The Giants landed one LSU superstar in the 2024 NFL Draft but appeared to be in the market for another.
In what appeared to be a preview of next week’s Big Blue special “Hard Knocks,” the third episode ended with general manager Joe Sean and head coach Brian Daboll announcing their intention to trade the top pick on the draft board to select Tigers quarterback Jayden Daniels.
“Daniels, have you guys seen enough to make a trade to get him?” Sean asked, flanked by assistant general manager Brandon Brown and director of player personnel Tim McDonnell.
“Daniels? Oh yeah, I would,” Daboll replied.
Brown nodded in agreement.
The Giants were scheduled to meet with the Heisman Trophy winner at the combine in late February. Daboll tests Daniels’s memory and conceptualization of play.
A preview of the fourth episode of the series also shows Sean and Daboll attending the Tigers’ pro day in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where they watch highly-anticipated performances from Daniels, future Giants sixth overall pick Malik Neighbors and receiver Bryan Thomas.
Big Blue’s interest in the quarterback high in the draft was heavily publicized throughout the offseason and further highlighted by cameras that took viewers behind the scenes.
The franchise chief was documented meeting with “Hard Knocks” Caleb Williams, Daniels and Drake May in Indianapolis.
Then, on the opening night of the 2024 NFL Draft, Sean reportedly tried to move up three picks to acquire the Patriots’ No. 3 pick to select Maye.
On top of that, the Giants’ attempt to move Daniels up from sixth to second was apparently rejected by the Washington Commanders, who selected Daniels.
The Giants ultimately failed to find a suitor or a top-tier quarterback in that early period.
After Williams, Daniels and Maye went undrafted, the team selected Neighbors, even though University of Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy, who has deep ties to the team, was still available.
The Giants acquired a weapon to replace the gunslinger, but Sean repeatedly acknowledged injury concerns for current starter Daniel Jones on “Hard Knocks.”
Jones tore his ACL in Week 9 of the 2023 season and missed the final six games of the season two years prior with a neck injury.
The third installment of this offseason’s “Hard Knocks” also detailed the team’s reaction to learning that running back Saquon Barkley had signed with the Philadelphia Eagles and offered a glimpse into the free agent negotiating process for players like John Runyan Jr., Jermaine Eleumenor and Tyrod Taylor.
Having already shed light on the intricacies of the pre-draft scouting process, the trade path to a superstar like edge rusher Brian Barnes and the financial landscape during free agency, the new edition of “Hard Knocks” has captivated fans during this lull in football history.
The next episode is scheduled to air at 9 pm ET on July 23, the same day the Giants gather at training camp in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
