Insider says Giants 'are more likely' to sign a veteran QB than draft a rookie

The New York Giants are expected to bolster their quarterback room this offseason, but the addition might not come in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft. 

On Monday, ESPN's Matt Miller published his first post-Senior Bowl 2024 NFL mock draft. With the sixth overall pick, the draft analyst has the Giants selecting Washington wideout Rome Odunze, the nation's leading receiver (1,640 yards and 13 touchdowns).

Odunze would be a fine selection for the Giants, especially if the top three quarterbacks (USC's Caleb Williams, UNC's Drake Maye and LSU's Jayden Daniels) are all off the board. While New York's draft strategy is subject to change based on who's available at No. 6 overall, Miller has heard through the rumor mill that the Giants are unlikely to select a quarterback in round one. 

"The Giants miss out on the top three quarterbacks, but the rumors swirling at the Senior Bowl among agents is that the Giants are more likely to add a veteran free agent QB to compete with Daniel Jones than draft one early," Miller wrote. 

Considering Giants GM Joe Schoen has already told reporters that he plans on Jones being the 2024 starter, it's not all that surprising the team might not want to spend a first-round pick on his replacement. 

It's possible that 2024 could be the final season for Jones in New York. However, by drafting a quarterback so early, the Giants would be admitting that they made a mistake in investing in Jones, which they might not be comfortable doing just yet. 

After signing a four-year, $160M extension last offseason, Jones stumbled in an injury-plagued 2023 season, throwing for 909 yards, two touchdowns and six interceptions in six games before tearing his ACL. Although Jones' poor performance and extensive injury history are definitely concerning, he still has one fully guaranteed season left on his current deal. 

The Giants also hold two second-round picks in April's draft -- Nos. 39 and 47 overall -- which they could use to acquire a signal-caller if someone like Washington QB Michael Penix Jr. falls. Even so, Miller believes Penix isn't an ideal fit for Giants HC Brian Daboll's scheme and insists that signing a free-agent quarterback is the more likely scenario, naming Jacoby Brissett as a potential option.

Brissett, a 48-game starter in his career, wouldn't be the worst candidate to bring in to compete with Jones and could provide a spark if the 26-year-old misses more time with injuries. In 2023, Brissett played just seven drives for the Washington Commanders, five of which ended in touchdowns. Overall, Brissett completed 78.3% of his passes for 224 yards and three touchdowns before being shut down for the season with a hamstring injury. 

Other notable journeyman quarterbacks hitting the market this offseason include Joshua Dobbs, Sam Darnold and Pro Bowler Gardner Minshew II. 

If the Giants are set on signing a veteran QB, they can start negotiating on March 11, with free agency officially opening on March 13.