Big Blue View
The real in-person phase of scouting draft prospects is just getting started
With two months to go before the 2025 NFL Draft, mock drafters, NFL analysts and New York Giants fans are pretty much dug in on their viewpoints of the quarterbacks in this year’s class.
For Giants GM Joe Schoen, though, the courtship phase of the top quarterback prospects is just beginning.
Sure, Schoen, Brian Daboll and the rest of the Giants’ decision-makers have attended games and watched the film. Though maybe not until their eyes bled, but they have watched it all.
The best analogy might be that what has gone on between teams and quarterback prospects until now is mostly like online dating. Few, if any, personal touch points or interactions.
With the Combine here, that changes. There will be meetings with all the quarterbacks in Indianapolis, Pro Days, private workouts, dinners with a number of the quarterbacks and in-person visits to the Giants’ headquarters in East Rutherford, N.J.
It is time for the action to get hot and heavy on the quarterback dating scene as the Giants try to identify one who could be the right fit to perhaps lead the franchise for the next decade.
“This is a great opportunity for us obviously in Indy. First time to get around some of the prospects and have conversations with them. First time meeting them,” Schoen said.
“So, we’ve got a lot of work to do on the number three pick. We’ve done a lot of work throughout the fall on the college prospects. But this phase of the calendar is getting to know who they are as people. What the fit’s going to be.”
Schoen and Daboll met Shedeur Sanders of Colorado in person at the East-West Shrine Game. Some of the videos from their interactions went viral.
Cam Ward of Miami did not participate in either the East-West Shrine Game or Senior Bowl. This week will be the Giants’ first face-to-face interaction with Ward, considered by many to be the top quarterback in this class.
Jaxson Dart and Jalen Milroe were among those who participated in the Senior Bowl.
Schoen often speaks about the quarterback evaluation process he and Daboll have used since their days together with the Buffalo Bills. Much of that involves going far beyond the film to figure out the person. It is a process Daboll first began using as offensive coordinator of the Miami Dolphins in 2011.
“When we get around these kids, they may or may not be a fit for us,” Schoen said. “There’s a lot that goes into the quarterback position. And this time of year is where we can find that out.
“We’ve seen the film evaluation. We’ve seen how these guys perform under pressure. We’ve seen how they do on third down, how they do on fourth down in money situations. Now we need to figure out who they are as people. And it’s a unique media market. Everybody knows that that’s standing here. So can...
