The New York Giants are seemingly interested in drafting a quarterback in the first round of this year’s draft, but they will likely need to trade up a couple of spots in order to land their preferred prospect. Trading up will be easier said than done, however, considering the competition from quarterback-needy teams around the league.

It can be difficult to determine which picks might be available for trade. But as Giants general manager Joe Schoen said, the NFL is a “relationship business.” Ultimately, those relationships can come in handy when negotiating trades. And the Giants have a key front-office connection that could help them trade up in this year’s draft.

Trading up with the Cardinals could be an attractive option
The Arizona Cardinals hold the crucial No. 4 overall pick in this year’s draft and have expressed their interest in trading down. While the Minnesota Vikings (who currently hold picks No. 11 and No. 23) seem to be the team gunning for that No. 4 overall pick, the Giants could be the team that steals that pick out from under them.

Moving down from No. 4 to No. 11 would result in a significant drop-off in available talent for the Cardinals. However, moving down just two picks with the Giants would allow them to still be able to land a top wide receiver prospect. This could give the G-Men more leverage and ultimately result in the Cardinals opting to trade with New York instead of Minnesota.

The Giants have a connection to the Arizona Cardinals’ front office
Additionally, the Giants have a key connection to the Cardinals’ front office. Ryan Cowden, the executive advisor to the general manager for the New York Giants has a relationship with Cardinals general manager Monti Ossenfort. Both front-office executives worked for the Tennessee Titans together before landing their respective jobs with the Giants and Cardinals.

Cowden was with the Titans from 2016 to 2022, serving as their director of player personnel from 2016 to 2018, then as their vice president of player personnel from 2019 to 2022, and then as their interim general manager in 2022. Ossenfort was the Titans’ director of player personnel from 2020 to 2022.

The two worked closely together during their time in Tennesse and that relationship could prove to be crucial this offseason as the Giants consider a possible trade-up with the Arizona Cardinals.

While the Giants do seem interested in trading up for a quarterback, they could ultimately attempt to move up even further, to the No. 3 overall pick, and make a trade with the New England Patriots.

However, the Patriots may draft a quarterback of their own, and trading up with the Cardinals would require New York to send far less draft capital away in a trade. Perhaps the G-Men could leverage their connection to the Cardinals’ front office to determine a suitable price tag and proctor a deal ahead of the draft.