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2025 NFL Draft

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Experts grade 2025 New York Giants Draft Class

ABDUL-CARTER

The Giants added one of the best players in the draft Thursday night with the selection of Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter.

The NFL world, including several of Carter's new teammates, took to social media to share their excitement about the pick.

The Giants then traded with the Houston Texans, moving up to No. 25 in order to take Mississippi quarterback Jaxson Dart.

Before we get into what NFL analysts are saying, here are the Giants' remaining draft picks:

2025 New York Giants Draft Order:

  • Round 1 – No. 3: Abdul Carter, Edge, Penn State
  • Round 1 - No. 25 (from Houston): Jaxson Dart, QB, Mississippi
  • Round 3 – No. 65: Darius Alexander, DT, Toledo
  • Round 4 – No. 105
  • Round 5 – No. 154 (from Seattle)
  • Round 7 – No. 219
  • Round 7 – No. 246 (from Buffalo)

View photos of Giants' first-round pick Abdul Carter at the 2025 NFL Draft in Green Bay.

Round 1, Pick 3 - Abdul Carter, Edge, Penn State

Grade: A+

"The Giants pass on the available quarterbacks here and take the best player on the board instead. I like it. Carter is a twitched-up, explosive pass rusher with excellent bend and burst. Dropping him beside Brian Burns, Dexter Lawrence, and Kayvon Thibodeaux will help the Giants field one of the best defensive fronts in the league."

Grade: A

"Carter is a versatile, explosive defender who's able to come off the edge and make plays in space when off the ball. Tackles have a tough time staying with his speed and bend as a pass rusher, and he flashes the power to win with a long-arm or bull rush move. He'll more than complement Kayvon Thibodeaux and Brian Burns off the edge."

Grade: A

"Carter was a relentless edge rusher at Penn State, and he'll fit in with Brian Burns in the Giants' 3-4 defense. He also should push Kayvon Thibodeaux for snaps — and perhaps for a starting role. Carter shifted from linebacker to edge last year at Penn State and became an unanimous first-team All-American and the Big Ten's defensive player of the year. He finished with 12 sacks and 23.5 tackles for loss. Perhaps most impressive, he fought through a serious left shoulder injury in the College Football Playoff and still dominated. That injury prevented him from combine testing, but his toughness trumps whatever numbers he forfeited in Indianapolis."

Grade: Elite

"The Giants added enough at quarterback in free agency with Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston to give them the freedom to take one of the few obvious blue-chip talents in this draft. Carter's 66 quarterback pressures ranked second in the FBS in his first season as a full-time edge rusher in 2024. He now joins a Giants defensive front that already features several impact players in Dexter Lawrence and Brian Burns."

Grade: A

"They had to pass on quarterback to take the best pass rusher in the draft. When the Giants won Super Bowls, they rushed the passer. Carter adds to talent up front. They can wait on the quarterback."

Grade: A

"Along with Hunter, many evaluators in the league believe Carter is the best prospect in the draft. He was a menace for the Nittany Lions, totaling a nation-high 24 tackles for loss and 12 sacks while earning first-team All-American status. At 6' 3" and 250 pounds, Carter has the size, speed and pass-rush tools to be a Day 1 star."

Grade: A

"The Giants didn't address one of their many offensive needs, but it's hard to be disappointed when they opted for the best overall player."

View the top photos from edge rusher Abdul Carter's career at Penn State.

Grade: A

"Big Blue's pick seemed to be trending this way for some time, but it still feels a bit strange to see the team exhibit some restraint around quarterback considerations given the desperation that has colored the rest of the offseason plans for the position. In terms of maximizing pure value, there was no real alternative to Carter at this slot. An absolute wrecking ball off the edge, the 6-2, 250-pounder offers a Pro Bowl-caliber package of athletic tools that he should wield even more comfortably as he grows more accustomed to full-time work rushing off the edge. File the question of how New York will utilize its newest disruptor alongside Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux under the category of good problems to have."

