The New York Giants’ 2025 NFL Draft class is drawing a lot of love in the hours after the draft’s completion. Let’s check the early NFL Draft grades.
BBV voters
Here is a pick-by-pick look at the instant grades for each pick from our polls:
Round 1 (No. 3) — Abdul Carter, edge, Penn State
Grades: A – 86% | B – 4% | C – 4% | D – 3% | F – 2%
Round 1 (No. 25) — Jaxson Dart, QB, Ole Miss
Grades: A – 43% | B – 37% | C – 12% | D – 4% | F – 5%
Round 3 (No. 65) — Darius Alexander, DT, Toledo
Grades: A – 71% | B – 25% | C – 3%
Round 4 (No. 104) — Cam Skattebo, RB, Arizona State
Grades: A – 65% | B – 28% | C – 5% | D – 1% | F – 1%
Round 5 (No. 154) — Marcus Mbow, OL, Purdue
Grades: A – 73% | B – 24% | C – 2%
Round 7 (No. 219) — Thomas Fidone, TE, Nebraska
Grades: A – 17% | B – 40% | C – 35% | D – 5% | F – 3%
Round 7 (No. 246) — Korie Black, CB, Oklahoma State
Grades: A – 23% | B – 46% | C – 27% | D – 3% | F – 1%
There isn’t a single pick here that was disliked by more than a smattering of voters. Amazing!
Mel Kiper’s opinion carries enough weight that he deserves his own spotlight when discussing the Giants’ 2025 draft. He awarded the team a strong A- grade, emphasizing how crucial this draft was for head coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen. After enduring a 14-loss season, the Giants faced glaring problems across the roster, particularly at quarterback. Although the team brought in veteran Russell Wilson to lead the offense, Kiper isn’t convinced he represents much of an upgrade. The real question heading into the draft weekend was whether New York could finally find their quarterback of the future.
Giants fans, Kiper believes, have good reason to feel optimistic. He praised the team’s bold first-round moves, beginning with the selection of edge rusher Abdul Carter, whom he ranked as the No. 2 overall prospect. Carter’s dynamic talent could immediately strengthen a pass rush that was already considered a team strength. The Giants also made a decisive move to trade up and select quarterback Jaxson Dart. Although Kiper personally rated Shedeur Sanders higher, he acknowledged that Daboll and Schoen clearly saw something special in Dart.
In Kiper’s view, Dart, who he had ranked No. 28, brings considerable potential, even if he’s unlikely to have a breakout rookie campaign like Jayden Daniels. The Giants seem prepared to let Dart develop behind veterans Wilson and Jameis Winston, giving him time to adjust to the NFL’s pace before stepping into the spotlight, possibly by 2026. The team even sacrificed a 2026 third-round pick to move up and secure him, a decision Kiper hopes pays off.
Beyond the headline picks, Kiper was impressed with how the Giants handled the rest of the draft. He highlighted the selection of Darius Alexander, a versatile defensive tackle expected to pair well with Dexter Lawrence II and contribute immediately. He also praised running back Cam Skattebo’s physical, punishing style and noted that Marcus Mbow, his top-rated guard in the class, was a major steal for the Giants, falling nearly two rounds beyond where Kiper had projected him. Mbow, he predicts, will earn playing time on the offensive line by 2025.
Overall, Kiper described the Giants’ draft class as impressive from top to bottom and refrained from criticizing the team too harshly for choosing Dart over Sanders. The moves, he suggests, set the franchise on a much more promising path forward.
Pro Football Focus handed the New York Giants an A- grade, praising their strategic choices throughout the 2025 NFL Draft. With veteran quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston already in place, the Giants had the flexibility to target a top-tier talent early, landing edge rusher Abdul Carter from Penn State. Carter’s impressive 66 quarterback pressures ranked second in the FBS in his first full season as an edge rusher. Later in the first round, the Giants aggressively traded up to select quarterback Jaxson Dart. Despite mixed evaluations, Dart’s data points to starter potential, as he ranked in the 94th percentile on early downs and was the highest-graded passer in the draft class according to PFF.
In the third round, New York added defensive lineman Darius Alexander, a strong value pick ranked 49th on PFF’s Big Board. He posted a 90.1 PFF grade in 2024, one of the best among interior defenders. The fourth round saw the Giants select running back Cam Skattebo, ranked as the third-best RB and 51st overall player by PFF. Skattebo’s ability to thrive in both gap and zone schemes, along with his knack for forcing missed tackles, makes him a promising addition. In the fifth round, they snagged tackle Marcus Mbow, another high-value pick known for his strong run-blocking skills. In the seventh, tight end Thomas Fidone II and cornerback Korie Black were brought in, both viewed as excellent value selections at their spots.
Pro Football Network gave the Giants a B grade, highlighting that the ultimate success of the class will hinge on the development of Jaxson Dart. Although his selection came with some desperation from the front office, Dart’s athletic traits, resilience, and arm talent offer hope that he can evolve into a franchise quarterback. Outside of Dart, the rest of the Giants’ draft was considered excellent, with Abdul Carter, Darius Alexander, Marcus Mbow, and Cam Skattebo all projected to be significant contributors. However, Dart’s performance will ultimately define the legacy of this draft haul.
CBS Sports offered a glowing review with an A grade, describing general manager Joe Schoen’s efforts as a “home run” akin to Aaron Judge. Carter was praised as a potential All-Pro edge rusher, while Dart, despite some concerns about his college system, was seen as a risk worth taking under coach Brian Daboll’s guidance. The selections of Alexander, Skattebo, Mbow, and Fidone were all applauded for their versatility and upside, and seventh-round pick Korie Black was highlighted as a potential defensive playmaker.
USA Today also awarded an A- grade, suggesting that Abdul Carter might be the best overall player in the draft, drawing comparisons to Micah Parsons. They viewed the move to trade for Jaxson Dart as a smart investment for the team’s long-term future, especially since the presence of Wilson and Winston allows the Giants to avoid rushing Dart’s development. Running back Cam Skattebo was singled out as a pick that could quickly become a fan favorite due to his rugged playing style.
The Associated Press graded the Giants at B+, pointing to the selection of premier talent like Abdul Carter and the aggressive move to grab Dart as pivotal moments. They also praised the value picks in the middle rounds, such as Darius Alexander, Cam Skattebo, and Marcus Mbow, while noting that seventh-rounder Thomas Fidone II has the potential to emerge as a playmaker.
The New York Post echoed the positive sentiment with an A grade. They highlighted the achievement of securing arguably the draft’s best player in Carter and moving back into the first round to secure Dart, a quarterback personally selected by coach Brian Daboll. They also saw immediate impact potential from Darius Alexander and appreciated Skattebo’s fit as a power runner to complement Tyrone Tracy Jr.
Finally, Sports Illustrated noted that after a rough 2024 season, the Giants appear to be steering in the right direction. Carter was compared to stars like Micah Parsons and Von Miller, positioning him as a future game-changer alongside Brian Burns and Dexter Lawrence II. Though Dart isn’t a guaranteed success, working under Brian Daboll without immediate pressure to start gives him a better chance to develop. The magazine also highlighted Skattebo’s versatility and toughness as valuable traits for the team’s backfield.
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