5 QBs the Giants could replace Daniel Jones with in New York
By Hunter Haas
The New York Giants set expectations high by earning a playoff berth in Year 1 of the Brian Daboll era. Unfortunately, the 2023 campaign has sent the team and its fanbase spiraling back to reality. Injuries are largely to blame, as starting quarterback Daniel Jones is on the shelf, and his offensive line has been a turnstile in the Big Apple.
Daniel Jones Is Not The Answer In New York — Brian Daboll Should Target A QB At The 2024 NFL Draft
While it wouldn’t be fair to pin the regression solely on Jones, it is fair to say he didn’t contribute to many of the positive plays the Giants have mustered in 2023. Often, when he was healthy, the team found success despite Danny Dimes, not because of him. So, with that in mind, and with a likely top-three pick in tow, who should Daboll and Co. look to as a replacement behind center?
Jones’ contract makes things a bit tricky, but it is essentially a guaranteed deal through 2024, and then the team can cut ties for pennies on the dollar. Simply put, the current QB1 in New York should not stop the Giants from actively searching for a higher-upside option. Lucky for them, there are a handful of passers from the 2024 NFL Draft that make sense in the Daboll system.
Giants Option No. 1: Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina
After opening the 2023 college football season on the heels of Caleb Williams, Drake Maye has taken over the top spot on my Big Board. Why? Well, the North Carolina star checks more boxes, to be blunt. He is the size of a traditional QB1 in the NFL, standing at 6-foot-4 and weighing 229 pounds.
On top of that, Maye has ample arm strength to attack all three levels of the defense, including an impeccable deep ball. Going further, the Tar Heel alum shows the ability to get through his reads quickly and boasts impressive improvisational skills when flushed outside the pocket. With a clean pocket? Maye is surgical and trusts his receivers to get to their spot, throwing with anticipation.
For the Giants, it would require even more resources poured into the offensive line. Getting Maye in the building is step one, but as talented as he is, the roster must add talent to the offensive unit. That includes better blocking and more capable pass catchers. In a vacuum, Maye is the ideal option for Daboll.