Grade: A

"A year ago, the Giants made a big play for Brian Burns to inject some life into their pass rush. With Carter playing opposite Burns and Dexter Lawrence wrecking the middle of an offensive line, New York's old identity is new again. The G-Men will be built around a mega-talented defensive front."

Grade: A

"The Giants make it three-for-three for acing the right picks at the right spots. They have some punch in their front seven, but not a dominant, versatile all-around disruptor both in the pass rush and run defense. Carter is a transcendent addition to boost Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux in their 3-4."

Grade: A-

"The perfect "finisher" to cap a dominant Giants defensive front, Carter is an obvious Defensive Rookie of the Year candidate."

Grade: B+

"This pick gives the Giants one of the fiercest pass rushes in the league and puts Abdul Carter with star defensive linemen Dexter Lawrence and Brian Burns. If the Giants' cornerback play can improve this year, this could be one of the most improved defenses in the league. The presence of Lawrence, Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux will give Carter some great matchups to wreak havoc as a rookie. Perhaps the Giants could've gone offensive line here, but Carter's upside as a pass rusher, in that front seven, is hard to turn down."

More picks I liked in Round 1: "There was speculation that the Giants might go quarterback at No. 3. But this team needs difference-makers, and Abdul Carter is one of the two elite prospects in this class. It makes sense. The Giants are going to get after the quarterback; they also have Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux off the edge. And remember that Carter also has the versatility to play off-ball if needed."

"I love this pick because the Giants are always at their best when led by their defense. Carter is an exceptional disruptor off the edge thanks to his elite get off and explosiveness. Putting him on a defensive line alongside Dexter Lawrence, Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux allows the G-Men to send multiple pass rushers after the quarterback on a regular basis."

"The Giants' biggest need isn't at defensive end, but having a strong pass rush is increasingly important. Carter can see the field on early downs as an off-ball linebacker and move to a pass rusher role on third down, similar to how the Cowboys used Micah Parsons during his rookie season. That's the ceiling for Carter, who is the most pro-ready player in this class."

Round 1, Pick 25 (from Houston) - Jaxson Dart, QB, Mississippi

Grade: A

"Dart possesses the arm, mobility and work ethic to be a future starter; that said, he should also have a chance to compete with Russell Wilson for the team's QB1 job this year. Dart adds value as a runner, which will make him a challenge for defenses that deploy a lot of man coverage."

Grade: A

"The Giants did their homework on every available quarterback and picked up the one they wanted, at just the right price. Instead of reaching at No. 3, the Giants picked the best player available there, then traded back into the first round to grab Dart. With veterans Jameis Winston and Russell Wilson in the building, New York has a buffer to ensure that Dart won't get overwhelmed on day one."

Grade: A-

"The Giants took care of getting their defensive superstar in Carter and can still make out with a potential franchise QB after trading up but passing on Sanders. Dart's big arm and dual-threat ability fit better in Brian Daboll's offense. Dart also has the mental and physical toughness combination to succeed in New York."

Grade: B+

"I like the Giants' aggression with this move. Dart has everything needed to become a star quarterback in the NFL, except experience in a pro-style attack. He possesses a strong, accurate arm with good touch on the deep ball, agility, power and grit as a runner and the leadership skills expected at quarterback...The Giants are one of the better fits for Dart given the presence of Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston. As such, Dart won't be rushed onto the field and can develop at his own pace."

"With Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston entrenched atop the depth chart, the Giants are good at quarterback for 2025 -- but they need an answer for the future. Dart gets time to develop behind the veterans. And with his physical tools as a deep-ball thrower and as a runner, he's the best fit of any remaining quarterbacks in the class for Brian Daboll's offense."

"Brian Daboll is a QB guru who had tremendous success with Josh Allen in Buffalo and seeks a quarterback with similar athleticism and play-making ability. Dart has the traits to play in an offense that features not only traditional dropback passes but movement-based concepts."

