It’s nearly right here. The 2025 NFL Draft is only a few weeks away.
Although groups received’t be on the clock till April 24, main choices are being made proper now, as franchises attend professional days, schedule top-30 visits and alter their massive boards.
Talking of which, it’s time for us to place collectively one other Giants-centric massive board. After zeroing in on Day 1 of the draft final time, we’re going to deal with days 1 and a pair of. As a reminder, the Giants have one first-round choice together with three Day 2 picks:
Spherical 1: No. 3
Spherical 2: No. 34
Spherical 3: No. 65
Spherical 3: No. 99 (compensatory choice)
To information us, we used The Athletic’s newest consensus massive board and paired that with a number of the Giants’ greatest remaining positions of have to zero in on potential Day 1 and Day 2 targets.
Let’s get to it.
Quarterback
Day 1 targets
Cam Ward, No. 13 on consensus massive boardMiami, 6 foot 2, 223 kilos
Let’s get this out of the way in which: Although the Giants signed Russell Wilson (one 12 months, $10.5 million assured) and Jameis Winston (two years, $8 million), that shouldn’t change something about their draft plans. Whereas it looks like Wilson will find yourself the Week 1 starter, he’s not the franchise’s long-term answer, and his contract displays that. Winston is only a high quality backup. Collectively, it’s a great plan for a Giants crew that entered the offseason with out many nice choices, however the draft nonetheless should be the focus. And there’s no higher quarterback out there within the draft than Ward … which is why he most likely received’t be out there to the Giants at No. 3.
Ward accomplished 67.2 % of his passes for 4,313 yards and 39 touchdowns towards seven interceptions final season. By way of numerous collegiate stops in very completely different offenses, Ward has displayed constant progress. That adaptability Ward has proven all through his profession is encouraging.
Now, can the Giants commerce up for Ward or hope he falls to No. 3? That appears unlikely with the Tennessee Titans giving all indications they’re going to take him at No. 1 — they despatched a large contingent to Ward’s professional day and haven’t actually delved into the veteran QB market. Perhaps it’s a smokescreen, but it surely feels unlikely the Giants wind up with Ward. And that brings us to …
Shedeur Sanders, No. 33Colorado, 6-1, 198 kilos
Sanders is an interesting possibility due to how divisive he appears to be. Some draft analysts actually like him, others not a lot. Simply how a lot his well-known father, Deion Sanders, has to do with that’s unclear. Regardless, most appear to imagine he’s the No. 2 QB within the draft behind Ward.
However the query in New York is: How would Sanders match below the town’s vivid lights? We would quickly discover out.
Giants common supervisor Joe Schoen beforehand highlighted the pluses of getting a dad who’s a soccer coach, so the youthful Sanders’ soccer acumen isn’t up for debate contained in the Giants constructing. In the meantime, The Athletic’s draft skilled Dane Brugler has highlighted Sanders’ ball placement and toughness as strengths however urged his common bodily traits will restrict his ceiling.
Day 2 targets
Jaxson Dart, Ole Miss, No. 57Ole Miss, 6-2, 226 kilos
Issues get sophisticated with the later-round QBs due to the general want for the place. For instance, might a prospect akin to Dart get pushed up into Spherical 1 due to how few top-tier QBs there are on this draft?
If the Giants did goal Dart on Day 2 (or the tip of Day 1), a significant plus could be that he might sit and study behind two longtime NFL veterans earlier than being thrust into the highlight. That’s massive for any younger QB however particularly for a participant akin to Dart, who performed in a university offense that doesn’t have quite a bit in widespread with what he’ll be requested to do within the NFL.
Nonetheless, there’s cause to love Dart’s upside. Brugler has written that Dart is a “pure thrower of the soccer with promising mobility and high-level aggressive intangibles.” These are the sorts of traits any crew would welcome into their QB room.
Jalen Milroe, No. 79Alabama, 6-1, 225 kilos
Milroe has had an inconsistent offseason, which appears to have impacted his standing as a prospect and the place he would possibly get picked. When issues are clicking for Milroe, he has drawn comparisons to Philadelphia Eagles QB Jalen Hurts. Like Hurts, Milroe is a robust runner who has good arm energy and a knack for creating explosive performs, which ought to attraction to a Giants offense that has struggled in that division. Final season, Milroe tallied 20 speeding touchdowns, 12 of which got here from 10-plus yards away. In New York, having the chance to start out his profession on the bench could be extraordinarily useful for Milroe, who will want time to regulate to the professional recreation and work on bettering his consistency as a passer.
Tyler Shough, No. 82Louisville, 6-5, 224 kilos
Schoen and offensive coordinator/assistant head coach Mike Kafka had been at Louisville’s professional day to get an up-close have a look at one of many oldest prospects within the class. Shough might be 25 years previous throughout draft weekend. There’s additionally a prolonged medical historical past to think about for the prospect who, earlier than his 12 video games final 12 months, had by no means performed in additional than seven in seven collegiate seasons. Nonetheless, with a formidable arm and soccer IQ, Shough might go larger than many individuals anticipate. For a lot of groups, it is going to all rely on in the event that they’re comfy along with his age and medical historical past.
