Boomer Esiason highlights silver lining in Giants losing number 1 pick in NFL Draft 2025

Boomer Esiason sparked discussion on WFAN Sports Radio on Thursday when he shared a take on the Giants losing their grip on the first overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft.

"I'm actually thankful that they don't have the No. 1 overall pick, to be honest with you," Esiason said. "I don't want either of these quarterbacks in New York."

On Sunday, the Giants' 45-33 victory over the Indianapolis Colts dropped them from the coveted top spot to fourth overall in the draft order. While many fans viewed it as a missed opportunity to select top quarterback prospects, Shedeur Sanders or Cam Ward, Esiason sees a different path forward.

Instead of banking on an unproven rookie QB, he proposed an alternative strategy.

"If I were a team that needed a coach and a quarterback — not named the New York Jets — wouldn't it make sense for somebody to hire Brian Flores and bring Sam Darnold with him?" Esiason said.

The veteran analyst believes this duo could transform the Giants' struggling offense.

"If (the Giants) had the guts to go for Brian Flores as their head coach, Sam Darnold as their quarterback and sign Tee Higgins as a free agent ... it's a different Sam," Esiason said. "It's a different guy."

Giants draft position vs team morale

Syndication: The Record - Source: Imagn

The Giants' unexpected win over the Colts didn't just affect their draft position. It snapped a franchise-record 10-game losing streak and prevented them from becoming the first NFL team to go 0-9 at home in a season.

New York wide receiver Darius Slayton defended the team's competitive spirit.

"It says we're obviously not tanking," Slayton said after the game. "It's like anything, we have a job to do. This isn't basketball, it's not golf, it's not tennis. Football, you get hit. I'm not going to go out there and just let people tee off on me just to tank."

The victory showcased offensive potential, with Drew Lock throwing for 309 yards and four touchdowns. Rookie WR Malik Nabers shined with seven catches for 171 yards and two TDs.

"It was a lot of fun," Lock said after the game. "We were clicking. We knew we had it in us. It was just time to go out and show it and do it."

With one game remaining against the Philadelphia Eagles, the Giants face a crossroads. They could either win and drop further in the draft order or lose and potentially climb back into the top two picks.