The New York Giants find themselves at a fascinating crossroads as the 2026 NFL draft approaches. After a transition year in 2025 that saw veteran presence mixed with the high-upside developmental path of Jaxson Dart, General Manager Joe Schoen and Head Coach Brian Daboll now face the reality of a crowded room. With Dart entering his second professional year, the focus has shifted from "learning behind veterans" to "clearing the path for the franchise." To do that effectively, the front office must navigate several giants quarterback trade options that could reshape their roster depth and draft capital.

The 2025 season provided clarity on the hierarchy. Russell Wilson served his purpose as a bridge, while Jameis Winston provided the stabilizing backup presence Schoen paid for. However, the emergence of Tommy DeVito as a viable trade asset and the contractual status of Winston have turned the Giants' quarterback room into a potential gold mine for mid-to-late round draft picks. As teams across the league evaluate their own rosters following the conclusion of the most recent campaign, New York holds the cards in the backup market.

The Jaxson Dart Ascension and the Surplus Problem

When the Giants traded up to the 25th pick in 2025 to secure Jaxson Dart, the plan was always a one-year redshirt program. Dart spent the last season absorbing the nuances of Brian Daboll’s system while watching Russell Wilson handle the week-to-week rigors of the NFL. Now, the "future" is the "present." For Dart to fully command the locker room, the organizational clutter behind him needs to be addressed.

Carrying four quarterbacks—Dart, Wilson (on an expiring or voiding deal), Winston, and DeVito—is a luxury the Giants can no longer afford in terms of roster spots or salary cap allocation. The objective for the 2026 offseason isn't just about finding a starter; it’s about optimizing the value of the assets that helped bridge the gap. This is where the trade market becomes essential. By moving one or two of these signal-callers, Schoen can recoup the third-round picks he spent to acquire Dart in the first place.

Re-evaluating Tommy DeVito’s Market Value

Tommy DeVito remains one of the more intriguing trade chips in the league. Despite being buried on the depth chart last year, his preseason performances and his 2024 tape showed a quarterback capable of winning games with limited mistakes. For a team looking for a high-floor backup or a bridge starter who won't break the bank, DeVito represents a low-risk, high-reward acquisition.

In 2025, DeVito's accuracy numbers—ranking high in league-wide metrics for pinpoint throws during limited action—caught the eyes of scouts. Because he is relatively young and possesses a contract that is extremely team-friendly, he fits the profile of a player who could be moved for a Day 3 pick. The Giants' leverage comes from the fact that they don't have to move him, but keeping him as a QB3 or QB4 behind Dart and a veteran backup is a waste of a developmental asset. If a team experiences an early injury in camp or is unsatisfied with their rookie development, DeVito becomes the first call on the giants quarterback trade options list.

Jameis Winston: The Veteran Salary Dump or Asset?

Jameis Winston signed a two-year, $8 million deal in early 2025. As we enter the 2026 season, that contract carries a manageable cap hit but remains significant for a team looking to tighten its belt. Winston's value lies in his experience. He has been a starter, a Pro Bowler, and a seasoned backup. For a franchise that just drafted a high-profile rookie in 2026 and needs a mentor who can still step in and throw for 300 yards, Winston is the ideal target.

From the Giants' perspective, trading Winston would clear roughly $5 million in cap space while potentially yielding a conditional fifth or sixth-round pick. The decision hinges on whether Daboll wants a veteran safety net for Dart's first full year as the undisputed QB1. If the coaching staff believes Dart is ready to fly solo with only a cheap veteran or a late-round rookie behind him, Winston becomes the most logical piece to move before the June 1st designation period.

Potential Trade Partners: Who Needs a Quarterback?

Several teams exited the 2025 season with more questions than answers at the most important position on the field. When analyzing giants quarterback trade options, we have to look at teams stuck in "quarterback purgatory."

Las Vegas Raiders

The Raiders have been cycling through options for two seasons. While they may look to the draft for a long-term solution, their depth behind a potential rookie is non-existent. The fracture suffered by their previous depth options in 2025 left them reeling. DeVito or Winston would offer a level of stability that their current room lacks. The Raiders have historically been aggressive in the trade market for veteran backups, making them a primary phone call for Joe Schoen.

New Orleans Saints

The Saints are in a perpetual state of salary cap gymnastics and roster rebuilding. While they’ve experimented with young talent like Spencer Rattler, the lack of consistent veteran play has hindered their offensive rhythm. A reunion with Jameis Winston, or a move for the younger DeVito, could provide the insurance policy they need as they transition away from the post-Derek Carr era. Their familiarity with Winston’s playstyle could make a trade negotiation smoother, provided the draft compensation is right.

