GIANTS NEWS: Giants and Saints Compete for Upcoming NFL Draft

As the 2025 NFL Draft approaches, the New York Giants are reportedly making a concerted effort to move up into the latter stages of Round 1 in order to select Jaxson Dart, the highly touted quarterback from Ole Miss.

Originally seen as a likely second-round pick, Dart’s strong performance has sparked significant interest from teams looking to secure a promising quarterback.

However, the Giants are not the only team with their eyes on Dart. According to Todd McShay of The Ringer, the New Orleans Saints are also aggressively pursuing a move to get Dart, leading to a competitive situation between the two teams.

McShay’s sources reveal that the Giants are “acutely aware” of the Saints’ interest in Dart and are engaged in what he describes as a “game of chicken” with New Orleans.

Both teams are trying to outmaneuver each other in terms of making the best trade offer to any team willing to move down in the draft.

McShay points out that the Saints are keenly interested in Dart and could use a combination of their 40th and 71st overall picks to move up into the mid-20s, which would put them in position to grab Dart.

The Giants, however, have an edge in terms of trade assets. With three picks in the top 100—34th, 65th, and 99th—New York is theoretically better positioned than the Saints, who hold picks 40, 71, and 93. This gives the Giants an opportunity to secure a trade deal that would allow them to move up and select Dart. However, McShay notes that Saints GM Mickey Loomis is known for being a “renegade,” someone willing to make bold moves to get the player he wants. If the Saints are as committed to Dart as McShay’s sources suggest, Loomis could use any combination of draft picks to trade up and take Dart ahead of the Giants.

Both teams are believed to be avoiding taking Dart with their current top-10 picks. The Giants, in particular, are likely to focus on other high-value prospects like Penn State pass rusher Abdul Carter, who could bolster their defense. Similarly, McShay suggests that the Saints might target a top edge defender to help solidify their defensive front seven, with the possibility of selecting a player to succeed Cameron Jordan in the near future.

Draft analyst Lance Zierlein, in his final mock draft for NFL.com, goes a step further by predicting that the Saints will make the move ahead of the Giants to select Dart. Zierlein forecasts that New Orleans will trade up to No. 30, making a deal with the Buffalo Bills in which the Saints would leapfrog the Giants and secure Dart. This scenario would see the Giants looking for a quarterback at pick No. 34, with options like Jalen Milroe, Tyler Shough, or even a surprise pick such as Kyle McCord potentially in play.

While both the Giants and Saints are heavily invested in landing Dart, this competition could ultimately come down to which team is willing to offer the best package to move up. Dart’s talent and potential have made him a coveted asset, and with both teams facing pressure to secure a quarterback of the future, the trade market for Dart is expected to heat up in the coming hours as the draft nears. With the Giants holding a slightly better draft position and the Saints known for their aggressive trade tactics, it’s shaping up to be an exciting battle between these two teams for the Ole Miss quarterback.

If the Giants miss out on Dart, they may pivot to other quarterbacks who could be available later in the draft, such as Milroe or Shough. Alternatively, the team may focus on improving other areas of need, including their defense, depending on how the first round unfolds. Regardless of how it shakes out, the Giants are clearly keen on addressing their quarterback situation, and Dart remains a top target as the draft countdown continues.

As for Dart, the connection to the Manning family, particularly Eli Manning and Archie Manning, adds an extra layer of intrigue to his potential future in New York. Eli Manning has long been a supporter of Dart’s potential, having followed his career closely at Ole Miss. Dart himself has expressed a desire to play for a team like the Giants, citing the opportunity for a “smooth transition” into their system should they select him. The Giants’ pursuit of Dart reflects their belief that he could be the future leader of their offense, and they will likely do whatever it takes to secure him if possible.

Ultimately, the battle between the Giants and Saints to trade up for Dart will be one of the more compelling storylines heading into the 2025 NFL Draft, and whichever team lands the Ole Miss quarterback could significantly impact their future at the position.