Offensive linemen
Day 1 targets
Armand Membou, No. 8Missouri, 6-4, 332 kilos
The Giants didn’t make any main offensive line free-agent additions, as an alternative being content material to deliver the band again collectively. Whereas they reportedly pursued high guard Will Fries, he opted to go to Minnesota, and the Giants as an alternative re-signed 35-year-old Greg Van Roten. So, a guard (or actually any offensive line piece) isn’t out of the query within the first spherical — if the Giants commerce again.
On Membou, Brugler famous that some groups like him inside, however he’s more likely to be the highest deal with taken later this month. The Giants actually don’t want to fret about quick match a lot as including somebody along with his all-around talent set to their offensive line. Maybe he might play guard in 2025 earlier than kicking out to proper deal with, the place he made 29 begins at Missouri, if the Giants let Jermaine Eluemunor stroll in free company subsequent offseason. It bears repeating, the Giants most likely take into account Membou provided that they commerce again from No. 3. That appears unlikely, however we needed to account for the chance. Nonetheless, if the Giants actually wish to beef up their offensive line, it’s extra lifelike to take a look at the Day 2 targets.
Day 2 targets
Donovan Jackson, No. 35Ohio State, 6-4, 320 kilos
Jackson began 26 straight video games by means of two seasons at left guard after which continued enjoying the place to start out 2024. However after Buckeyes teammate Josh Simmons suffered a season-ending damage, Jackson moved to left deal with the remainder of the season and acquitted himself properly. So, he’s a prospect with confirmed positional flexibility and has compelled scouts to re-evaluate his greatest match. Once more, the Giants shouldn’t be too involved about greatest match. Merely including proficient younger linemen to their room needs to be the precedence.
However when it comes to the depth chart, the Giants have a left guard in Jon Runyan Jr., who’s signed by means of 2026, and a stalwart left deal with in Andrew Thomas. However Thomas has suffered accidents the final two seasons, which have derailed the offense. Maybe the Giants might draft Jackson, partly, as Thomas insurance coverage whereas permitting Jackson to seek out his greatest match with the crew throughout coaching camp.
Marcus Mbow, No. 61Purdue, 6-4, 309 kilos
One other prospect whose greatest place stays TBD. Based on Brugler, some groups wish to hold him at deal with, whereas others view him greatest as a guard and even heart. Brugler has him as a guard. Mbow began 32 video games with no consideration guard and deal with over his collegiate tenure, together with 12 video games at proper deal with final 12 months. Once more, the Giants’ future on the suitable facet of the road is way from sure with Van Roten, Eluemunor and Evan Neal (assuming New York declines his fifth-year possibility) all slated to be free brokers after this season.
Jonah Savaiinaea, No. 69Arizona, 6-4, 339 kilos
Savaiinaea completely performed deal with (left and proper) throughout his last school season, however Brugler believes his traits are greatest suited to a return to protect, which he primarily performed his first two seasons. As Brugler notes, his “bear-claw” palms and “sq. play model” might assist him turn into a top quality NFL starter. Once more, placing a younger, proficient participant within the pipeline behind Van Roten makes plenty of sense.
Tate Ratledge, No. 83Georgia, 6-6, 320 kilos
Brugler has written that the guard has the mandatory instruments for a decade-long professional profession, if he stays wholesome. Ratledge can be a “self-described ‘dirtbag,’” in order that persona ought to add some enjoyable to the place room. Ratledge might compete with Van Roten as a rookie and turn out to be the Giants’ succession plan on the place.
Defensive deal with
Day 1 goal
Mason Graham, No. 4Michigan, 6-3, 320 kilos
The Giants invested in veteran line of defense depth by signing Roy Robertson-Harris and Jeremiah Ledbetter. These investments had been desperately wanted, as accidents uncovered the crew’s lack of depth behind Dexter Lawrence final season. Nonetheless, neither veteran addition is a high expertise. Graham most actually is. Once more, this most likely solely is smart for New York if it trades again from No. 3, however Brugler sees Graham as an “explosive and relentless lineman” who “naturally performs from a low place to constantly win leverage by means of contact and lean on his agility to chase the soccer.” Lining him up subsequent to Lawrence might give the Giants a fearsome entrance.
The 2-time All-American led Michigan linemen with 45 tackles, together with seven for loss with 3.5 sacks, three quarterback hurries together with a blocked kick final 12 months. One detrimental on Graham is he has shorter arms, however a wrestling background is credited with serving to him perceive angles in confined areas.
Day 2 targets
Walter Nolen, No. 21Ole Miss, 6-3, 300 kilos
Whereas it’s unlikely Nolen drops to the early second spherical for the Giants, he additionally might make an ideal pairing with Lawrence as a projected 3-technique participant. Nolen recorded 48 whole tackles (25 solo), together with 14 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks. Brugler famous that Nolen creates “quick pressure and generally is a play-wrecker due to how shortly he penetrates gaps.”
