Less than three weeks ago, the New York Giants were in control of the NFL Draft board and tentatively held onto the No. 1. They then scored 45 points, their most in over 10 years, and won.

The Giants are now in line to pick third in the draft, and many experts say two quarterbacks are at most worthy of being selected early.

The two teams ahead of the Giants — the Titans and Browns — are likely in the quarterback market.

It was the worst Giants season in a generation. Their .176 winning percentage with their 3-14 record was the fourth lowest in franchise history. And yet owner John Mara made the unpopular decision to retain both head coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen.

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However, firing Daboll would have meant the Giants would have had their fifth head coach in 10 seasons, not including interims. It’s not an ideal process, especially considering that Tom Coughlin staffed the station in 12.

And while Giants fans may not like the decision, Victor Cruz understands.

“I think at some point you’ve got to have some continuity, right? You can’t just keep firing every coach. You’ve got to give some guys a little bit of a run to find out if they’re the guys, ” Cruz told Pakinomist Digital in a recent interview.

Cruz said players, especially the veterans, “love” Daboll, which led to Mara’s decision. But they will have to fight next year if Daboll and Schoen want to survive.

“I’m not saying we have to win 13 games, 12 games, but we have to at least be in a competitive state next year so the fans can get a better taste in their mouths,” Cruz said. He even admitted that the tandem could survive if the giants “suck” again.

“I think it depends on what level of suck we are, right? How much do we suck? Are we 3-14 again or are we 9-8? 8-9? Are we in the middle range for maybe that we’re a few away?” he said.

New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll on the sideline against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on January 5, 2025. (Eric Hartline/Imagn Images)

“Now, if we’re a three-win team next year, blow it up, because it’s obviously not working. But if we’re the middle tier — 9-8, 8-9, in contention — maybe a wild — card space and we’re right there in it, then I have a different taste, then I say, ‘OK, I’ll commit to them’.

The G-Men probably won’t sniff a Super Bowl for a while, so maybe the players will throw some parties for the big game this year. Cruz is, and he’s partnering with Finish Ultimate dishwashing detergent before he heads to New Orleans next month. The brand is giving away a $10,000 prize so fans can host the Super Bowl party of their dreams.

“As I’ve retired and relaxed and posted things at the manger, it just helps get the tough spots out. It helps when I’m cooking, there’s different food here, and we have the tough spots on the dishes,” Cruz said.

“Finish Ultimate is the way to go to get those tough spots out and I wouldn’t use any other brand than Finish Ultimate.”

The Giants’ focus is on the draft, and even if the Titans and Browns let Cam Ward or Shedeur Sanders fall to the Giants, Cruz would say thanks, but no thanks and aim for a familiar name.

“I think we need to get one of those veteran guys in free agency, build our roster for another year, be competitive the next year and then go all in on Arch Manning the year after that,” Cruz said. “Now we’ve assembled a team through the draft and free agency. We have a year with a draft to put guys in contention, to build our roster the right way, build depth at all these positions. … Then we’ll go get a quarterback in free agency and see what happens.”

So who does Cruz want No. 3?

New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll attends a news conference in Munich, Germany on Nov. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Lennart Preiss)

“I like Travis Hunter. You put him with Malik Nabers and give him some plays on defense? Come on. It’s hard not to. That’s the game changer I’m talking about. That’s the guy that you can’t scheme for. Imagine a team has to play scheme for a guy on defense and then say, “Oh, by the way, he’s going to play 30 snaps on offense.” He’s a guy who can do some good things for us.

“He’s a great personality. He’s a great kid. He’s got to have fun out there, and him and Malik Nabers together, seeing their energies and envisioning that together not only on the field, but marketing a ton off the field, they guys are going to crush it in new york city.

“And I just think the two of them together could also help each other, feed off each other and help each other grow at the same time, so they can be together and face all the ups and downs that come. And they could be that glue , that keeps that team together and keeps everyone positive.”