There are several different ways to build a contender in the NFL, but for teams like the New York Giants, it usually starts with the draft. The more a team hits on its young core, the more freedom it offers the front office to build around them – whether that be through free agency or on the trade market.
Good front offices find and nurture talent wherever they can, but it takes vision, patience, and the right coaching staff to tap into that development.
Related: Grading every Giants 2025 draft pick (with 1 bold prediction for each)
For the better part of a decade, the G-Men were stuck in a cycle of overpaid veterans, busted draft picks, and false hope. Not anymore. Joe Schoen and Brian Daboll are finally rewriting the narrative.
Joe Schoen has been collecting young talent like infinity stones
Big Blue is in the best spot it’s been in over a decade, as the team boasts a surplus of young building blocks across the roster. From Malik Nabers and Jaxson Dart to Abdul Carter and Tyler Nubin, the foundation is set in stone in the Big Apple.
And the national media is finally starting to catch on. In ESPN analyst Aaron Schatz’ ranking of all 32 teams by under-25 talent, the Giants came in at No. 4 — trailing only the Texans, Commanders, and Seahawks.
This means that Schatz sees New York’s young core as superior to teams like the Lions, Chargers, Bears, and Patriots.
Nabers is the obvious headliner. He was drafted No. 6 overall to be the guy in the offense, and has continued to shine in camp. Even after dealing with a shoulder injury earlier this week, he is looking better than ever.
He had an impressive connection on a deep ball with Russell Wilson early Thursday morning, and it’s safe to say the injury concerns are mostly dissipated. And both Wan’Dale Robinson (24) and Jalin Hyatt (23) have flashed their rapport with the 10-time Pro Bowler in camp to keep providing the offense some juice.
Even in a sore spot alongside the offensive line, there is still promise. Evan Neal is only 24, so he has plenty of opportunity to turn his career around following his move to guard. The youth movement doesn’t stop on offense. In fact, it may be even more promising on the defensive side of the ball.
On the defensive line, it’s hard to ignore the influx of speed and physicality. Alongside an absolute game-wrecker in the 21-year-old Carter on their rookie deal on the defensive line is Kayvon Thibodeaux, who won’t turn 25 until December. And even Brian Burns and Dexter Lawrence II are only 27.
The revamped secondary has sent a strong message as well. Schoen spent a pretty penny to sign Paulson Adebo and Jevon Holland, both of whom are only 25 themselves. Throw in two 24-year-olds in Deonte Banks and Nubin, plus an elite nickel corner in 23-year-old Dru Phillips, and defensive coordinator Shane Bowen’s unit is flowing with youth, speed, and upside.
The G-Men now have legitimate players developing fast all over the roster. That's not just rare — that's the kind of core teams spend years trying to piece together. Schoen and Daboll’s jobs might still be in jeopardy, and this team probably isn’t playoff caliber (yet), but you can picture the ceiling.
Big Blue might not be hoisting a Lombardi Trophy anytime soon, but they’ve finally built a foundation with under-25 youth and upside to be the nucleus of the future.