EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- The 2025 NFL draft kicked off from Green Bay, Wisconsin, and the New York Giants took edge Abdul Carter from Penn State with the No. 3 selection of the first round and traded back via the Houston Texans to get Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dart at No. 25. This Giants traded picks No. 34, No. 99 and a 2026 3rd-round pick.
Here's a look at New York's selection:
Analysis of every pick | Updated depth chart
Round 1, No. 3: Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State
My take: The direction of the Giants is now clear. Build up the defense, the pass rush in particular, and let that be the strength of the team. Carter joins Brian Burns, Kayvon Thibodeaux, Dexter Lawrence II and Bobby Okereke to give the Giants a front seven that can strike fear into opponents -- resembling some successful teams of their past. Carter was the kind of prospect the Giants couldn't bypass at No. 3. He was considered by some teams the best player in the draft. It wasn't difficult to go this direction with the general consensus that this wasn't an especially strong quarterback class after Cam Ward, who went No. 1 to the Tennessee Titans.
Will he start as a rookie? The No. 3 pick isn't going to sit. The Giants are going to find a way to get him on the field, even if Burns and Thibodeaux are on the roster. It helps that Carter played linebacker his first two years at Penn State. It will be up to defensive coordinator Shane Bowen to find ways to get him on the field. It wouldn't be the least bit surprising if Carter plays alongside both Burns and Thibodeaux in distinctive sub-packages.
What we're hearing about Carter: "Great player!" one assistant general manager said. "Elite lower body flex," a defensive line coach raved. "Explosive and super productive" and "elite talent" other coaches added. There seems to be little doubt about the kind of player that Carter can be. He had 12 sacks in his first season as an edge rusher last year at Penn State. It's that pass rush ability that has many thinking he can produce similarly to Dallas Cowboys star Micah Parsons in the NFL. In fact, one coach said Carter modeled his game after Parsons -- and it shows. The Giants passed on Parsons in 2021. They weren't going to do the same with Carter.
Round 1, No. 25: Jaxson Dart, QB, Ole Miss (via Houston Texans)
My take: Well, Schoen and Daboll finally took a swing at a quarterback. It's the first time they have drafted someone at the position since taking over in 2022. On the hot seat after finishing 3-14 last season, this could buy them time, especially if Dart flashes at any point this summer, preseason or during the regular season. There is a lot to like. Dart has talent. He's accurate, anticipates well, can escape pressure, run RPOs (run-pass options) and throws a good deep ball. He even admittedly has some "edge" that could make him a good fit in New York.
Will he start as a rookie?: Nope. At least not any time soon. It was pretty obvious the Giants want him to "sit and learn behind a couple veterans," as Schoen explained. Dart seemed to understand that. There are scenarios where the rookie could end up playing as the season progresses, but there is also a world where this will be like a redshirt year. There isn't a lot of pressure for the Giants to throw him into games this season, especially early in the year. That's exactly why they signed Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston in free agency.
Ties to the team: Dart talked about how he was constantly receiving text messages from Daboll throughout the process, so they have developed a relationship. Playing at Ole Miss, he also knows Giants legend Eli Manning and his father Archie well. Eli and Archie communicated with Dart earlier Thursday to wish him good luck. Eli Manning surely will serve as a nice sounding board for the young quarterback from Utah about what to expect living and playing in New York.
What's next: The Giants had to give up their second-round pick in order to get Dart. They waited until pick No. 23 to start looking at a trade back because they at least wanted to keep their first third-round selection (No. 65). Instead, they gave up pick No. 99 in the deal. The Giants now only have one Day 2 pick remaining and have interior offensive line, defensive line and running back on the front burner. Guess some of those needs will have to wait until Day 3.
Remaining Picks
Round 3: No. 65
Round 4: No. 105
Round 5: No. 154 (from Seattle)
Round 7: No. 219
Round 7: 246 (from Buffalo)