2025 NFL draft: Mel Kiper projects edge rusher, QB to New York Giants in two-round mock

[ASFN Admin]

The New York Giants are walking a high wire in 2025, trying to find the balance that will get them across the gap to success.

They haven't seen success in a while, and if they fail again this year, then it's incredibly likely that Joe Schoen and Brian Daboll will be looking for new jobs in 2026. That makes this offseason vital, bringing in the right players to get the Giants over this hump through free agency and the draft is what will make or break their season.

While the Giants have added players through free agency and let others go, they currently have their attention on the 2025 NFL draft taking place in a few short weeks in Green Bay, Wisconsin. This close to the draft, there's an abundance of mock drafts to peruse, and Mel Kiper Jr. finally released a two-round mock draft.

Let's dive into the Giants' picks as predicted by Kiper.

3. Abdul Carter, OLB, Penn State

Even after signing Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston, the Giants have been linked to Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders. I'm not ruling it out. Neither Wilson nor Winston is a long-term answer. However, the additions mean the Giants can at least toy with passing on the quarterbacks in Round 1 in favor of one of the class's top two prospects. Travis Hunter is off the board, but Carter would take this New York defense to new heights.

In his first season as a full-time edge rusher (after playing primarily off-ball linebacker in past years), Carter had 12 sacks and 23.5 total tackles for loss. I see elite traits on the tape. And considering the Giants have holes all over their roster, they might opt for the best player on the board. They'd have something with Carter, Brian Burns, Kayvon Thibodeaux and Dexter Lawrence II up front.

Abdul Carter is a solid selection with the third pick. He is a true edge rusher, something the Giants could use. The Giants' defense was at the bottom of the league in 2025, and that absolutely has to change if they want to be successful.

Next up, their quarterback of the future.

34. Jalen Milroe, QB, Alabama

After the Giants passed on Shedeur Sanders in Round 1, they could come back to the quarterbacks on Day 2. There is some love for Milroe in NFL circles right now, and he could fit well in New York. He'd have the chance to learn behind Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston, developing his pre-snap reads and improving his short-to-intermediate accuracy. Milroe throws a great deep ball and can change a game with his legs. He ran for 20 scores in 2024.

This quarterback class doesn't have the same talent as the classes in 2024 or even 2023 did, but there are some solid middle-tier options. According to ESPN Research, it would be only the seventh time in the common draft era (since 1967) that five or more passers went in the first 34 picks.

The Giants truly have no need for a quarterback in 2025. However, they will likely need one in 2026. Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston are near the end of their careers, and both would be excellent mentors for a young quarterback. Jalen Milroe could be that guy if the Giants decide they want to add a fourth passer to the roster.

This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: 2025 NFL draft: Mel Kiper projects LB, QB to Giants in two-round mock

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