in the 2024 NFL Draft, but they can correct that mistake by targeting Cam Ward in next year’s draft. Despite apparent interest in Daniels, the Giants watched him land with NFC East rivals, the Washington Commanders, who have surged to an 8-5 record under his leadership. Meanwhile, the Giants languish at 2-10, mired in quarterback woes.
Sports analyst Vinnie Iyer of The Sporting News suggests the Giants should use the 2025 draft as a chance to reset their quarterback situation: “Ward can be the next dynamic dual threat in the vein of Jayden Daniels, who is lighting it up for the rival Commanders as a rookie. With Daniel Jones gone, the Giants should be fine addressing a franchise QB early in April.”
Drafting a raw but talented athlete like Ward could give the Giants the offensive spark they’ve been missing for years.
Cam Ward Has Traits the Giants Can’t Ignore
Cam Ward has been a standout for the Miami Hurricanes, showcasing the same escapability and playmaking prowess that made Daniels a star at LSU. His ability to succeed off-script and produce highlight-reel plays has drawn comparisons to elite NFL quarterbacks like Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, and Josh Allen.
Ward’s knack for improvisation was on full display in this ad-libbed touchdown against Virginia Tech, highlighted by ESPN. Plays like these, once rare, are now a staple of the modern quarterback blueprint.
Ward’s dual-threat ability has been prolific this season. According to Sports Reference, he’s thrown for 4,123 yards and 36 touchdowns while adding four rushing scores. The Giants have lacked this level of versatility at quarterback for years, and Ward could finally transform their stagnant offense into a big-play machine.
The Giants Have Rued Missing Jayden Daniels
Daniels was taken by the Commanders with the second overall pick, meaning the Giants would’ve had to trade up to draft him. Yet, despite head coach Brian Daboll’s vocal praise for Daniels, the front office—led by GM Joe Schoen—chose to double down on their commitment to Daniel Jones. That decision proved disastrous, as Jones was released in November after continued poor performances.
Without a viable backup plan, the Giants turned to high-priced reserve Drew Lock and undrafted rookie Tommy DeVito. The result? A three-game losing streak and increasing fan frustration, with some even taking their demands for change to the skies.
If the Giants are aiming to secure a top-three pick to draft a quarterback, Ward might be their best option. However, whether Schoen and Daboll, the duo responsible for passing on Daniels, will still be in charge to make that decision remains to be seen.
