Russ to the Giants, Diggs to the Pats. These moves Are bigger than these two players. What this means for the draft, remaining free agents, and other teams across the league.

On the evening of March 25th, ESPN’s Adam Schefter broke two major stories. The first stated that Super Bowl Champion quarterback, Russell Wilson, would be joining the New York Giants. It was followed by an announcement declaring veteran WR Stefon Diggs a member of the New England Patriots.

These moves carry significant weight beyond the Giants finally nailing a QB or the Patriots adding a weapon for their young quarterback, Drake Maye. With both teams having top 4 picks in the draft and big name free agents on the market, these signings have many implications on the future of certain NFL teams.

What Russell Wilson To the Giants Means for the draft

Russell Wilson signing with the NY Giants came as a somewhat shock to fans for two reasons. One, last week they signed free agent QB Jameis Winston to a one year deal. And two, they hold the 3rd overall pick in the NFL draft and mock drafts had them taking QB Shedeur Sanders out of Colorado. Signing Wilson also takes them out of the Aaron Rodgers sweepstakes (click here for our breakdown of potential landing spots for Rodgers). Now, with two veteran quarterbacks rostered for the 2024 season, the Giants might be rethinking their plan for the third overall pick.

Were they smoke screened by Cleveland (who sits at No. 2) potentially developing interest at taking a quarterback with their pick? While this may be the case, other teams have shown interest in trading with the Browns for the 2nd overall pick. This would take Sanders off the board and leave the G-Men scrambling for a solution at QB, had they not made a move on Russ. What does this mean for their pick however? This leaves them available to take either EDGE Abdul Carter or CB/WR Travis Hunter (who we said in a previous post were the best two players in this year’s draft). With a monstrous defensive line presence already, the Giants would likely go with the latter option to take Travis Hunter – note, Cleveland may take Carter at 2, which I believe would still result in Hunter going at 3.

The Patriots’ strategic Shift seen through the Diggs Signing

Mock drafts previously had the Patriots taking Travis Hunter at No. 4. But with the Giants no longer interested in a quarterback, the Pats’ game plan has shifted. The timing of the Diggs signing immediately after Wilson goes to NYG is no coincidence. The Patriots saw their window for CB/WR Travis Hunter close and instantaneously locked up Stefon Diggs.

But what does that mean for their No. 4 pick now? They could still take a wideout like Tet McMillan out of ASU, but he is a candidate they’d rather trade back and select. Other trade back prospects for the Patriots include OT Will Campbell or DL Mason Graham. Things get really shaken up if Cleveland decides to take a quarterback at No. 2 (assuming the Titans go with a QB at No. 1 also). The Giants would then take Hunter at No. 3, and that leaves Edge Rusher, Abdul Carter, to fall to the Pats at 4 – a bizarre scenario that would create excitement around this year’s draft.

These teams could inevitably stick to their original plan – Giants take Shedeur Sanders at 3, and the Pats get Travis Hunter at 4. However, the shifts in roster needs through free agency make it fun to explore potential outcomes for this upcoming season. Seeing these two veteran aged players on new teams (again) will be a spectacle for fans in the Meadowlands and Foxboro.

Written by Colby Shannon Wednesday March 26th, 2025 at 10:43 am

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As we continue to approach the draft OnlyFootball will be diving further into NFL teams and their expected outcomes for the draft and the 2025 season.