"Dart's timing and touch are impressive on passes thrown 10-19 yards from the pocket. He anticipates well and gets the ball out as receivers are making their breaks. He stands in and takes big hits to make plays. Dart extends plays, keeps his eyes downfield as he climbs the pocket and completes off-platform throws. Dart rushed for 1,500 yards and 12 touchdowns in three seasons at Ole Miss. His quickness, toughness and ability to make defenders miss allow him to be an effective scrambler or threat on designed quarterback runs."

"Feel good if you're a Giants fan. Not only did you get Abdul Carter, who was the first player on a lot of people's boards overall, but you also manipulated the draft board in such a way where you didn't give up a bounty of picks to go get your quarterback. If you look at the pick right after them, the Atlanta Falcons gave up a first round pick to get to the Rams to take a defensive end. You guys gave up a third round pick and the 34th to go and get Jaxson Dart. I love what Joe Schoen and company did."

View photos from quarterback Jaxson Dart's collegiate career at Mississippi and USC.

Round 1, Pick 65 - Darius Alexander, DT, Toledo

Grade: A

"The Giants already took the draft's best pass rusher, Abdul Carter, and now grab Alexander, who has incredible physical ability. Overlooked at Toledo, Alexander flashed during the Senior Bowl practice, where he was named the National Team's top defensive lineman. Great value selection."

Grade: A

"Ultimate defensive front seven chess piece. Clearly has DT size but aligned everywhere -- even at linebacker -- and made splash plays for Toledo last season. Has forceful style at the point of attack in classic interior rush role. Not super twitchy but a loose athlete. Hand work could be a touch more efficient. Love this addition for an ascending Giants defense. Options galore with Alexander. "

Grade: A

"The Giants have taken notice of Alexander's explosiveness flash on top of stout play vs. the run. He is a solid rotational pick for this spot given his second-round talent."

Grade: A

"The NFL covets traits, and Alexander has the physical traits for the next level. Now he gets to be a lottery ticket player next to Dexter Lawrence. He has impressive movements for a 300-pounder with long arms [34 inches] and pops at contact. The fluidity in his body is what ties everything together and allows him to be effective. The defensive line is loaded in this draft class, including at the Senior Bowl, which says a lot that Alexander was able to stand out among higher-profile players. I love this pick. The Giants needed a 3-technique up front and Alexander can emerge as a big-time player here as a rookie."

Grade: A-

"Alexander spent five years with Toledo, playing in 58 games. Over the past three seasons, he posted 8.5 sacks and 20 tackles for loss while earning second-team All-MAC honors in 2024. At 6' 4" and 305 pounds, Alexander will play inside while having the potential to be an immediate, plug-and-play starter."

Grade: Good

"This is good value for the Giants, as Alexander entered the draft as the 49th-ranked player on the PFF big board. Alexander's 90.1 PFF grade in 2024 ranked third among all interior defenders in the class."

"After trading away the No. 34 overall pick to move up for Jaxson Dart in Round 1, the Giants reenter the draft with a pretty solid selection. Alexander is a mature, NFL-ready talent with some room to grow. He has good length and interior rush skills and will upgrade the Giants' front."

"In the 3-4 defense, you need a 5-technique who can win in one-on-one situations against offensive tackles while having the power to set the edge. Alexander has exactly that, as well as enough quickness and physical upside to be an effective rusher on third downs. He will be a clean fit in the Giants' three-man front next to first-round pick Abdul Carter and veteran Brian Burns."

"Alexander is similar to Karl Brooks, who went to Green Bay on Day 2 a few years ago. Alexander was used on the boundary quite a bit and allowed to rush the passer, but his future is inside. New York is building a force to be reckoned with next to Dexter Lawrence."

"Despite standing 6-4, 305 pounds, he ran a 4.95 40 at the combine. He averaged seven TFLs the past three years and could be part of a revitalized NASCAR package for Big Blue."

View photos from defensive tackle Darius Alexander's collegiate career at Toledo.

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