NY Giants Draft Day 1

The New York Giants made two significant first-round selections in the 2025 NFL Draft, addressing critical needs on both sides of the ball. With the No. 3 overall pick, they selected Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter, and after trading up to the No. 25 pick, they chose Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart. Below is a detailed breakdown of each selection, covering evaluations, interviews, traits, play style comparisons, college careers, stats, and their potential immediate impact versus development needs.

1. Abdul Carter (Edge Rusher, Penn State) – No. 3 Overall Pick

Evaluations and Interviews

• Evaluations: Carter was widely regarded as one of the top prospects in the 2025 draft, often ranked among the top two or three players. Scouts praised his explosive athleticism, relentless motor, and versatility, noting his transition from linebacker to full-time edge rusher in 2024. His ability to dominate despite a shoulder injury in the College Football Playoff showcased his toughness and competitive drive. Some concerns included his average size for run defense and the need for further polish in his pass-rush techniques, but his upside as a “1A pass rusher” was undeniable.
• Interviews: The Giants conducted extensive evaluations, with GM Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll prioritizing blue-chip talent. Carter’s pre-draft interactions highlighted his confidence, as he consistently declared himself the best player in the draft. His interviews likely emphasized his work ethic and adaptability, given his successful positional shift at Penn State. The Giants’ focus on adding an elite edge rusher suggests Carter’s interviews reinforced his fit within their 3-4 defensive scheme alongside Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux.

Traits and Play Style

• Traits: Carter possesses elite get-off burst, body twitch, and competitive intensity. At 6’3” and 250 pounds, he has a frame similar to NFL edge rushers like Micah Parsons, with the ability to bend and leverage an array of pass-rush moves. His quickness allows him to slip blocks, and his range makes him effective in pursuit. While he lacks ideal girth for run support, his ability to regain balance after contact mitigates this weakness.
• Play Style: Carter is a disruptive, high-motor edge rusher who excels at impacting the quarterback and making plays in the backfield. He mixes speed, power, and developing technical moves to win one-on-one matchups. His versatility from his linebacker background allows him to drop into coverage occasionally, though his primary role will be as a pass rusher. He projects as a three-down player with the potential to dominate in passing situations.
• Comparison: Micah Parsons (Dallas Cowboys). Like Parsons, Carter is a Penn State product with a linebacker-to-edge transition, combining explosive athleticism, versatility, and a relentless motor. Both share a similar frame and play style, with Carter’s ability to bend and disrupt drawing direct parallels to Parsons’ early NFL impact. Carter’s confidence and comparisons to Parsons were noted pre-draft, though he’ll need to refine his technique to reach that level.

College Career and Stats

• Career Overview: Carter played three seasons at Penn State (2022–2024), transitioning from linebacker to edge rusher in 2024. He appeared in 42 games, starting 35, and earned numerous accolades, including Unanimous Consensus All-American honors in 2024, Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, and first-team All-Big Ten. His freshman year established him as a standout, and his final season as an edge rusher cemented his elite status.
• Stats:
• 2022 (Freshman, LB): 13 games, 6 starts, 56 tackles (10.5 TFL), 6.5 sacks, 4 pass breakups (PBUs). Named Freshman All-American and third-team All-Big Ten.
• 2023 (Sophomore, LB): 13 games, 13 starts, 48 tackles (5.5 TFL), 4.5 sacks, 1 INT, 5 PBUs, 1 forced fumble (FF). First-team All-Big Ten.
• 2024 (Junior, EDGE): 12+ sacks, 23.5 TFL, 172 total tackles (104 solo), 23.0 sacks, 39.5 TFL, 5 FFs, 13 PBUs across career. Ranked third in Penn State single-season history for TFL (23.5) and tied for sixth in sacks (12.0).
• Notable: Carter became the first Penn State player since Carl Nassib (2015) to record 10+ sacks in a season (2024). His 10 career games with 2+ TFL highlight his consistent impact.

