Matt Miller mocks Shedeur Sanders to New York Giants, despite presence of Russell Wilson

Let’s see what else he does for Giants in 7-round mock draft

Despite having signed Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston, would the New York Giants select Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders if he is available at No. 3 in the 2025 NFL Draft? In a seven-round mock draft from ESPN’s Matt Miller on Thursday [ESPN insider], that is exactly what the Giants do.

With Cam Ward going No. 1 to the Tennessee Titans and Abdul Carter No. 2 to the Cleveland Browns, a scenario that seems increasingly likely, Miller faced the Sanders-Travis Hunter choice. He chose the quarterback, making it a crowded room for the Giants in 2025.

Here is his explanation:

Even though they signed Russell Wilson on Tuesday and Jameis Winston last week, the Giants don’t have a long-term quarterback, and there’s pressure on general manager Joe Schoen and coach Brian Daboll to find that franchise signal-caller. Sanders is an accurate, tough pocket passer who improved the culture at both Jackson State and Colorado alongside his father and coach, Deion Sanders. Shedeur is poised with great field vision and an ability to throw his guys open from the pocket.

Also, signing Wilson could cause the Giants to win too many games in 2025 to have their pick of QBs in the 2026 draft. That makes it even more important for New York to get a QB with this pick now. Sanders could learn from Wilson and Winston for a year and get tutelage on how to adjust to the NFL.

Valentine’s View: Everybody has an opinion regarding the Giants’ quarterback situation. Daniel Jeremiah certainly does. I made my position — that I think drafting Sanders is unlikely — clear. I have asked around as much as I can and opinions as to whether the Giants would or would not still select Sanders in this spot are split.

I think that ball remains firmly in the air with the Giants undecided. Sanders’ Pro Day, his Top 30 visit with the Giants and his inevitable private workout for the team are yet to come. There are arguments on both sides of this question, obviously.

Here’s a take from Peter Schrager on the Sanders question:

In the end, this will be a decision that will shape the draft and, more importantly, the Giants’ future.

Now, let’s get to the remaining selections Miller made for the Giants.

Round 2 (No. 34) — Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State

Miller writes:

The Giants hit big with Malik Nabers last season but need more playmakers to throw to. Egbuka is a master on slant and underneath routes, showing toughness as defenders are unable to knock him off his routes. He’s a technician with enough speed to run away from defenders with the ball in his hands and might be the best run-blocking receiver in the class. Egbuka’s precision and comfort in traffic would be major assets for Wilson, Winston, Sanders or whoever plays QB in New York next season.

Here is the 33rd Team scouting report on Egbuka:

Ohio State Buckeyes WR Emeka Egbuka is a well-built, smooth slot receiver who offers reliable hands and toughness at the catch point.

Egbuka should be considered an underneath, chain-moving option at the NFL level who can provide value in 11p-heavy offenses. The Shanahan scheme and all of its branches across the league will likely find ample value in Egbuka’s game on targets that attack the middle of the field.

Valentine’s View: I could not disagree more vehemently with this selection. Whether it is offensive or defensive line, this pick has got to come from the trenches.

Offensive linemen on the board include:

Alabama guard Tyler Booker (No. 35, Titans), Oregon tackle Josh Conerly (No. 38, New England Patriots), Ohio State guard Donovan Jackson (No. 45, Indianapolis Colts), Georgia guard Tate Ratledge (No. 50, Seattle Seahawks), Purdue guard Marcus Mbow (No. 58, Houston Texans), Charles Grant of William & Mary (No. 63, Kansas City Chiefs).

Defensive linemen on the board include:

Michigan’s Kenneth Grant (No. 39, Chicago Bears), Ohio State’s Tyliek Williams (No. 42, New York Jets), Walter Nolen of Ole Miss (No. 43, San Francisco 49ers), Alfred Collins of Texas (No. 46, Atlanta Falcons), Nebraska’s Ty Robinson (No. 57, Carolina Panthers).

In my view, many of those players would be a better selection than Egbuka. Or any wide receiver. The Giants already have a chain-moving slot receiver in Wan’Dale Robinson, and while they do need to get more open-field production from Robinson I think drafting over him here and passing on adding to one of the lines is a wasted selection.

Round 3 — Darius Alexander, DT, Toledo

Miller writes:

The Giants switch to defense here, identifying a 5-technique prospect who shined at the Senior Bowl. Alexander has 4.95 speed at 6-foot-4, 305 pounds and had 3.5 sacks this past season.

Here is a scouting report from 33rd Team:

Toledo Rockets defensive tackle Darius Alexander is a rocked-up, twitchy defender who boasts loads of potential in a variety of defensive schemes. Alexander has top-tier length and some flashes of strong gap control at the point of attack — he has the needed strength to live and play in any gap along the front.

As a pass rusher, Alexander has an explosive first step and surreal power at his disposal when he’s well-coiled and can unload into blockers with his power rushes. He leans on his heavy hands to jolt with counters or pull blockers off their base. He has consistency questions and would benefit from refinement of his block leveraging, disengagement skills, and pass rush plan to be a more constant threat to offenses, but his physical ability is that of an impact starter.

Valentine’s View: Fine, but I still would have preferred a pick from the trenches a round earlier. I think that might have enabled the Giants to add top talent to both lines on Day 2.

Round 3 (No. 99) — Barrett Carter, LB Clemson

Miller says:

Carter has been a three-down playmaker for the Tigers the past three seasons, compiling 12.5 sacks, 3 INTs and 30.5 tackles for loss.

Here is a scouting report from 33rd Team:

Clemson Tigers linebacker Barrett Carter is an explosive talent with developmental upside to the NFL level. At times, he’s been used as a hybrid defender, which is a testament to his athletic ability, but he will need to settle into a stack linebacker role at the NFL level to maximize his potential.

Carter has all the tools to be an impactful coverage linebacker. He should be given ample opportunity to develop into a more consistent run processor, but his block-deconstruction skills are a major hurdle that he’ll need to clear if he’s going to assume an every-down starting role for an NFL franchise.

The rest of the draft

Round 4 (No. 105) — Bradyn Swinson, edge, LSU
Round 5 (No. 154) — Jalen Travis, OT, Iowa State
Round 7 (No. 219) — Brashard Smith, RB, SMU
Round 7 (No. 246) — Xavier Truss, G, Georgia

There were players on the board, notably West Virginia guard Wyatt Milum, I might have selected before Swinson. Still, I like the addition of two developmental offensive linemen with late selections.

Your thoughts on Miller’s haul for New York, Giants fans?