Russell Wilson Joins Giants: Will They Still Draft a Quarterback? | Plus, Stefon Diggs Signs in New England

Russell Wilson signed a one-year contract with the New York Giants for $10.5 million guaranteed with the chance to increase that number to $21 million. This comes just a few days after the team signed Jameis Winston to a two-year deal, though for a much more modest $4 million per year.

Conventional wisdom had the Giants drafting a quarterback third overall, but these moves throw everything into flux, including who New York might be looking to draft, where the Steelers go from here, and what this means in fantasy terms.

Let's try to answer some of these immediate questions, beginning with what the Giants are thinking and what this means for their plans in 2025 and beyond. Most stats are from NFL.com.

Can the Giants win with Wilson?

Given his salary, Wilson is being brought in with the intention of taking over the starting QB job; let's operate for a moment as if we know he's going to start most of the season. He is taking over a team that just went 3-14. Other than quarterback, they haven't made any real upgrades other than cornerback Paulson Adebo and safety Jevon Holland, who will help the defense but won't turn them into a top unit.

Wilson was OK last season. His completion percentage was one percentage point lower than his career rate (63.7%), and he had a slightly above-average yards-per-pass-attempt mark, though his 7.4 was lower than his career average of 7.7. He threw three touchdowns for every interception, a nice ratio.

That's not going to turn around this team, though. Wilson had his fifth-lowest quarterback rating of his career and second-lowest QBR, and he doesn't make an impact with his legs anymore: Wilson averaged just over 10 rushing yards per game last season.

New York averaged the second-fewest yards per pass attempt and were a little below average in run efficiency. Running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. and tight end Theo Johnson showed promise as rookies, but Malik Nabers is the only skill player who looks like a true difference maker in 2025.

This looks like a mediocre (or worse) quarterback walking onto a bad football team, and it doesn't give me a lot of hope for the upcoming season. Comments by owner John Mara make it seem like the team needs to make a marked improvement this season for the coach and general manager to keep their jobs, but I don't know if this is the spark that's going to make that happen.

My prediction is that the Giants will have another underwhelming season in which they finish below .500, and the franchise comes back in 2026 with a new coach, GM, and quarterback.

Where do they go in the draft?

The Giants could still take Cameron Ward or (more likely) Shedeur Sanders third overall. Wilson is only around for one year, and Winston's contract could be easily gotten out of at any time. I'm talking myself back into New York targeting a QB at No. 3.

The perfect thread of the needle would be drafting Sanders, getting a good year out of Wilson as the starter and making the playoffs, then moving the young player into the starting lineup in 2026 as the team takes off. With three quarterbacks active on game days, Winston could stay on the roster for that whole ride.

If they want to go in a different direction, though, this lets the team make the best decision for the franchise in the draft, whether that's taking a better prospect at another position or trading down. (This signing could also just be insurance in case the two QBs go with the first two picks; both Wilson and Winston could easily be traded if the Giants hit big with a guy in the draft.)

The other most likely players they are targeting are Penn State pass rusher Abdul Carter and Colorado WR/CB Travis Hunter, the guys seen as the top two prospects in the draft. If the Titans go with Ward at No. 1 (looking more likely every day), then the Giants could sit back and take whichever of the top guys falls to them. They might even get their choice if Cleveland takes a quarterback second overall.

While I would be more intrigued by that outcome if I were a Giants fan, I can understand the desperation of wanting a quarterback. With the team set for 2025 at passer, though, they can take the best player to build the best team.

Does this lock Aaron Rodgers into the Pittsburgh Steelers?

Rodgers had a lengthy meeting in Pittsburgh late last week, and it wouldn't be a surprise to see him quickly sign with the team after Wilson's deal. Wilson was fine with the Steelers last season, but his return would have probably capped them at the same level of just being OK. Rodgers might have a lower floor, but he definitely has a higher ceiling than Wilson.

I'm not expecting anything big out of the former Packers star. He is old, has a recent major injury, and would be joining his third team in four years. Rodgers is probably their best option at this point, though.

Unless they are going to make a surprise trade (three first-round picks for Brock Purdy???) or a massive move up the board, the Steelers are looking at low-end options or one of the rookies outside the top two. Jaxson Dart from Ole Miss could be available when the Steelers pick at 21; that would come with as much risk as Rodgers.

Don't be surprised if Pittsburgh double dips, signing Rodgers and then drafting a QB, even if it's a developmental guy later on Day 2 or 3. Taking away the option of bringing back Wilson, though, lessens their avenues.

What are the fantasy implications?

This is the most important part for a big portion of the audience. Wilson's value remains unchanged; he's a guy who could be a worthy streamer some weeks but can't be counted on full time.

The memes of Nabers going for 2,500 yards with Winston bombing the ball downfield to him were only kind of funny because it also seemed plausible. Wilson brings down the ceiling of each New York pass catcher compared to Winston. He also raises their floor, as the offense is more likely to be functional on a regular basis, even if they don't have the same explosiveness.

This probably doesn't change much for anyone, no matter which guy is under center. Nabers will be drafted as a top-10 fantasy receiver, and Tracy will be a mid-level running back. We won't know enough until after the draft when teams full take form.

One other move of note

In the time it took to write the story about the Wilson signing, Stefon Diggs agreed to a deal with the New England Patriots for three years and $69 million, though just $26 million of that is guaranteed. We can't fully critique the deal until we know all the details, but this looks like a one-year deal that the Patriots could continue with if they're happy with Diggs as a top receiver or get out of easily after 2025.

Diggs is returning from a torn ACL, so we'll have to see when he returns and how close he is to full speed when that time comes. He's reportedly healing well and on track for maybe even Week 1, but Diggs is also 31 years old and already on his downswing. This is a case of paying a premium to see if Diggs can be the guy he used to be. With the Patriots flush with salary cap space, they could afford to take the chance.

A desolate receiver group (who might still get help in the draft) looks a lot better on paper, at least, with Diggs in the room. I project modest things, but his availability will be the most important thing before we can truly value him as a fantasy player.

New England is unlikely to compete unless Diggs turns into prime New England Randy Moss. Diggs is a guy who can be a veteran in the room and help second-year player Drake Maye, who looks like the answer at quarterback. This move isn't likely to have an impact on the division race, though.