Dec 22, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers (1) runs after a catch against the Atlanta Falcons in the fourth quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images The New York Giants defeated the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, ruining their chances of securing the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
As a result of the win, if the NFL Draft were to start on Monday, the Giants would have the No. 4 overall selection.
The Giants play the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 18, and the Birds have already locked up the NFC East title. But it’s much too late for the Giants, who currently have less than a one percent chance at landing the top selection.
Earlier last week, ESPN’s Adam Schefter floated an idea of the Eagles benching all of their impact players so the Giants, who are their division rival, would win the game and be unable to select their quarterback of the future.
That diabolical plan will go to waste, as quarterback-needy teams like the Tennessee Titans and Cleveland Browns have leapfrogged the Giants.
While it remains unclear whether or not this regime will remain intact, Giants GM Joe Schoen was at the Pop-Tarts Bowl in Orlando to scout Cam Ward while Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders flexed Giants-themed cleats.
Having the fourth pick is not the end of the world, as either Ward or Sanders could certainly slip to that slot if the Giants hold onto it, but Sunday’s win against the Colts was a disasterclass in the art of tanking. They no longer control their own fate, which is the name of the game when it comes to the NFL Draft.
There’s a scenario where the Browns lose to the Baltimore Ravens, the Titans could beat the Houston Texans, who will be resting players and the New England Patriots upset the Buffalo Bills, who will also be resting starters, and Cleveland would have the No. 1 overall pick. The path to the top of the draft is much more difficult for the Giants because of this meaningless win over the Colts.
Backup quarterback Drew Lock had a career day, passing for 309 yards and four touchdowns. On the flip side, the Giants defense made life tough on Joe Flacco, who threw two interceptions that proved to be costly for the Colts, who are now out of the playoff picture in the AFC.
“Who cares about the No. 1 pick?” Lock said in celebration.
Well, a lot of people. Giants fans, especially.
We hear the adage all the time that players and coaches do not tank. In this case, that’s for damn sure. And it’s unfortunate for the Giants, who will no longer control their future in a quarterback class that’s already pretty weak.
