Giants will have to pay ‘QB tax’ to secure top passer in 1st round

Nonetheless, acquiring a top quarterback might incur a “QB tax,” as Jordan Raanan of ESPN recently noted. Schoen himself has mentioned the possibility of paying more to move up if a team knows they can leverage their position.

“I would say that’s probably true if people know what you’re coming up for,” Giants general manager Joe Schoen said.

The Giants Should be Aggressive If the Opportunity Arises

If the New England Patriots are open to trading the 3rd overall pick, the Giants could secure a quarterback like Drake Maye or Daniels, both of whom would be excellent fits under head coach Brian Daboll.

Indeed, Daboll was brought in to develop a quarterback, and Daniel Jones, despite his talents, has struggled with persistent issues that surfaced again in 2024 before his season was cut short by a neck injury and a torn ACL.

The Giants Hold Good Cards

Teams looking to trade down might find the Giants an appealing partner, especially if they can acquire a blue-chip wide receiver prospect such as Marvin Harrison Jr., Malik Nabers, or Rome Odunze.

The Minnesota Vikings, who are also rumored to be in the market for a quarterback, lack the assets to offer a top receiver, but they do possess an extra first-round pick. Schoen has indicated that he has received numerous unexpected calls about trading back in the draft.

A team like Minnesota might attempt to move up to the 6th overall pick as a stepping stone to acquiring the 3rd or 4th overall pick.

Ultimately, Drake Maye’s and J.J. McCarthy’s ranking on draft boards—considering Maye’s tangible qualities and McCarthy’s recent National Championship win and proficiency in a pro-style offense—will influence how aggressively the Giants and other teams pursue quarterbacks in the first five picks.