Former MVP has big prediction for Giants' Daniel Jones

Former quarterback, one-time Most Valuable Player and current NFL analyst Boomer Esiason shared somewhat of a surprising take about New York Giants signal-caller Daniel Jones.

"I think he’s gonna be highly motivated," Esiason said about Jones during the Tuesday edition of the WFAN "Boomer and Gio" show, per Ryan Chichester of Audacy. "I think he’s gonna have a chip on his shoulder, just like he did two years ago. He’s heard all the criticism that has come from people like me. He’s got everything to play for." 

Specifically, Esiason was referencing how the Giants declined the fifth-year option attached to Jones' rookie contract in the spring of 2022. Jones responded to that disappointment by guiding the club to a road playoff win that helped him earn a four-year contract last offseason, but he regressed this past fall and was routinely ripped by Esiason for poor performances and for being a "flatliner" during games until the 26-year-old suffered a torn ACL in his right knee on Nov. 5. 

It reportedly could cost Giants general manager Joe Schoen the sixth overall pick of this year's draft along with three second-round selections if he wanted to move up in the draft order to grab an advertised top quarterback prospect. ESPN NFL Draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. thinks Schoen should instead spend pick No. 6 on Washington Huskies wide receiver Rome Odunze, while The Athletic predicted in a mock draft published on Tuesday that New York could take LSU Tigers receiver Malik Nabers.

"I would think the Giants are gonna give Daniel Jones another shot here," Esiason added. "That doesn’t mean they’re not gonna draft a quarterback. I think they have to. They would be stupid not to. I’m not saying in the first round." 

Jordan Raanan of ESPN noted that Schoen told reporters on Tuesday he has "faith" in Jones "as our starting quarterback." Such a belief, real or not, shouldn't prevent Schoen from taking a signal-caller on the second or third day of this year's draft considering the Giants can escape Jones' contract as soon as next offseason.