The New York Giants made a move that many had anticipated by selecting Abdul Carter with the third overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. In the lead-up to draft day, multiple major mock drafts — five within just 36 hours — had projected the Giants to take Carter before trading back into the first round to secure quarterback Jaxson Dart. Despite the predictability, the choice was far from routine in its implications.
The decisions to draft Carter and later Dart made a great deal of sense both from a football strategy standpoint and in terms of the Giants’ current roster needs. Carter brings elite potential as a dynamic pass rusher, while Dart possesses the raw tools that align well with the Giants’ long-term vision on offense. With a clear need to strengthen both their overall talent and secure a future quarterback, the Giants addressed key priorities with these selections.
Carter has already drawn significant buzz, emerging as an early favorite for Defensive Rookie of the Year honors. Comparisons to former Penn State standout Micah Parsons have fueled the excitement. In a poll conducted by Big Blue View, Giants fans were asked whether Carter would exceed the over/under line of 7.5 sacks set by Las Vegas sportsbooks. Unsurprisingly, given the enthusiasm surrounding him, the majority of fans took the “over.”
There’s good reason for that optimism. Carter boasts impressive traits, including a high pressure rate, excellent pass-rush win rate, explosive athleticism, and the ability to time the snap with aggression. These qualities suggest he’ll make an immediate impact off the edge. However, with established names like Brian Burns, Kayvon Thibodeaux, Dexter Lawrence, and rookie Darius Alexander also in the pass-rush mix, sack opportunities may be spread out. Even if Carter falls short of the sack projection, his disruptive presence alone could enable others to succeed — and fans are unlikely to complain if that’s the case.
While there’s considerable anticipation surrounding Carter’s debut, expectations for Jaxson Dart’s rookie season are more modest. Three out of four fans believe he’ll start fewer than two games in 2025. Though Dart offers enticing athleticism and arm talent, he’s seen as a developmental project rather than an immediate contributor.
The Giants appear to be following a patient quarterback development strategy. By adding seasoned veterans Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston to the roster, the team has created a buffer that allows Dart to grow without being rushed into action. This gives him the chance to acclimate to the professional environment, refine his skills, and learn how to prepare without the pressure of in-game mistakes potentially setting him back.
There’s still a chance Dart could see the field in low-stakes situations, such as mop-up duty or a meaningless Week 18 game. Ideally, however, the Giants hope to keep him on the sidelines in 2025, allowing him to follow in the developmental footsteps of quarterbacks like Aaron Rodgers, Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, Jalen Hurts, and Jordan Love. In short, the less fans see of Dart this season, the better — with eyes instead on a brighter future starting in 2026.
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