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The 2025 NFL Draft has come and gone, and given New York Giants fans plenty to be excited about. Drafting Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter was a slam dunk, albeit a selection that seemed hard to mess up. Trading back into the first round for Mississippi quarterback Jaxson Dart ushered in a new era of Giants football and the inherent optimism that comes with it.
New York’s roster-building work this offseason, for all intents and purposes, is complete. That offers us the opportunity to grade the Giants' draft, headlined by the Dart deal, and examine the process behind the selections.
Round 1 | Pick 3 | Penn State Edge Rusher Abdul Carter | A+
New York’s season was defined by incompetence under center, and an overwhelming lack of blue-chip talent made so many games feel hopeless. In taking Carter, the Giants have found the path to their third true superstar, potentially joining receiver Malik Nabers and defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence.
Carter was one of the top two prospects in the class, plays a high-value position, and has both athleticism and production to his name. He’s as safe as he is enticing and the best option available to New York at No. 3.
Round 1 | Pick 25 | Mississippi Quarterback Jaxson Dart | B-
It’s hard to divorce the process behind the Dart selection from his talent, or at least one’s perception of it. Yours truly believes Dart is a Day 3 talent and, thus, a massive reach in Round 1. However, the consensus on Dart was that he was a Day 2 talent, softening the blow and making head coach Brian Daboll’s preference for the SEC product more understandable.
The good news is that the Giants didn’t give up much (Nos. 34, 99, and a 2026 third) when they traded up. Moving up for a quarterback rather than another position earns them points, too. If New York fell in love late in the process, being aggressive is warranted, and ultimately, the front office will welcome Dart into a strong supporting cast.
Even so, rolling the dice on a developmental quarterback that doesn't have elite tools remains treacherous. Daboll’s ability to bring him up to speed could define his tenure.
Round 3 | Pick 65 | Toledo Defensive Tackle Darius Alexander | A-
New York’s biggest short-term need was a starter next to Lawrence. Adding someone who can take advantage of Lawrence’s gravity and/or force teams not to double him has a wide range of benefits for a defensive line that looks to be one of the best in the league.
Adding Carter pushed the Giants into the conversation for elite defensive lines. Alexander might finish the job.
There are questions about his production, age, and level of competition, but this is an athletic plug-and-play starter at a valuable position.
Round 4 | Pick 105 | Arizona State Running Back Cam Skattebo | B+
New York needed a better complement to running back Tyrone Tracy Jr., and it would be hard-pressed to find a stylistic counterpart more fitting than Skattebo.
Skattebo is a low, powerful runner who wins with his contact balance at an exorbitant rate. He won’t create big plays with his speed and open-field agility, but he will run through any defensive back unfortunate enough to stand in his path.
As a short-yardage option and weapon in the red zone, Skattebo is an upgrade over Devin Singletary, the veteran who held the role in 2024. Expect him to become a cult hero rather quickly in East Rutherford.
Round 5 | Pick 154 | Purdue Offensive Lineman Marcus Mbow | A-
There are few better feelings than watching a prospect fall to your favorite team on Day 3 and watching his name come across the ticker. The New York faithful found that on Saturday.
Mbow was largely viewed as a late Day 2/early Day 3 prospect, making his fifth-round selection a win in itself. With strong athleticism and quick hands, Mbow has a legitimate chance to start during his rookie contract, although his 32-inch arms make a future at guard more likely than right tackle.
Round 7 | Pick 219 | Nebraska Tight End Thomas Fidone II | C-
Admittedly, there are worse dice rolls to take than an athletic freak late on Day 3. The path for Fidone to make an impact, though, remains questionable.
At just 243 pounds, Fidone isn’t an impact blocker, and his play strength as a receiver doesn’t stand out. Perhaps he’ll grow into that role as he follows Theo Johnson’s footsteps. With any development on Johnson’s part, it’s hard to see Fidone getting on the field.
Round 7 | Pick 246 | Oklahoma State Cornerback Korie Black | B
Once it became clear that Colorado corner/receiver Travis Hunter wasn’t coming to East Rutherford, attention at the corner spot shifted to Day 3.
Black had a 30 visit with New York and tested well, largely due to his elite speed. The Giants churned through second-string defensive backs in 2024, with little success. Black gives them another dart through with athletic upside and presumed special teams versatility, a totally acceptable use of a late Round 7 pick.
