New York Giants Rookie Forecast 2025

Giants Rookie Forecast 2025

Solid Starter

Darius Alexander, DT, Toledo – Round 3

The Giants have one of the top interior defensive linemen in the NFL with Dexter Lawrence, but New York entered the 2025 NFL Draft needing more talent to go next to Lawrence. Fortunately for the Giants, the draft was deep at the defensive tackle position, so they could land an excellent value on day two. That is exactly what happened when Alexander made it to their third-round pick. In a typical year, he probably would have gone in the top 50, so landing him in the third round could turn into a steal.

In the pass rush, the 6-foot-4, 305-pound Alexander flashes the ability to contribute in putting pressure on the quarterback. He is quick off the snap, and when he plays with good pad level, he gains leverage on offensive linemen. With active hands, Alexander has developed good technique and is smart about how he attacks guards. In both phases, Alexander has a steady motor and doesn’t quit on plays going hard through the whistle. While he is not overwhelmingly fast or twitchy, Alexander is a well-balanced defender who can contribute.

As a run defender, Alexander is strong and physical at the point of attack. He uses his strength and length to take on blocks while being very reliable to hold his gap. There is no doubt that Alexander has developed strength as he is adept at shedding blocks to flow to the ball for stops or disruption. Quickly in the NFL, Alexander will be a plus run defender as a defensive end.

Alexander is making a big jump in competition, going from Toledo to the NFL, but after a year of developing, he could be ready to take off. With Lawrence next to him commanding double teams, Alexander could exploit one-on-one blocks with his speed. He could be a dangerous three-technique and interior disruptor. In a year or two, I think Alexander could emerge as a solid starter for New York.

2024: Tyler Nubin, S
2023: John Michael Schmitz, C
2022: Evan Neal, OT
2021: Aaron Robinson, CB
2020: Xavier McKinney, S
2019: DeAndre Baker, CB
2018: Will Hernandez, G
2017: Dalvin Tomlinson, DT
2016: Sterling Shepard, WR
2015: Owa Odighizuwa, DE
2014: Weston Richburg, C
2013: Justin Pugh, G

Most Likely To Bust

Jaxson Dart, QB, Ole Miss – Round 1

There were many projections of Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart slipping to the second day of the 2025 NFL Draft. However, there were also a lot of mock drafts that had him going in the first round of the draft. Some were projecting Dart to the Saints with the ninth pick, and there were many projections of Dart going to the Steelers at pick 21. New Orleans and Pittsburgh did not like Dart enough to take him with their picks, but the New York Giants traded up from the second round to select Dart at pick 25.

In speaking to sources at a number of teams, they definitely view Dart as a first-round reach. Leading up to the draft, we surveyed sources at 11 teams, and 10 of them said they did not have a first-round grade on Dart. One general manager said they thought he would go in the first round, but that team signed a quarterback in free agency over drafting Dart. Some of the Giants’ own evaluators did not grade Dart as a true first-rounder, but the top of the organization fell in love with Dart enough to move back into the first round to select him.

For the NFL, Dart is an instinctive passer who is tough and competitive. He is a gritty gunslinger who can loft passes downfield with impressive ball placement. He makes accurate passes with precision strikes to hit receivers in stride and lead them for yards after the catch. While Dart does not have a powerful cannon, he has a quality arm and can make all the throws. Dart is aggressive in pushing the ball downfield and attacking the secondary at all levels. Dart is not a dangerous runner, but if defenses neglect him, he can pick up some yards on the ground. Dart enters the NFL with a lot of experience running a lot of concepts of the NFL West Coast offenses.

Dart has some physical limitations and areas of his play that he needs to clean up. Dart does not have an elite arm or running ability, with average size. While Dart did not throw a lot of interceptions, he should have thrown more, as he had several interception-worthy throws that were not picked off by the defense. Dart should have thrown more interceptions in college, and he also had issues with fumbles. A lack of pocket presence is something that Dart will need to work on with pro coaches as well. Dart also can get rattled when under pressure, and he had an epic meltdown performance against an inferior Florida team to lose his team a spot in the college football playoff.

