In a dramatic twist of fate, the battle for the No. 1 overall draft pick has taken an unexpected turn. The Giants, who held the coveted spot heading into Week 17, saw their hopes dashed by a surprising upset led by Drew Lock and the Colts. This turn of events allowed the Titans to seize the pole position as the Week 18 draft positions remained unchanged.

With the Titans poised to select standout quarterback Cam Ward as their franchise cornerstone, the Giants made aggressive moves to reclaim the No. 1 pick. According to The Athletic's Dianna Russini, New York's new GM, Mike Borgonzi, confirmed that the Titans are sticking with their top choice.

Despite the Giants offering at least their 2025 third-round pick as part of their trade proposal — with details yet to emerge — it seems their pursuit of Ward closely mirrors their nearly successful chase for quarterback Drake Maye last year.

The Giants also visibly scrambled to snag New England’s No. 3 overall pick, offering a package that included a first and second-round picks from last year, along with this year’s first-rounder. The Patriots opted for Maye instead, leaving New York in a tight spot, now eyeing quarterbacks who don’t seem to meet their expectations.

With speculation rife about passing on a QB at No. 3 to instead target top talents like Abdul Carter or Travis Hunter, the Giants seem determined to trade back into Round 1 for a quarterback. They've initiated discussions with teams holding late-first-round picks, joining the Browns in their quest.

Both teams have bolstered their rosters by signing veteran quarterbacks, with Joe Flacco and Russell Wilson expected to lead them into Week 1. Yet, neither option appears promising for 2026; both look like stopgaps for 2025. This dynamic makes the impending draft choices of the Browns and Giants critical as they seek out key players.

The latest buzz suggests the Giants may lean toward Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dart, drawing notable interest from head coach Brian Daboll. Meanwhile, Carter's recent connection to the Giants raises eyebrows, especially as they aim to solidify their defensive lineup against a backdrop of recent high-profile trades.

Trade considerations are also heating up with the Steelers' No. 21 overall pick potentially in play. After initial talks indicating Pittsburgh might consider a trade down, the dynamics are changing, particularly as they eye the quarterbacks in this year’s draft.

As the draft date approaches, keep an eye on how the Browns, Giants, and Steelers navigate their strategies — each aiming to secure their future quarterback while contending with the pressure of competing teams.