FINAL GRADE: A-
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New York’s roster-building work this offseason, for all intents and purposes, is complete. That offers us the opportunity to grade the Giants' draft, headlined by the Dart deal, and examine the process behind the selections.
Round 1 | Pick 3 | Penn State Edge Rusher Abdul Carter | A+
New York’s season was defined by incompetence under center, and an overwhelming lack of blue-chip talent made so many games feel hopeless. In taking Carter, the Giants have found the path to their third true superstar, potentially joining receiver Malik Nabers and defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence.
Carter was one of the top two prospects in the class, plays a high-value position, and has both athleticism and production to his name. He’s as safe as he is enticing and the best option available to New York at No. 3.
Round 1 | Pick 25 | Mississippi Quarterback Jaxson Dart | B-
It’s hard to divorce the process behind the Dart selection from his talent, or at least one’s perception of it. Yours truly believes Dart is a Day 3 talent and, thus, a massive reach in Round 1. However, the consensus on Dart was that he was a Day 2 talent, softening the blow and making head coach Brian Daboll’s preference for the SEC product more understandable.
The good news is that the Giants didn’t give up much (Nos. 34, 99, and a 2026 third) when they traded up. Moving up for a quarterback rather than another position earns them points, too. If New York fell in love late in the process, being aggressive is warranted, and ultimately, the front office will welcome Dart into a strong supporting cast.
Even so, rolling the dice on a developmental quarterback that doesn't have elite tools remains treacherous. Daboll’s ability to bring him up to speed could define his tenure.
Round 3 | Pick 65 | Toledo Defensive Tackle Darius Alexander | A-
New York’s biggest short-term need was a starter next to Lawrence. Adding someone who can take advantage of Lawrence’s gravity and/or force teams not to double him has a wide range of benefits for a defensive line that looks to be one of the best in the league.
Adding Carter pushed the Giants into the conversation for elite defensive lines. Alexander might finish the job.
There are questions about his production, age, and level of competition, but this is an athletic plug-and-play starter at a valuable position.
Round 4 | Pick 105 | Arizona State Running Back Cam Skattebo | B+
New York needed a better complement to running back Tyrone Tracy Jr., and it would be hard-pressed to find a stylistic counterpart more fitting than Skattebo.
Skattebo is a low, powerful runner who wins with his contact balance at an exorbitant rate. He won’t create big plays with his speed and open-field agility, but he will run through any defensive back unfortunate enough to stand in his path.
As a short-yardage option and weapon in the red zone, Skattebo is an upgrade over Devin Singletary, the veteran who held the role in 2024. Expect him to become a cult hero rather quickly in East Rutherford.
Round 5 | Pick 154 | Purdue Offensive Lineman Marcus Mbow | A-
There are few better feelings than watching a prospect fall to your favorite team on Day 3 and watching his name come across the ticker. The New York faithful found that on Saturday.
Mbow was largely viewed as a late Day 2/early Day 3 prospect, making his fifth-round selection a win in itself. With strong athleticism and quick hands, Mbow has a legitimate chance to start during his rookie contract, although his 32-inch arms make a future at guard more likely than right tackle.
Round 7 | Pick 219 | Nebraska Tight End Thomas Fidone II | C-
Admittedly, there are worse dice rolls to take than an athletic freak late on Day 3. The path for Fidone to make an impact, though, remains questionable.
At just 243 pounds, Fidone isn’t an impact blocker, and his play strength as a receiver doesn’t stand out. Perhaps he’ll grow into that role as he follows Theo Johnson’s footsteps. With any development on Johnson’s part, it’s hard to see Fidone getting on the field.
Round 7 | Pick 246 | Oklahoma State Cornerback Korie Black | B
Once it became clear that Colorado corner/receiver Travis Hunter wasn’t coming to East Rutherford, attention at the corner spot shifted to Day 3.
Black had a 30 visit with New York and tested well, largely due to his elite speed. The Giants churned through second-string defensive backs in 2024, with little success. Black gives them another dart through with athletic upside and presumed special teams versatility, a totally acceptable use of a late Round 7 pick.
FINAL GRADE: A-
Related: Giants Announce Major Move On Kayvon While Drafting Abdul Carter
Related: Giants Deliver Unsurprising News on First-Round Pick
Related: Giants Deliver Unsurprising News on First-Round Pick
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