Former New York Giants extensive receiver Victor Cruz believes the crew must 0 in on Travis Hunter with the No. 3 general select within the 2025 NFL Draft.
Whilst many imagine the Giants must move with a quarterback within the draft, Cruz doesn’t imagine Cam Ward or Shedeur Sanders is the solution to solving the franchise’s issues.
“ I believe up to I really like the ones two quarterbacks, I simply don’t assume the ones two — if we had been to procure both of them — that they’re going to show this crew from a three-win crew to a 10-win crew in a single day,” says Cruz in a one-on-one interview on behalf of his partnership with End Final. “So I believe we wish to be ready to construct this roster.”
Cruz’s argument is smart bearing in mind the Giants have many holes outdoor of simply the quarterback place. Drafting a once-in-a-generation dual-threat prospect reminiscent of Hunter may just kill two birds with one stone via bringing in a participant that has the prospective to be a dominant receiver together with being a shutdown cornerback.
Hunter is coming off of a ludicrous season wherein he performed mainly each offensive and defensive snap for the Buffaloes whilst posting 96 receptions for 1,258 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns along with 25 tackles and 4 interceptions. He ranked 2d within the country in receiving touchdowns and fourth in receptions and receiving yards.
Whilst it is still noticed 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 any individual Giants fanatics can get enthusiastic about.
“ Clearly, a man like Travis Hunter, I in reality like,” says Cruz. “I believe he’s a man that it’s onerous to sport plan for. He’s gonna have a possibility to play each side of the ball. I believe he’s a man that may be a staple in your soccer crew from a skill viewpoint that may are available in, fanatics will likely be enthusiastic about having him.
“He’ll be a media darling out of the gate, individually,” Cruz continues to mention. “I believe he’ll begin to alternate the style for numerous Giants fanatics.”
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. On the other hand, past that, New York very a lot has the glance of a crew that simply went 3-14 with the worst document 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 might imply New York must transfer up within the draft to choose both Ward or Sanders. That might most probably imply promoting off a couple of belongings and draft choices, which might set the franchise again even additional.
“I need us to be excellent and construct a roster that’s going to be excellent for future years,” says Cruz. “No longer that the ones quarterbacks (Ward and Sanders) received’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 mention. “We’re in roster-building mode. I believe a point of interest or a super piece of the puzzle so as to add for your roster relating to skill is a man that may alternate the complexion of a sport on each side of the ball. I believe Travis Hunter does that for any crew that he will get drafted to. I would like for him to visit a crew just like the Giants.”
Cruz: Goal Arch To Be Subsequent Nice Manning In New York
So far as who Cruz believes might be the long-term solution 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 might clearly be notable bearing in mind Arch is the nephew of Eli Manning, the two-time Tremendous Bowl champion and previous quarterback of each the Giants and Cruz.
”I imply, he assessments all of the packing containers,” says Cruz. “If you happen to have a look at New York, man with Manning at the again of his jersey in New York, one of the crucial quickest Mannings that we’ve noticed on the quarterback place, and likewise spins it neatly and throws the ball downfield and makes large performs in that regard. I simply assume he assessments numerous the packing containers.”
The nineteen-year-old quarterback has simply two profession begins below his belt however initiatives to be the starter for the Longhorns subsequent season with incumbent starter Quinn Ewers most probably both hitting the NFL Draft or coming into the switch portal.
”That’s the kind of quarterback that you wish to have to win video games within the NFL,” Cruz says of Manning. “If you happen to glance across the league, guys that may throw it, guys which might be athletic sufficient to run it when issues move bitter, and don’t flip the ball over. I believe 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 measurement, but when he can proceed that pattern subsequent yr when he turns into a complete time starter, he’s going to have a possibility to be with a crew just like the Giants.”
Cruz recognizes that if Manning lives as much as the hype and his circle of relatives title, he’ll clearly be the highest select within the draft. That might imply the Giants may have to transport up and “guess the home” to get their subsequent franchise quarterback within the 2026 NFL Draft.
“ If we don’t have the similar select subsequent yr, we need to guess the home,” says Cruz. “We need to industry up, we need to move get this child, no matter it takes. I’ve noticed crazier issues occur within the draft with guys with the closing title Manning.”