Immediate Impact vs. Development

• Immediate Impact: Carter is poised to make an immediate impact for the Giants. His explosive traits and production as a pass rusher align with the team’s need for a dynamic edge presence alongside Dexter Lawrence and Brian Burns. Analysts project him as a 10-plus sack candidate from Year 1, capable of pushing Kayvon Thibodeaux for snaps or starting outright. His toughness, shown by playing through a shoulder injury, suggests he can handle NFL physicality early. The Giants’ 3-4 scheme, which emphasizes edge rushers, is an ideal fit for his skill set.
• Development Needs: While Carter’s raw talent is elite, he requires polish in his pass-rush arsenal and run-defense technique. His transition to full-time edge rusher means he’s still developing counters and hand usage. Improving his ability to hold up against the run, given his average size, will be key for consistent three-down play. Under defensive coordinator Shane Bowen, Carter should refine these areas, but his ceiling as a perennial Pro Bowler depends on this growth.

2. Jaxson Dart (Quarterback, Ole Miss) – No. 25 Overall Pick (Trade-Up)

Evaluations and Interviews

• Evaluations: Dart was a polarizing prospect, with opinions varying on his NFL ceiling. Scouts praised his accuracy, quick release, and mobility in Lane Kiffin’s QB-friendly offense at Ole Miss, where he set school records. His 2024 season, leading the FBS in yards per attempt (10.8) and completions of 10+ yards (74), showcased his downfield ability. However, concerns included his arm strength (adequate but not elite), inconsistent progression reads, and reliance on pre-snap reads due to Ole Miss’ scheme. The Giants’ decision to trade up suggests they saw him as a high-upside developmental QB who fits Brian Daboll’s system.
• Interviews: The Giants conducted thorough evaluations of all top QBs, including Dart, spending significant time assessing his fit. Dart’s competitive fire, leadership, and athleticism likely stood out in interviews, as did his experience in high-pressure SEC games. His ability to extend plays and make off-platform throws aligned with Daboll’s preference for mobile, aggressive QBs like Josh Allen. The Giants’ trade-up indicates confidence in his intangibles and coachability, despite not being the consensus QB2 (behind Cam Ward or Shedeur Sanders).

Traits and Play Style

• Traits: Dart, at 6’2” and 223 pounds, has solid size and above-average athleticism. His quick release, accuracy (69.3% completion in 2024), and ability to push the ball downfield are strengths. He’s a natural thrower with high competitive intangibles, comfortable operating under pressure. His mobility adds a dual-threat element, with 1,541 career rushing yards. Weaknesses include average arm strength and underdeveloped progression-based reads, which he wasn’t consistently asked to make in college.
• Play Style: Dart thrives in a quick-rhythm passing game, excelling at pre-snap reads and getting the ball out fast to open receivers. He’s adept at stretching the field vertically and can escape pressure to make plays with his legs. His style suits a play-action, RPO-heavy offense that leverages his mobility and accuracy. However, he’ll need to adapt to more complex NFL reads and improve anticipation to succeed as a starter.
• Comparison: Daniel Jones (New York Giants). Dart’s profile draws eerie parallels to Jones, with similar size, athleticism, rushing upside, and accuracy but questions about arm strength and processing. Both have the tools for QB1 potential but need development in reading defenses. Analysts noted Dart’s fit with Daboll, who coached Jones, suggesting he could be molded into a similar dual-threat starter, though with potentially better intangibles.

College Career and Stats

• Career Overview: Dart began at USC (2021) before transferring to Ole Miss (2022–2024), playing 45 games (41 starts) across four seasons. At Ole Miss, he set career records for passing yards (10,617) and total offense (12,115), surpassing Eli Manning’s marks. His 2024 season was a breakout, earning first-team All-SEC honors and Gator Bowl MVP. He played in a QB-friendly system under Lane Kiffin, which maximized his strengths but limited his exposure to full-field reads.
• Stats:
• 2021 (USC, Freshman): 6 games, 3 starts, 117/189 (61.9%), 1,353 yards, 9 TDs, 5 INTs, 159.8 passer rating; 103 rushes, 188 yards, 2 TDs.
• 2022 (Ole Miss, Sophomore): 13 games, 13 starts, 226/362 (62.4%), 2,974 yards, 20 TDs, 11 INTs, 144.5 passer rating; 128 rushes, 614 yards, 1 TD.
• 2023 (Ole Miss, Junior): 13 games, 12 starts, 233/358 (65.1%), 3,364 yards, 23 TDs, 5 INTs, 162.4 passer rating; 119 rushes, 389 yards, 8 TDs.
• 2024 (Ole Miss, Senior): 13 games, 13 starts, 276/398 (69.3%), 4,279 yards, 29 TDs, 6 INTs, 182.8 passer rating; 114 rushes, 350 yards, 3 TDs.
• Career Totals: 852/1,307 (65.2%), 11,970 yards, 81 TDs, 27 INTs, 158.4 passer rating; 393 rushes, 1,541 yards, 14 TDs. Averaged 266.0 passing yards and 300.2 total yards per game.
• Notable: Led FBS in 2024 with 10.8 yards per attempt and ranked third with 4,279 passing yards. His 4,774 total offense yards in 2024 set an Ole Miss record.