Derrick Harmon, No. 27Oregon, 6-5, 310 kilos
Harmon tallied 27 solo tackles, 5 sacks and two compelled fumbles for the Geese final season. He’s a artistic participant who can win in a number of methods, in keeping with Brugler, who additionally referred to as Harmon one of many nation’s most disruptive inside defensive linemen final season. That’s precisely the type of participant the Giants want so as to add to their line of defense. Whereas Brugler famous that Harmon should turn out to be a extra constant finisher, that polish might come whereas enjoying alongside Lawrence and studying from revered coach Andre Patterson.
Tyleik Williams, No. 40Ohio State, 6-2, 322 kilos
Williams gave observers a scare when he fell whereas operating the 40-yard sprint throughout his professional day, however Williams later tweeted that he was OK and didn’t undergo a severe damage. That’s excellent news for the prospect and potential suitors. Brugler famous that whereas Williams wants “additional growth as a cross rusher, he’s certainly one of this class’ greatest run-defending linemen due to his recognition abilities and disciplined execution deconstructing blocks.” That may be a welcome addition to the Giants, whose run protection was putrid in 2024, permitting 2,316 yards, sixth most within the league.
Shemar Turner, No. 62Texas A&M, 6-4, 300 kilos
Turner tallied 20 solo tackles, two sacks and one compelled fumble final season for the Aggies. Per Brugler, Turner depends on “his preliminary twitch, fierce palms and combative mentality to be an element.” His tendencies draw consideration from officers, so he might want to “introduce extra self-discipline to his play model,” Brugler stated. Working with Patterson could possibly be useful to get a participant who might turn out to be a great 3-technique starter for the Giants.
Alfred Collins, No. 53Texas, 6-5, 320 kilos
Collins was initially seen as a “underachiever” whereas enjoying behind T’Vondre Sweat and Byron Murphy III, however he shined as soon as he obtained the chance to play extra constantly. “Along with his pure dimension, energy and coordination, he does an ideal job as a two-gapper, stacking, peeking and grounding ball carriers between the tackles,” Brugler stated. Once more, the Giants want serving to stuffing the run, and Collins might assist them do it.
Edge
Day 1 goal
Abdul Carter, No. 1Penn State, 6-3, 250 kilos
The Giants reportedly met with Carter after his professional day, and in the event that they both miss out on a QB or resolve to not draft one at No. 3, he’d be a tantalizing possibility for them. He’s broadly thought-about the No. 1 or No. 2 participant on this 12 months’s class. That’s largely on account of his explosiveness, which helped him earn Huge Ten Defensive Participant of the 12 months honors as he tallied 12 sacks and 24 tackles for loss in 16 video games. Whereas the Giants have made main investments at cross rusher, utilizing a first-round decide on Kayvon Thibodeaux in 2022 after which buying and selling for Brian Burns final offseason, including Carter would create a fearsome rotation.
Cornerback/Extensive receiver
Day 1 goal
Travis Hunter, No. 2Colorado, 6-0, 181 kilos
The Heisman Trophy winner seems to be a once-in-a-generation prospect who could possibly be an NFL star at each cornerback and huge receiver, which is what he was in school. What place he’ll primarily play within the NFL stays an open query, however my colleague Dan Duggan has heard the Giants view him extra as a cornerback. Would Hunter play only one place in New York? The Giants invested in a veteran CB, Paulson Adebo, in free company, and whereas Tae Banks struggled within the No. 1 nook function final 12 months, he was nonetheless a first-round choice in 2023. At receiver, the Giants prioritized the place in final 12 months’s draft, deciding on Malik Nabers, and he’s already shaping as much as be a star. In addition they re-signed Darius Slayton and have Wan’Dale Robinson within the slot, in order that they don’t want a receiver. But when a expertise akin to Hunter is accessible, properly, he may be too good to cross up.
Day 2 WR goal
Jalen Royals, No. 72Utah State, 5-11, 210 kilos
We’ll throw a Day 2 possibility right here on the off likelihood the Giants wish to hold including to the room regardless of the sources invested into the place the previous few years. Past the No. 6 spent on Nabers final 12 months, they’ve chosen Robinson with the No. 43 decide in 2022 and Jalin Hyatt with the No. 73 decide in 2023. Royals confirmed enchancment in his route operating at Senior Bowl practices, in keeping with Brugler, an encouraging signal that he hasn’t hit his ceiling but.
Operating again
Day 2 goal
Dylan Sampson, No. 67Tennessee, 5-11, 201 kilos
The Giants’ fifth-round funding final 12 months in Tyrone Tracy Jr. regarded good with the rookie delivering a robust debut season. The hope is that Tracy will take one other step, however that’s no assure. Devin Singletary is a strong veteran, however one other rookie might hold constructing out the room. If Sampson falls this far, the Giants might pounce. As Brugler notes, Sampson runs with “pressing velocity getting by means of the primary wave and opens up the sector along with his sharp lateral cuts.” The Giants have larger must be stuffed, but it surely’s a robust RB class, and that is the place having the compensatory decide could possibly be useful if the Giants wish to roll the cube on one.
(Photograph of Cam Ward: Todd Kirkland / Getty Pictures)
