How does Wilson signing hint at Giants’ plans for the draft?

The Giants have a new quarterback.

Adding Russell Wilson on a one-year deal isn’t exactly a significant commitment. But it’s not nothing, either. The 10-time Pro Bowler wouldn’t sign in New York if he was not under the impression he’ll open the season as the starter.

The splash move could tell us something about how the Giants are approaching April’s draft, in which they hold the No. 3 overall pick. A few possibilities:

Trading up is off the table

New York has been among the teams thought to be interested in a move up to the No. 1 spot in the draft to select Miami quarterback Cam Ward. The Titans might yet deal the pick, but they’ve stayed out of the veteran quarterback market in free agency and loaded up on the offensive line, which may have signaled their intentions.

The Titans have become “increasingly impressed” with Ward throughout the pre-draft process, pushing the price of the pick even higher, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Tuesday.

Striking out on Matthew Stafford and Aaron Rodgers, then having the Ward pipe dream taken off the table would be a rough outcome for the Giants. Wilson might have been their last option.

Browns taking Shedeur

Ward, of course, isn’t the only quarterback in the mix for teams at the top of the draft. Shedeur Sanders also has a pretty strong case to come off the board early. But if Ward is locked in with the Titans, the Giants have to assess the chances that Sanders could fall to them at No. 3. Signing Wilson could be a sign that New York believes the Colorado product won’t make it past Cleveland at No. 2.

Sanders appears to have a wide range of outcomes. Indications from the combine suggest that teams see a sizable gap between Ward and the rest of the quarterback class, with some insiders suggesting Sanders could even be in for a bit of a slide in the first round.

Our most recent mock draft had him going to the Browns at No. 2 anyway. The logic: Sanders figures to be a strong fit for Kevin Stefanski’s offense. Myles Garrett’s cryptic expressions of excitement about the team’s plans at quarterback could suggest he knows a big move is in store on draft night. And how else are the Browns going to get a quarterback? It’s worth a shot.

Giants passing on Shedeur

Let’s say the Browns don’t draft Sanders. What if the Giants have also determined they won’t take him at No. 3?

The concerns about Deion Sanders steering certain teams away from his son never seemed to include New York. Shedeur showing up to his bowl game in Giants cleats was a pretty clear sign about where he wanted to be. But again, evaluations of his NFL future seem to be all over the map.

The Giants could be one of the teams that doesn’t see him as a top talent in this draft, even when factoring for position value. If that’s the case, it’s easy to see why they might bring in a pair of veterans, look elsewhere at No. 3, and try to circle back to the second tier of quarterbacks at the top of Day 2. The Giants might be focused on taking Travis Hunter or Abdul Carter, the consensus top two overall talents in the draft.

Wilson changes nothing

Although embattled general manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll chased veteran quarterbacks throughout the offseason, signing Wilson after adding Jameis Winston does not rule out pursuing a quarterback of the future at the top of the draft. Only $14.5 million is tied up in the two veterans.

Wilson isn’t going to make the team competitive; his greatest value would be providing a steady bridge option that allows New York to be patient and avoid rushing a rookie onto the field.

If the Giants like a quarterback enough to draft him in the first round, their free-agent moves at the position are no reason to pass. The franchise’s future has to be the priority, no matter whose jobs are on the line.

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