Immediate Impact vs. Development

• Immediate Impact: Dart is unlikely to make an immediate impact as a starter, as the Giants plan to start Russell Wilson in 2025, with Jameis Winston as a backup. This setup allows Dart to develop behind experienced veterans, learning Daboll’s system without being thrust into action. His mobility and accuracy could make him a spot starter or package player if injuries arise, but his role in Year 1 will likely be limited to practice and growth.
• Development Needs: Dart requires significant development to become a franchise QB. He must improve his progression-based reads, anticipation, and ability to navigate complex NFL defenses, as Ole Miss’ offense relied heavily on pre-snap reads and open receivers. His arm strength, while adequate, may limit his ability to make tight-window throws consistently. Daboll’s track record with QBs suggests Dart can grow into a starter, but he’ll need 1–2 years to refine his processing and decision-making. His upside as a dual-threat QB with a top receiver like Malik Nabers is promising, but patience is key.

Trade Details for Jaxson Dart

To acquire the No. 25 pick, the Giants traded their 2025 second-round pick (No. 34), third-round pick (No. 99), and a 2026 third-round pick to the Houston Texans. This move allowed them to secure Dart without sacrificing their top picks in later rounds, preserving flexibility for Day 2 and 3 selections. The trade was seen as a calculated risk, given the Giants’ need for a long-term QB solution and their confidence in Dart’s fit with Daboll.

Draft Strategy and Context

The Giants’ first-round approach was a masterclass in balancing immediate impact and long-term potential. Selecting Carter at No. 3 addressed a critical defensive need, adding a blue-chip talent to a front featuring Dexter Lawrence and Brian Burns. Trading up for Dart at No. 25 reflected their commitment to finding a QB of the future without forcing a reach early, especially after Cam Ward went No. 1 and Shedeur Sanders was projected to go later. The presence of veterans Wilson and Winston allowed flexibility to prioritize Carter early and still secure a developmental QB. Analysts praised the Giants’ haul, with some calling it a “franchise-altering night” if both players hit their ceilings.

Immediate Impact Summary

• Abdul Carter: Likely to start or see significant snaps as a pass rusher, contributing 8–10 sacks and disrupting backfields from Day 1. His fit in the Giants’ 3-4 scheme and elite traits ensure an immediate role.
• Jaxson Dart: Expected to sit behind Wilson and Winston, with minimal on-field impact in 2025 unless injuries force him into action. His role will focus on learning and adapting to the NFL.

Development Outlook

• Carter: Needs to refine pass-rush moves and run-defense technique to become a perennial All-Pro. His trajectory suggests he could reach this level within 2–3 years.
• Dart: Requires 1–2 years to develop progression reads and anticipation. If he adapts to Daboll’s system, he could emerge as a starter by 2026 or 2027, potentially resembling a more polished Daniel Jones.

Conclusion

The Giants’ 2025 first-round picks of Abdul Carter and Jaxson Dart address two of their most pressing needs: a dominant edge rusher and a potential franchise QB. Carter’s elite traits and college production position him for immediate impact, drawing comparisons to Micah Parsons, while Dart’s accuracy and mobility offer long-term upside akin to Daniel Jones, though he’ll need time to develop. The Giants’ strategic approach—securing a top defensive talent and trading up for a developmental QB—earned high praise, with draft grades ranging from A to A+. If both players maximize their potential, this draft could mark a turning point for a franchise desperate to rebound from a 3-14 season.