The New York Giants made a massive splash in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft as they added Abdul Carter and Jaxson Dart to their roster. Let’s grade the Giants’ picks.
Giants Take Abdul Carter No. 3
Abdul Carter was arguably the best player in the class, and the New York Giants were able to land him at the No. 3 overall pick. Carter was the 2024 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year after racking up 12.0 sacks for Penn State last fall. He is an elite edge rusher who has tremendous initial quickness. Also, he can defend the run and chase down players all over the field, as he had 23.5 tackles for loss in 2024.
Carter gives the Giants an immediate impact player on the outside, and his game should elevate guys like Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux.
New York Trades up for Jaxson Dart
The Giants moved into the first round by making a trade with the Houston Texans. At No. 25, they selected a potential QB of the future in Jaxson Dart from Ole Miss. It was kind of a shock to see Dart’s name before Shedeur Sanders, but the Giants clearly got the guy they wanted. Dart can sit behind Russell Wilson and learn without having to be thrown into the fire.
Dart showed impressive timing and touch while at Ole Miss. He has great anticipation and isn’t afraid to stay in the pocket to take a hit. Dart is also a solid athlete as he had over 1,500 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns on the ground in three seasons with the Rebels.
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Giants First Round Draft Grade: A
The Giants crushed the first round of the NFL Draft by adding an elite edge rusher along with a quarterback of the future. They had to give up two third-round picks to move up to No. 25, and time will tell if it was worth it. Abdul Carter gives New York an outstanding edge rusher who will make an impact on day one. Carter will be a great complement for Kayvon Thibodeaux and Brian Burns on the outside.
Jaxson Dart enters a great situation as he can sit behind Russell Wilson for a year to learn the offense and get comfortable. He looks like he has the tools to develop into a legitimate starter. With the Giants moving up into the first round to get him, they secure the fifth-year option, which will be impactful if Dart blossoms into a starter quickly.
What Will New York Do in Round 3?
After making a huge move in the first round, the Giants have their next pick at the top of the third round. When it comes to team needs, they could use depth at wide receiver as well as on the interior defensive line. After taking Jaxson Dart, it wouldn’t be surprising to see them lean toward getting another wideout who can work alongside Malik Nabers and Wan’Dale Robinson to form a dynamic group in the future. Nabers had 1,204 yards with 7 touchdowns last season as a rookie.
Defensive tackle is also a pressing need, as the Giants were near the bottom of the league in rushing yards given up (27th). The defense was 21st in points against and 24th in total yards against. There is room for improvement, and that starts in the trenches. Getting another interior DT to add to the rotation could help draw attention away from edge rushers.
