Dan Salomone
Time's up. Pencils down. Pass your final mock drafts to the left because they're definitely not right.
The 2025 NFL Draft will take place April 24-26 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay. The first round will be held Thursday night, followed by Rounds 2-3 (Friday) and Rounds 4-7 (Saturday).
The New York Giants own eight selections in the 2025 NFL Draft, including the third overall choice and five picks in the top 105.
The Giants have used the No. 3 pick twice in franchise history, most recently on two-time Super Bowl champion and Ring of Honor linebacker Carl Banks out of Michigan State in 1984.
2025 New York Giants Draft Order:
- Round 1 No. 3
- Round 2 No. 34
- Round 3 No. 65
- Round 3 No. 99 (compensatory selection)
- Round 4 No. 105
- Round 5 No. 154 (from Seattle)
- Round 7 No. 219
- Round 7 No. 246 (from Buffalo)
Below is a look at the final mock drafts coming in for the Giants at No. 3.
Mel Kiper Jr., ESPN
Pick:Abdul Carter, OLB, Penn State
Analysis:"In his first season as a full-time edge rusher (after playing primarily off-ball linebacker in past years), Carter had 12 sacks and 23.5 total tackles for loss. I see elite traits on the tape."
Daniel Jeremiah, NFL Media
Pick:Abdul Carter, Edge, Penn State
Analysis:"There's been chatter about the Giants potentially trading out of this pick, but if they stay put, I think they address the defensive line. Carter could take their front from good to great."
Peter Schrager, ESPN
Pick:Abdul Carter, Edge, Penn State
Analysis:"A few days ago, it sounded as if it was Carter or Hunter, but the Giants are having fluid conversations all week. I could imagine a host of teams calling if Carter is not a slam dunk."
Charles Davis, NFL Media
Pick:Abdul Carter, Edge, Penn State
Analysis:"Could this be the spot for Shedeur Sanders? After weighing their options, the Giants take an elite edge rusher to pump up the defense."
Dane Brugler, The Athletic
Pick:Abdul Carter, Edge, Penn State
Analysis:"Like Cleveland, the Giants are looking for the "right" quarterback but with Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston on the roster, they also don't need to force anything. Pass rusher might not be a screaming need, but you draft players not positions in the top three, and Carter is a true impact player."
Todd McShay, The Ringer
Pick:Abdul Carter, Edge, Penn State
Analysis:"General manager Joe Schoen will make the only decision, in my mind, by taking Carter here."
Eric Edholm, NFL.com
Pick:Abdul Carter, Edge, Penn State
Analysis:"The Giants still have a decision to make on Kayvon Thibodeaux's fifth-year option. Carter, my No. 1 overall prospect in this draft class, could be an absolute monster in time."
Field Yates, ESPN
Pick:Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
Analysis:"Sanders throws with pristine accuracy and touch -- he passed for 4,134 yards and completed 74% of his throws last season -- but he must improve his urgency under duress. With Wilson and Winston sharing the QB room with him, he could learn and keep developing without the pressure of being immediately thrown into the QB1 role."
Bucky Brooks, NFL.com
Pick:Abdul Carter, Edge, Penn State
Analysis:"Bypassing a chance to land a potential franchise quarterback is risky, but the Giants could take a disruptive playmaker to enhance a pass rush that features three quarterback hunters (Brian Burns, Dexter Lawrence and Kayvon Thibodeaux) on the front line."
Matt Miller, ESPN
Pick:Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
Analysis:"Sanders is an accurate, tough pocket passer who improved the culture at both Jackson State and Colorado alongside his father and coach, Deion Sanders. Shedeur Sanders is poised, with great field vision and an ability to throw his guys open from the pocket."
Jordan Reid, ESPN
Pick:Abdul Carter, Edge, Penn State
Analysis:"His 18.5% pressure rate last season was third in the FBS and his 61 pressures were the second most. Alongside defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence II and edges Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux, New York's defensive front could become one of the league's most terrifying units."
Josh Liskiewitz, Pro Football Focus
Pick:Abdul Carter, Edge, Penn State
Analysis:"It's hard not to see some Micah Parsons in Carter, who not only wears the same No. 11 but also pops off the screen nearly every play due to being a rare caliber athlete. If he can get even stronger, he has All-Pro potential as a player worthy of a top-five pick."
Rhett Lewis, NFL Network
Pick:Abdul Carter, Edge, Penn State
Analysis:"Sure, the Giants spent substantial draft capital in the trade for Brian Burns last year and the selection of Kayvon Thibodeaux at No. 5 overall in 2022. But in keeping the Eagles' championship formula in focus, you can never have too many high-quality defensive linemen, and Carter is the best in this class."
