It's just getting more complicated for the Giants to draft Shedeur Sanders or Cam Ward as their new franchise quarterback.
The Giants snapped a 10-game losing streak and spat in the face of the narrative that they were in contention for the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft by defeating the Colts, 45-33, on Sunday at MetLife Stadium.
All the Giants had to do to win the No. 1 pick for the first time since 1965 was lose their final two games — a possibility that a vocal segment of the fan base was clinging to as hope for the future.
Instead, the Giants (3-13) are now scheduled to select either No. 3, No. 4 or No. 5 in the first round, pending future outcomes.
The Giants lose the tiebreaker with the other 3-13 teams because they have the better strength of schedule leading to that record.
That left the Giants in fourth place when the game ended, and they jumped into third place quickly as the Raiders held on to beat the Saints.
The Browns (3-12) will draft before the Giants if they finish with the same record. Their game Sunday against the Dolphins was scheduled to be played at 4 p.m.
So, with the Raiders winning and the Browns losing, the Giants would be in fourth place. With the Raiders winning and the Browns winning, the Giants would be in third place. With wins for both the Raiders and Browns, it won't be the Giants 5.
The Patriots move up to No. 1, which could create an interesting auction if they want to trade back since their quarterback of the future is already in the fold.
The Giants will likely want to be part of this sweepstakes — one year after the Giants were unable to execute a trade with the Patriots to move from sixth to third to draft quarterback Drake Maye.
Would the Giants be willing to trade a future first-round pick to move up for the right to select Sanders or Ward after doing months of scouting homework on quarterbacks?
The Giants' quarterback need is in second place after losing in Sunday's Three-Win Bowl against the Jaguars. Whichever team lost that game would have taken the lead over the Giants, while one team would have joined the miserable four-win group.
