2025 NFL Mock Draft: New York Giants go quarterback

With the 3rd overall pick in the 2025 Bleeding Green Nation community mock draft, New York Giants GM The Player Formerly Known as Mousecop selects ...

Cam Ward, QB, Miami

I considered picking Ashton Jeanty, because picking a top-5 RB worked out so well for the Giants last time.

In actuality, this is an interesting position as the fake Giants GM, because the real Giants GM has a far different motivation. It doesn’t take a genius to know that none of none of the 36-year old Russell Wilson, interception-prone journeyman Jameis Winston, or 2023 Bud Light Celebration of the Year winner Tommy DeVito is the long-term answer. However, the GM and coach are both clearly on the hot seat. Signing Russell Wilson is, in my view, an attempt to eek out something like a 7-10 or 8-9 season and preserve their jobs. In that scenario, taking a quarterback does nothing to aid in that goal. “You want my top pick to just sit a year and learn? Yeah, right.” So, if Travis Hunter and Abdul Carter are gone, maybe they do take Ashton Jeanty or Armand Membou or Mason Graham. Get one more win! Keep their jobs!

As fake GM, none of this matters. What’s good for the future of the franchise? There’s no quick fix for what’s ailing the Giants. Get a quarterback under center and build around him during his rookie contract. This brings us to Cam Ward. His journey from zero star recruit to potential 1-1 pick is quite the rise. He’s not flawless, but there are no flawless QB draft picks. In true Bleeding Green Nation fashion, how about some winners, losers, and IDKs, attribute edition:

Winners:

• While not a runner, he can move both in and out of the pocket.
• Quick throws, with usually good accuracy.
• Can launch the football
• Strong processing, feel for where pass rushers are, and timing
• Healthy

Losers:

• Prone to some Carson Wentz-style gunslinger throws
• Sometimes scrambles backwards, leading to bigger losses on sacks
• Some red zone inconsistency

IDKS:

• Weird throwing motion!

The most obvious comparisons are probably Ben Roethlisberger or Carson Wentz: bigger quarterbacks who can run with big throws and occasional propensity toward hero ball. As for the throwing motion, I can’t think of another NFL quarterback who throws side-arm with such regularity (yes, some QBs do throw side-arm, but not by default). When I watch some of these throws, I’m reminded more of Chase Utley turning a double play than any football throw. I couldn’t tell you if this motion can or should be coached out of him. Will it lead to more batted balls if his release point is lower? Could sticking his arm out lead to increased injury risk (though Ward has been quite healthy to this point in his career)? On the other hand, if it works, it works. Some of the true negatives in Ward’s game could be avoided with some patience or learning...