Mike Band, Next Gen Stats
Pick:Abdul Carter, Edge, Penn State
Analysis:As former Giants GM Ernie Accorsi once said, "you never, ever have enough pass rushers."
Pete Prisco, CBS Sports
Pick:Abdul Carter, Edge, Penn State
Analysis:"The Giants would take Hunter if he were there, but in this one he isn't. So they take the edge player from Penn State to add to their front seven. They won their last two titles because of the front seven."
Tony Pauline, Sportskeeda
Pick:Abdul Carter, Edge, Penn State
Analysis:"Carter is a terrific fit for the Giants' defense and should add immediate impact, which the team needs."
Cynthia Frelund, NFL Network
Pick:Cam Ward, QB, Miami
Analysis:"The Giants must sort out the offensive line in free agency if they end up taking a quarterback here. Ward's ability to limit turnovers while extending plays would get this offense back on track and open up Brian Daboll's play-calling. It's worth noting that there were simulations in which New York traded down a few spots and selected an offensive lineman instead (such as Kelvin Banks Jr., who has plenty of experience and can play RT); in those scenarios, the Giants would likely look to add a veteran passer in free agency and/or select one later in April's draft."
Danny Kelly, The Ringer
Pick:Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado
Analysis:"With Ward off the board, the Giants grab one of the most dynamic players in recent memory in Hunter. The former Heisman winner provides a big impact at two separate positions of need for New York. My guess right now is that he'll play full time at corner and moonlight at receiver, but he just may be the type of outlier athlete who can play both sides of the ball full time."
Lance Zierlein, NFL.com
Pick:Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado
Analysis:"It seems likely that the Giants will get phone calls from teams looking to move up into this spot, but sitting tight and taking a player who could impact Brian Daboll's team on either (or both?) sides of the ball is the play."
Mason Cameron, Pro Football Focus
Pick:Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado
Analysis:"With Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston on the roster, New York secures the top overall prospect in the 2025 draft class in Colorado's two-way superstar."
Nick Baumgardner, The Athletic
Pick:Mason Graham, DT, Michigan
Analysis:"The Giants have spent the entire offseason trying to find veteran quarterbacks in the face of this rookie class, This, too, could be a Sanders landing spot. But I have zero questions about Graham's ability to help the Giants immediately."
Chad Reuter, NFL.com
Pick:Abdul Carter, Edge, Penn State
Analysis:"Yes, the Giants already employ pass rushers Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux (who, it should be noted, missed five games in 2024) -- but Carter would be quite the fill-in for Azeez Ojulari after Ojulari's departure via free agency. Carter also has the versatility to play off the ball if the team wants to get him on the field more regularly."
Trevor Sikkema, Pro Football Focus
Pick:Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado
Analysis:"There are rumors of New York trading up to No. 1 overall for its preferred quarterback (I assume it's Cam Ward), but I'll leave that scenario for another mock. Instead, I could see them drafting the best football player in the class, Travis Hunter, and being very happy about what he and Malik Nabers can do for them for years to come."
Ryan Wilson, CBS Sports
Pick:Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado
Analysis:"Hunter is the best athlete -- and the best player -- in this draft class. We've had otherworldly cornerbacks and wide receivers in previous classes but he's a two-fer, able to dominate on both sides of the ball and take over games. The big question: where will the team that drafts him want him to play? And if it's, say, at cornerback, how big will be the package of offensive plays for Hunter. Because lining up for 120 snaps a game, like he's done for the Buffs, isn't sustainable in the NFL."
Rob Rang, FOX Sports
Pick:Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
Analysis:"I see Sanders as uniquely suited for New York, given his pinpoint accuracy and comfort in the spotlight."
Kyle Crabbs, The 33rd Team
Pick:Abdul Carter, Edge, Penn State
Analysis:"New York's decision here is a fascinating one, but it's hard to blame the plan to 'get the best player first.'"
Maurice Jones-Drew, NFL.com
Pick:Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
Analysis:"Despite signing veteran quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston this offseason, the Giants still need to find a long-term answer at quarterback. Sanders, a crisp and accurate passer, has the talent and moxie to become a star in New York."
Nate Tice, Yahoo Sports
Pick:Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado
Analysis:"After seeing QBs get picked off in front of them, the Giants instead veer toward star power. Hunter is an excellent athlete and has a rare feel for the cornerback position. With Malik Nabers already showing off his star potential at receiver, there's no need to overwhelm Hunter as a two-way player right away."
