Which quarterbacks did the Giants like at the NFL combine?

INDIANAPOLIS — The New York Giants spent the week at the NFL's scouting facility, digging deeper into what is generally considered a stacked quarterback class.

That involved meeting and interviewing all the top quarterback prospects, starting with USC's Caleb Williams, LSU's Jayden Daniels and North Carolina's Drake Maye, who are most expected to be the top three picks of the draft. They also met with Washington's Michael Penix, Oregon's Bo Nix and Michigan's JJ McCarthy, seen as a strong second tier.

The Giants own the No. 6 pick, and multiple sources told ESPN the Giants would seriously look at the position if the right opportunity presented itself. Whether it's drafting a quarterback at No. 6, trading up, or perhaps using their two second-round picks to move into the back half of the first round, it's all on the table.

“Where we are at six, we're going to look at everything,” general manager Joe Schoen said at the combine. “We're going to look at everything. We're going to look at all the positions.

“You hope you're not up there [at pick six] Again. You don't want to pick in the top 10, but it's a good draft. It's a solid draft across the board, and we're going to have an opportunity to get a good player, and we're going to evaluate all the positions and take the best player we can.

This is considered a particularly strong quarterback draft. Add in that they have a high first-round pick and plenty of draft capital, and it's all the more intriguing. But can the Giants even enter the race for the top if that is their desire?

The feeling in the rooms in Indianapolis is that the Chicago Bears are going to draft Williams No. 1 overall. The Washington Commanders will next take a quarterback at number 2. The third spot is believed to be where a window could open for the Giants. If the New England Patriots' top two options aren't considered and they aren't crazy about QB3, this could be an opportunity for Schoen and co.

The quarterback that several scouts and executives believe would really pique the Giants' interest in this scenario is Maye.

“He’s a stud,” said a scout who has seen him play several times and knows the Giants well. “I would take him over Daniels. He would fit what [coach Brian Daboll] do. I can see this happening. »

It remains likely that if the Giants land a quarterback in this draft, it will be from the second tier. The combination, pro days and official visits will go a long way in determining whether McCarthy, Penix or Nix are the ideal candidates.

“It's a good quarterback draft. It's not just at the top,” Schoen said.

The reason the quarterback is on the table isn't because the Giants don't believe in Daniel Jones, who signed an extension worth $40 million per year last offseason. They haven't changed their mind after the four games he started behind a weak offensive line last season.

Rather, it's that Jones' injury history is something that can't be ignored. He's suffered three notable injuries in the past three years: two neck injuries and a torn right ACL that he's still rehabbing.

The reality is that the deal they made with Jones last season got the quarterback to the financial level he wanted. The Giants, in return, got the structure they wanted. They are able to reasonably opt out of the deal after the 2024 season.

So it's not inconceivable to see a rookie sit behind Jones to start this year. This is what happened to Eli Manning, who was behind Kurt Warner in 2004, and to Jones behind Manning in 2019.

Jones will almost certainly be the team's starter in Week 1, especially after Schoen said there was talk about him possibly participating in some drills this spring.

“I have confidence in Daniel as the starting quarterback,” Schoen said.

But faith to start in the first week is not the same as faith in the long run, especially if the right opportunity presents itself.