Giants will start Drew Lock at QB in Week 16 vs. Falcons

The New York Giants are planning to start Drew Lock at quarterback in Sunday’s game against the Atlanta Falcons, head coach Brian Daboll announced Wednesday.

Lock returns to the starting lineup after missing Week 15 with heel and elbow injuries.

Tommy DeVito started Sunday’s loss to the Baltimore Ravens, the team’s ninth straight defeat, but he left the matchup in the second quarter and was ruled out with a concussion. Backup quarterback Tim Boyle finished the game with the injured Lock serving as the team’s emergency backup.

Lock is 0-2 in his two starts. On the season, he has completed 51.1% of his passes for 414 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions. He’s also rushed 10 times for 129 yards and a score.

The Giants are 2-12 this season and are tied with the Las Vegas Raiders for the worst record in the NFL. The Raiders, however, hold a strength of schedule tiebreaker over the Giants and would pick first in the 2025 NFL Draft if the season ended today. Coincidentally, New York’s opponent this week also has made a change at quarterback. The Falcons benched Kirk Cousins and plan to start rookie Michael Penix Jr. The Giants had the opportunity to pick Penix in the 2024 NFL Draft but elected to select wide receiver Malik Nabers at No. 6 instead. The Falcons selected Penix two spots later.

Another change at QB

The Giants’ QB situation since releasing Daniel Jones has been a mess. While injuries are to blame, it’s wild how back and forth things have been at the position. DeVito started the first game, Week 12 against Tampa Bay, after Jones was cut. Lock then replaced the injured DeVito in Weeks 13 and 14 before suffering his own injuries, which paved the way for DeVito’s return. DeVito didn’t make it through the Week 15 matchup against Baltimore and was replaced by Boyle.

And now it’s back to Lock. Who knows what twists and turns the position saga will take as the season draws to a close? — Charlotte Carroll, Giants beat writer

Eyes on the draft

Every Giants game is a big one as it relates to the draft order. Austin Mock’s latest projection gives the Giants a 43% chance of picking first. That’s a bit better than the Raiders (41%), as the Giants face a tougher final three-game slate and aren’t projected to win any of their remaining games. A win in these final three weeks could take them out of the running for the top pick due to their strength of schedule and the number of teams sitting at three wins. — Carroll