Tennessee Titans

The Titans’ quarterback room has been a revolving door. With a young starter like Cam Ward needing mentorship but also facing the pressure of a high draft pedigree, the Titans need someone who can mentor without being a threat to the starter's ego. Winston fits this "clipboard quarterback" profile perfectly. If Tennessee feels their current backups are a liability, they might be willing to part with a 2027 late-round pick to secure a proven veteran like Winston from the Giants.

Cleveland Browns

The Browns’ situation remains volatile. With veteran starters aging and injury concerns always a factor in the AFC North, the need for a reliable QB2 is paramount. If Cleveland wants to ensure they don't waste a championship-caliber roster on poor backup play, acquiring a player like DeVito—who has shown he can handle a heavy pass-rush and navigate a collapsing pocket—would be a savvy move.

The Strategic Importance of 2026 Draft Capital

One of the main drivers behind exploring giants quarterback trade options is the replenishment of draft picks. The trade with Houston in 2025 cost the Giants a significant amount of capital, including a 2026 third-rounder. By trading DeVito or Winston, the Giants can mitigate that loss. In a draft where mid-round picks are essential for building roster depth on rookie contracts, turning a backup quarterback into a fourth or fifth-round selection is a win for the long-term health of the franchise.

Joe Schoen has emphasized the importance of "sustainable building." Keeping expensive veterans on the bench while a young starter develops is not always sustainable. The 2026 offseason is the moment to pivot. The Giants can effectively "sell high" on their depth players while the market is thin on reliable veteran arms.

Navigating the Financial Fallout

Trading a player like Winston isn't just about the picks; it's about the "dead money" versus "cap savings." If the Giants move Winston, they must be comfortable with the dead money hit from his signing bonus. However, because the contract was structured with stability in mind, the 2026 cap hit is modest enough that a trade partner could absorb it without much friction.

On the other hand, Tommy DeVito’s contract is a dream for any acquiring team. He provides starting experience at a fraction of the cost of a standard veteran free agent. This makes him arguably more valuable in a trade than a more seasoned player like Winston, as the team receiving him maintains maximum financial flexibility.

The Role of the 2026 Draft Class

The landscape of the 2026 draft also dictates these trade options. If the incoming class of quarterbacks is viewed as weak by the scouting community, the value of the Giants' "proven" backups increases. Conversely, if the draft is top-heavy with quarterbacks, teams might prefer to use their picks on rookies. Currently, reports suggest that while there are high-end talents at the top, the depth of the 2026 QB class is questionable. This scarcity works in New York’s favor.

Teams that miss out on their preferred targets in the first two rounds will be looking for "Plan B." A Plan B that involves trading for a player who already knows how to navigate an NFL playbook—like DeVito or Winston—is much more appealing than taking a flyer on a seventh-round developmental project who may not even make the 53-man roster.

Why Brian Daboll's System Enhances Trade Value

It is worth noting that playing under Brian Daboll has historically improved a quarterback's perception around the league. Daboll’s ability to tailor an offense to a player’s strengths (as seen with his work in Buffalo and his early years in New York) means that any quarterback who has spent a year in his system is perceived as having a high "football IQ."

When other GMs look at giants quarterback trade options, they aren't just looking at the physical stats; they are looking at players who have been coached by one of the premier offensive minds in the game. This "Daboll Bump" could be the deciding factor that pushes a team to offer a fourth-round pick instead of a sixth.

Decision Time for Joe Schoen

As the league descends on the scouting combine and moves toward the draft, the Giants will likely be active on the phones. The goal is clear: consolidate the quarterback room, support Jaxson Dart’s ascension, and recoup the assets lost in the 2025 aggressive rebuild.

The most likely scenario involves the Giants keeping one veteran (potentially Winston if no high-value offer materializes) and moving DeVito to a team desperate for a young, capable backup. However, if a contender loses a starter during spring workouts or the early summer, the price for Jameis Winston could skyrocket.

The flexibility built into the roster last year has given the Giants multiple paths to success. Whether they prioritize draft picks, cap space, or veteran mentorship, the giants quarterback trade options available this spring provide Joe Schoen with the tools to continue the team's upward trajectory. The transition from the Daniel Jones era is complete; now, it’s about refining the machine built around Jaxson Dart.

In the coming weeks, expect the rumor mill to heat up. The Giants have the inventory that the rest of the league needs, and in the NFL, having a surplus at the most critical position is the best problem a general manager can have. The moves made now will define the support system for their young franchise quarterback and set the tone for the 2026 season and beyond.