Former New York Giants large receiver Victor Cruz believes the group ought to zero in on Travis Hunter with the No. 3 total choose within the 2025 NFL Draft.
Whereas many consider the Giants ought to go together with a quarterback within the draft, Cruz doesn’t consider Cam Ward or Shedeur Sanders is the reply to fixing the franchise’s issues.
“ I feel as a lot as I really like these two quarterbacks, I simply don’t assume these two — if we had been to amass both of them — that they’re going to show this group from a three-win group to a 10-win group in a single day,” says Cruz in a one-on-one interview on behalf of his partnership with End Final. “So I feel we must be ready to construct this roster.”
Cruz’s argument is smart contemplating the Giants have many holes outdoors of simply the quarterback place. Drafting a once-in-a-generation dual-threat prospect comparable to Hunter may kill two birds with one stone by bringing in a participant that has the potential to be a dominant receiver together with being a shutdown cornerback.
Hunter is coming off of a ridiculous season through which he performed mainly each offensive and defensive snap for the Buffaloes whereas posting 96 receptions for 1,258 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns along with 25 tackles and 4 interceptions. He ranked second within the nation in receiving touchdowns and fourth in receptions and receiving yards.
Whereas it stays to be seen simply how a lot of a two-way participant the 2024 Heisman Trophy winner turns into within the NFL, Cruz calls the Colorado Buffaloes alum a “staple” and someone Giants followers can get enthusiastic about.
“ Clearly, a man like Travis Hunter, I actually like,” says Cruz. “I feel he’s a man that it’s laborious to recreation plan for. He’s gonna have a chance to play each side of the ball. I feel he’s a man that may be a staple in your soccer group from a expertise perspective that may are available, followers shall be enthusiastic about having him.
“He’ll be a media darling out of the gate, for my part,” Cruz continues to say. “I feel he’ll begin to change the style for lots of Giants followers.”
Cruz: Giants Extra Than One Quarterback Away
The Giants have two constructing blocks in rookie standout receiver Malik Nabers and Professional Bowl defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence. Nonetheless, past that, New York very a lot has the look of a group that simply went 3-14 with the worst report within the NFL.
When one considers that the 2 groups forward of the Giants, the Tennessee Titans and Cleveland Browns, additionally each want franchise quarterbacks, that will imply New York must transfer up within the draft to pick out both Ward or Sanders. That may seemingly imply promoting off a number of property and draft picks, which may set the franchise again even additional.
“I need us to be good and construct a roster that’s going to be good for years to come back,” says Cruz. “Not that these quarterbacks (Ward and Sanders) gained’t assist us win down the road or be nice quarterbacks, I simply assume we’re in roster constructing mode, proper?”
“I don’t assume we’re in one-quarterback-away mode,” Cruz continues to say. “We’re in roster-building mode. I feel a focus or an excellent piece of the puzzle so as to add to your roster when it comes to expertise is a man that may change the complexion of a recreation on both aspect of the ball. I feel Travis Hunter does that for any group that he will get drafted to. I might love for him to go to a group just like the Giants.”
Cruz: Goal Arch To Be Subsequent Nice Manning In New York
So far as who Cruz believes may very well be the long-term reply at quarterback for the Giants, he proposes that New York make a transfer for Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning in subsequent yr’s draft when he turns into eligible. That may clearly be notable contemplating Arch is the nephew of Eli Manning, the two-time Tremendous Bowl champion and former quarterback of each the Giants and Cruz.
”I imply, he checks all of the bins,” says Cruz. “If you happen to have a look at New York, man with Manning on the again of his jersey in New York, one of many quickest Mannings that we’ve seen on the quarterback place, and in addition spins it properly and throws the ball downfield and makes huge performs in that regard. I simply assume he checks a number of the bins.”
The 19-year-old quarterback has simply two profession begins below his belt however tasks to be the starter for the Longhorns subsequent season with incumbent starter Quinn Ewers seemingly both hitting the NFL Draft or getting into the switch portal.
”That’s the kind of quarterback that that you must win video games within the NFL,” Cruz says of Manning. “If you happen to look across the league, guys that may throw it, guys which can be athletic sufficient to run it when issues go bitter, and don’t flip the ball over. I feel the child has had two begins at Texas, 300 yards passing, over 100 yards speeding, and I do know that’s only a small pattern dimension, but when he can proceed that pattern subsequent yr when he turns into a full time starter, he’s going to have a chance to be with a group just like the Giants.”
Cruz acknowledges that if Manning lives as much as the hype and his household title, he’ll clearly be the highest choose within the draft. That may imply the Giants might need to maneuver up and “guess the home” to get their subsequent franchise quarterback within the 2026 NFL Draft.
“ If we don’t have the identical choose subsequent yr, we’ve got to guess the home,” says Cruz. “We have now to commerce up, we’ve got to go get this child, no matter it takes. I’ve seen crazier issues occur within the draft with guys with the final title Manning.”