NFL Analysis
11/10/24
6 min read
Best Options for Giants to Replace Daniel Jones in NFL Draft, Free Agency
It's time for the New York Giants to move on from Daniel Jones.
In a game against the Carolina Panthers, the team with the worst defensive DVOA in the NFL, the Giants were only able to manage 17 points of offense in a 20-17 overtime loss. The offense managed just 4.7 yards per play with three devastating turnovers, including one on the first play from scrimmage of overtime, gifting the Panthers an easy game-winning field goal.
At 2-8, the Giants hold the rights to the No. 1 overall pick after the Germany game. They have all kinds of options next offseason for what to do at the quarterback position.
Those options almost certainly won't include Jones, who has been one of the worst quarterbacks in the NFL this season.
Disastrous Daniel
Every time it doesn't seem like things could get worse for Jones, it somehow does.
The Giants starting quarterback averaged just 5.1 yards per attempt on Sunday, completing 22-of-37 passes for 190 yards and two interceptions. Carolina has struggled all season on defense, but Jones somehow couldn't get anything going in the passing game, generating -4.4 total EPA, according to RBSDM.
That's another disappointing performance for a quarterback who has been near the bottom of the league in all major categories. According to NFELO, prior to Sunday's games, Jones ranked outside of the top 20 in CPOE, EPA per dropback, success rate, and several other categories.
Jones has provided some spark with his mobility, rushing for 265 yards and a pair of touchdowns through 10 games. However, that rushing ability doesn't make up for all of his other struggles as a passer.
One of Jones' biggest issues that doesn't show up on the box score is that he's making terrible decisions under pressure. According to Pro Football Focus, Jones has completed just 44.3 percent of his passes against pressure this season, posting a 60.3 passer rating with 4.7 YPA, three touchdowns, and two interceptions.
Jones has been pressured 144 times, the second-most in the league behind Geno Smith. The offensive line deserves some blame for that, but Jones also shows an unwillingness to give up on plays or hit the checkdown.
One of Jones' most frustrating performances of the season came just a couple of weeks ago on Monday Night Football against the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was sacked four times in the loss, with two of those sacks taking the Giants out of field goal range.
The final sack of the game came on a brutal third down near the end of the game. With the team down eight, the Giants could have survived settling for a field goal, but Jones couldn't take care of the ball on a game-sealing strip-sack from T.J. Watt.
SACK, FORCED FUMBLE, AND FUMBLE RECOVERY 💪 @_TJWatt
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) October 29, 2024
📲 Stream on NFL+: https://t.co/COxKRnr6Mc pic.twitter.com/wKfKVUB1wM
Jones has had some positive moments during his career. His 2022 season helped lead the Giants to a 9-7 record and a playoff win, but he's been unable to recreate that magic since.
That has put the Giants in a difficult financial position. After that season, they rewarded Jones with a four-year, $160 million contract extension, but the good news is that they have the opportunity to get out of that deal after this season. Although they would take a $22 million dead cap hit to cut Jones after this season, they'd also have net cap savings of nearly $20 million if they went that route.
Given the position that the Giants are in, they could use that financial flexibility to go a couple of different routes at the quarterback position.
Are Any Free Agents Worth It?
If the Giants wanted to save their top draft pick for a different position, they could explore adding a veteran quarterback in free agency.
There aren't many exciting free agent options out there, but the 2025 class is headlined by Sam Darnold, who is experiencing a career renaissance with the Minnesota Vikings. Things have cooled off a bit after an MVP-caliber start, but Darnold is posting a career-high 107.8 passer rating with 8.5 YPA, 17 touchdowns, and just seven interceptions.
Darnold started his career with the New York Jets, so it would be fitting for him to come back to the same market to play for the Giants.
Outside of Darnold, there aren't many established free agents available, but there are some interesting ones with upside. Trey Lance has been waiting for another opportunity to start after being usurped by Brock Purdy in San Francisco a few years ago, while the Pittsburgh Steelers recently benched Justin Fields despite leading the team to multiple wins.
Those options don't inspire confidence, but they would be upgrades over Jones, presumably on much cheaper contracts.
A New Franchise Quarterback
If the Giants get the No. 1 overall pick, they'd have no choice but to usher in a new era for the franchise by drafting a rookie quarterback.
The offense is set up for a rookie quarterback to develop alongside some exciting young weapons. Malik Nabers has been one of the most exciting receivers in the league when healthy this season, while fellow rookie Tyrone Tracy Jr. has been an electric running back despite being a fifth-round pick. When healthy, the offensive line also features a solid unit highlighted by OT Andrew Thomas.
New York would have its choice of multiple top quarterback prospects in this draft. However, none of them bring the star factor that Sheduer Sanders would bring to the Big Apple.
The son of Deion Sanders, Shedeur has made huge strides as a passer in 2024 for the Colorado Buffaloes. He's drastically improved as a post-snap processor and is dominating on throws 20-plus yards downfield. Per PFF, he's posting a 131.9 passer rating on deep shots with nine touchdowns, zero interceptions, and 16.3 yards per pass attempt.
Sanders is also tough as nails, stepping into pressure to take deep shots.
Oh yeah Colorado's offense is EXPLOSIVE! Sheduer to Jimmy Horn Jr pic.twitter.com/9nwXEv1VKI
— Billy M (@BillyM_91) August 30, 2024
If the Giants would prefer a different quarterback prospect, Miami's Cam Ward could be another exciting playmaker in their offense. He has terrific arm talent and the off-script playmaking ability to turn chaos into opportunities as a passer or runner.
Neither would be a bad option, as they've been two of the most efficient and exciting quarterbacks in the country.
Other options include ascending quarterbacks like Alabama's Jalen Milroe and LSU's Garrett Nussmeier, who have both seen their draft stock skyrocket this season. Even Texas QB Quinn Ewers and Georgia's Carson Beck could be considered first-round picks, although their struggles have caused their stocks to fall throughout the 2024 season.
The Giants might not have their pick of quarterbacks if they end up picking later than the No. 1 pick. However, with the way things are going, there's a good chance that they'll be taking the first quarterback off of the board in April.
See Where Draft's Top QBs Rank in Our Latest Big Board
