The New York Giants currently hold the No. 3 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, but their path to finding a franchise quarterback could extend beyond the draft itself. Instead of selecting a rookie quarterback, the Giants might opt to address other positions in the draft and pursue a veteran quarterback through free agency or trade. One intriguing scenario, as proposed by Bleacher Report’s Maurice Moton, suggests the Giants could trade for a proven four-time Pro Bowl quarterback.
In Moton’s trade pitch, the Giants would send cornerback Cor’Dale Flott and a 2025 fourth-round pick to the Atlanta Falcons in exchange for Kirk Cousins. This potential move stems from Cousins’ disappointing 2024 season with the Falcons, during which he failed to meet expectations after signing a lucrative four-year, $180 million contract. Cousins, now 37 years old, could be available at a lower trade cost due to his age and recent struggles. For the Giants, this deal represents an opportunity to secure a seasoned quarterback who could help stabilize their offense while providing time to develop a younger prospect if necessary.
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The Giants’ decision to pursue a veteran quarterback like Cousins might also hinge on how the draft unfolds. With the top two quarterback prospects, Shedeur Sanders and Cam Ward, likely to be selected before New York’s turn at No. 3, the Giants could choose not to reach for a less heralded quarterback in what many analysts consider a weaker draft class for passers. As Moton explained, “If the Giants watch quarterbacks come off the board before they’re on the clock with the No. 3 pick, general manager Joe Schoen shouldn’t reach for a signal-caller in a class discussed as a weaker group compared to last year’s crop of passers.”
Acquiring Cousins wouldn’t preclude the Giants from drafting a quarterback later, but it would give them a reliable veteran presence under center in 2025. Cousins’ experience and the possibility of improved performance—two years removed from the Achilles injury he suffered in 2023 with the Minnesota Vikings—make him a viable short-term solution. Moreover, the Giants’ front office could negotiate with the Falcons to absorb part of Cousins’ sizable contract, making the financial burden more manageable.
Here is Falcons GM Terry Fontenot saying he’s perfectly comfortable with Kirk Cousins being a $100-million backup QB in ‘25
$100-million… not playing a single down pic.twitter.com/VbXiDZhBsF
— Zach Klein (@ZachKleinWSB) January 9, 2025
If this trade were to materialize, it would mark a strategic pivot for the Giants, allowing them to address other roster needs in the draft while keeping their options open at quarterback. Flott’s departure, though notable given his 17 starts over the past two seasons, could be justified if Cousins delivers stability to the Giants’ offense and positions them for a more competitive season.