While Dart has enough talent to start, I think his limitations could make him more of a pro backup. As a first-rounder, he is expected to be a long-term starter, and I think he could fall short of that and has bust potential for the Giants.

2024: None
2023: Jalin Hyatt, WR
2022: Joshua Ezeudu, G
2021: Azeez Ojulari, DE
2020: Darnay Holmes, CB
2019: Oshane Ximines, LB
2018: Lorenzo Carter, LB
2017: Davis Webb, QB
2016: Darian Thompson, S
2015: Landon Collins, S
2014: Jay Bromley, DT
2013: Damontre Moore, DE

Potential Boom Pick

Abdul Carter, OLB, Penn State – Round 1

The Giants have two established edge rushers in Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux, but landing Abdul Carter with the third-overall pick was too good to pass up for New York. Carter is a versatile defender and can line up at a variety of places. Thus, the Giants can have all three rush the quarterback in the sub package. After picking up the fifth-year option for Thibodeaux, New York has this dynamic group of speed rushers ready to hunt the quarterback for at least the next two seasons.

For the NFL, Carter (6-3, 250) is a dynamic quarterback hunter who is a lethal pass rusher off the edge. With a tremendous get-off, Carter has explosive speed off the edge as he fires off the ball with superb first-step quickness. Carter is extremely fast to blow by offensive tackles and get upfield to cause quick penetration into the pocket. Carter can beat tackles with sheer speed off the edge, as he is extremely fast. On top of being fast, Carter has a repertoire of moves with an impressive rip move, speed to power, and swim to the inside. He has functional upper body strength to shed blockers and is capable of using his hands and feet at the same time. Carter has excellent instincts and feel as a rusher, showing good play recognition to redirect and read plays well to know when he can fire off his landmark and hunt down the quarterback when he lines up as an off-the-ball linebacker. Carter is a tremendous pursuit defender who plays hard and packs a punch when he gets there. He is strong and physical and has the ability to take over and dominate football games.

As a run defender, Carter plays hard and is very good in pursuit. He shows the strength to take on and shed blocks. He also demonstrated the ability to drop into pass coverage as a traditional off-the-ball linebacker. The only real knock on Carter is that he lacks the size to be a three-down base end in the NFL. At his size, he could have issues holding up as a run defender against offensive tackles that outweigh him 50-80 pounds. Carter will have to be a hybrid defender who plays some linebacker in base sets and lines up as an edge rusher in the subpackage.

In this analyst’s opinion, Carter was the best prospect in the 2025 NFL Draft. I think he could be a devastating pass rusher who consistently produces double-digit sack seasons and is a game-wrecker for his defense. He is worthy of being a high first-round pick in any draft class. I think he will be a pro-bowler and dynamic pass rusher early in his career. I think Carter has real boom pick potential for New York.

2024: Malik Nabers, WR
2023: Deonte Banks, CB
2022: Kayvon Thibodeaux, DE
2021: Kadarius Toney, WR
2020: Andrew Thomas, OT
2019: Dexter Lawrence, DT
2018: Saquon Barkley, RB
2017: Evan Engram, TE
2016: Eli Apple, CB
2015: Ereck Flowers, OT
2014: Odell Beckham Jr., WR
2013: Johnathan Hankins, DT

Future Depth Player

Cam Skattebo, RB, Arizona State – Round 4

The Giants ended Skattebo’s slide, and that was a fine landing spot. Tyrone Tracy Jr. had a strong rookie season in 2024 and is slated to be the starter. New York also has an experienced veteran in Devin Singletary and a second-year back in Eric Gray to compete for playing time. Skattebo has some limitations for the NFL, but I think he could be a solid No. 2 back that helps keep Tracy fresh and takes on a lot of the short-yardage situations.

2024: Tyrone Tracy, RB
2023: Eric Gray, RB
2022: Daniel Bellinger, TE
2021: Elerson Smith, DE
2020: Shane Lemieux, G
2019: Darius Slayton, WR
2018: Kyle Lauletta, QB
2017: Wayne Gallman, RB
2016: Paul Perkins, RB
2015: Bobby Hart, G
2014: Andre Williams, RB
2013: Ryan Nassib, QB