New York Giants (Last Year: 3-14)
Goals Entering the 2025 NFL Draft: The Giants need a franchise quarterback, but their front office is in a lame-duck situation, so it may not address the position in this draft until the middle rounds. Given this odd situation, Giants ownership should have fired everyone involved. Nevertheless, the Giants have a miserable roster that is lacking talent in many places. They need to obtain the best player available with every pick.
2025 NFL Draft Accomplishments: Everyone expected the Abdul Carter selection, so let’s discuss Jaxson Dart. It was an odd pick by the front office because a losing season will probably mean that there will be new people in charge next year, so logic would dicatate that ownership weighed in on the decision. Either way, it was a mistake to trade up for Dart when the Giants could have traded down and obtained Shedeur Sanders, or perhaps even Dart himself.
Aside from the Dart mishap, the Giants had a great draft. Excluding the Dart pick, all of their selections in the first six rounds all earned A- grades or better. And even their two seventh-round choices scored B+ grades. Cam Skattebo and Marcus Mbow were terrific values in the middle rounds.
If the Giants hadn’t panicked by trading up for Dart, they would have earned an “A” for their draft class. They must be downgraded for the decision, but they had a great draft class otherwise.
NFL Draft Individual Grades:
3. Abdul Carter, DE, Penn State – A- Grade
We return to normalcy. The one argument you can make about this pick is that it doesn’t satisfy a need. The Giants have tons of needs, but they had a quality edge rush last year. However, Carter is the best player available, and Kayvon Thibodeaux has an expiring contract in the near future. Besides, you can never have too many talented pass rushers, especially in a division with Jalen Hurts and Jayden Daniels
25. Jaxson Dart, QB, Ole Miss – C+ Grade
It was obvious the Giants would draft a quarterback when they traded up to No. 25, but I actually thought that one of the safety picks would have been better. Jaxson Dart is not a first-round prospect, so the Giants shouldn’t have traded up for him, although two third-round picks isn’t the worst compensation to surrender. I get this pick, but New York should have been more patient. Dart could have easily fallen to them.
65. Darius Alexander, DT, Toledo – A- Grade
The Giants lead off Round 3 with a solid pick. Darius Alexander gets good pressure on the quarterback, so given the talent level at quarterback in the division, it makes sense for the Giants to bolster their front seven.
105. Cam Skattebo, RB, Arizona State – A+ Grade
It’s amazing that Cam Skattebo was available in Round 4. Someone needs to do a collusion investigation on him falling. In all seriousness, I love this pick. It doesn’t fill a huge need, but Skattebo is one of the best players available. I thought he should have gone in Round 2.
154. Marcus Mbow, G, Purdue – A Grade
Given how poor the Giants’ offensive line has been, they can’t be criticized for adding quality blocking for Jaxson Dart. Marcus Mbow is a bit of a project because he needs to get stronger for the NFL, but he has good quickness and athleticism. I love the upside.
219. Thomas Fidone, TE, Nebraska – B+ Grade
Some tight end depth behind Theo Johnson makes sense for the Giants. Fidone was seen as a sixth-round prospect, so the range is about right. Fidone is very athletic and has upside.
246. Korie Black, CB, Oklahoma State – B+ Grade
I had the Giants drafting Korie Black 30 picks earlier than this. Black was getting a ton of buzz late in the draft process, so I’m not surprised to see him chosen at this spot. He’ll have a chance to compete for a starting job in a weak secondary.
Follow me @walterfootball for updates.
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