Mike Renner, CBS Sports
Pick:Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State
Analysis:"I do not believe that the Russell Wilson signing has any impact on what the Giants will do at No. 3 overall, but I could see them drafting an impact performer to improve this season's roster and waiting until Day 2 for the quarterback."
Geoff Schwartz, Fox Sports
Pick:Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado
Analysis:"Hunter addresses two issues for the Giants elite cornerback play and another weapon for Russell Wilson or their quarterback of the future. I firmly believe Hunter should be a full-time corner with a package of offensive plays. That is manageable, and it's how he was originally used at Colorado. By taking Hunter, the Giants add a supreme talent to a roster that needs an infusion of playmakers."
Connor Rogers, NBC Sports
Pick:Abdul Carter, Edge, Penn State
Analysis:"The Giants have a good edge rush duo in Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux, but Carter is simply too talented to pass up here."
Dan Parr, NFL.com
Pick:Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado
Analysis:"If the G-Men decide to go the trade or free agency route to find their next QB and manage to keep the No. 3 pick, they could find themselves able to land the Heisman Trophy winner, too, who could help them on both sides of the ball."
Josh Edwards, CBS Sports
Pick:Abdul Carter, Edge, Penn State
Analysis:"I do not believe that the Russell Wilson signing has any impact on what the Giants will do at No. 3 overall but I could see them drafting an impact performer to improve this season's roster and waiting until Day 2 for the quarterback."
Daniel Harms, The Draft Network
Pick:Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
Analysis:"Sanders will be able to handle the media stress of the New York market while providing the Giants with their future quarterback."
Chris Trapasso, CBS Sports
Pick: Abdul Carter, Edge, Penn State
Analysis:"This is a premier prospect and a premium position. Carter comes without any rumored maturity red flags, and can beat blockers in a variety of ways around the corner."
Vinnie Iyer, The Sporting News
Pick:Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado
Analysis:"The Giants will be prepared to consider QB, but after adding Jameis Winston and Russell Wilson, they may either table the position or take a developmental type later. Instead, they can land a dominant shutdown corner to fill a big defensive need and get a flashy offensive playmaker."
Gennaro Filice, NFL.com
Pick:Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado
Analysis:"When I last mocked Hunter to New York, longtime beat writer Paul Schwartz had just reported that the Giants see the two-way star as a cornerback. The New York Post scribe changed his tune this week, though, writing that the team's evaluation remains fluid. The current state of the roster makes CB the bigger need, but a potential duo of Hunter and Malik Nabers makes WR the bigger splash. Maybe you can have your cake and eat it too, Big Blue!"
Max Chadwick, Pro Football Focus
Pick:Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
Analysis:"His 49 big-time throws since 2023 tied for fifth, and his 1.6% turnover-worthy play rate in that span ranked second to only Bo Nix. Sanders also was recently seen playing catch with Giants star receiver Malik Nabers in the streets of New York."
Keith Sanchez, The Draft Network
Pick:Abdul Carter, Edge, Penn State
Analysis:"The Giants had the option to play the waiting game at quarterback, but wisely chose not to. Instead, they signed veteran quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Jameis Winstonboth clear upgrades over what they had last season. This move puts the Giants in a position to simply take the best player available. And that player is Abdul Carterthe best overall talent in the draft. Pairing Carter with Kayvon Thibodeaux and Brian Burns will create a terrifying front that will give opposing offensive coordinators serious headaches when it comes to protecting their quarterback."
Ryan Fowler, The Draft Network
Pick:Abdul Carter, Edge, Penn State
Analysis:"New York needs a long-term plan under center, but that could come via their second-round selection (34th overall) early on day two. Abdul Carter sits atop a long list of teams' boards as their top player in the class with DPOY potential. QB is a need, of course, but you simply don't pass on Carter because of the presence of other pass-rushers in-house if you're New York."
Mason Johnstone, The Draft Network
Pick:Abdul Carter, Edge, Penn State
Analysis:"You don't need to be a scout to see itAbdul Carter is the best edge prospect to come out since Aidan Hutchinson. His twitch, power, and ability to wreck plays in the backfield make him a nightmare for opposing offenses. He's a true disruptorsomeone who doesn't just pressure the quarterback but consistently ruins the timing and rhythm of entire drives. With this pick, the Giants walk away from draft night building one of the most feared defensive fronts in the NFL."
Garrett Podell, CBS Sports
Pick:Abdul Carter, Edge, Penn State
Analysis:"After missing out on the two first-round QB prospects in this class, the Giants settle for the 2025 class' top edge rusher."
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