The New York Giants needed a major win coming out of the 2025 NFL Draft—and for the first time in a long time, it feels like they actually got it.
After a brutal 14-loss season and a lot of long Sundays, general manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll finally flipped the script. It started by landing Abdul Carter at No. 3 overall, giving the defense a potential game-wrecker off the edge. And it didn’t stop there. The Giants made a bold move, trading back into Round 1 to grab quarterback Jaxson Dart and set a new course for the franchise.
Even after Day 1, the Giants stayed locked in, hammering away at key needs without overthinking it. They added Darius Alexander to beef up the trenches, snagged a hard-nosed runner in Cam Skattebo (who screams fan favorite), and grabbed Marcus Mbow—one of the best value picks of the weekend—to help rebuild the offensive line. Thomas Fidone II and Korie Black rounded it out with upside and depth late on Day 3. Top to bottom, it was the kind of draft Giants fans have been begging for.
And now? The experts agree. ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. gave the Giants an A- grade—and it’s not just lip service. The G-Men put together a draft that actually feels like it’s setting up something real, something sustainable.
Mel Kiper Jr. says Giants fans should feel “a lot better” about the future
Kiper didn’t waste any time backing the Giants’ approach, pointing to how they attacked needs without reaching and found real value at every turn:
“Giants fans should feel a lot better about their favorite team’s future. I liked what the team did Thursday night, getting edge rusher Abdul Carter early and then trading up to take QB Jaxson Dart.”
And he wasn’t just sold on the flash picks either. Kiper made sure to spotlight how the Giants nailed the middle rounds—something that’s burned this team in past drafts.
“I liked New York’s moves throughout the rest of the draft, too. It added Darius Alexander, a do-it-all defensive tackle who fits well next to Dexter Lawrence II, in Round 3. I expect him to make an impact as a rookie. Running back Cam Skattebo can punish defenses between the tackles. Marcus Mbow is my favorite guard in the class, and the Giants got him nearly two rounds later than where I had him rated. Watch – he’ll find snaps on offense in 2025."
Ultimately, Kiper summed it up about as cleanly as possible:
“This is a nice class from top to bottom. I won’t quibble too much with the front office’s preference for Dart over Sanders. Based on the quality of prospects in this group, it’s an A-.”
For a fanbase that’s lived through too many drafts that felt aimless or desperate, this one hit different. The Giants didn’t just check boxes—they found real building blocks. There’s still work to do, but for once, the future actually looks brighter. And judging by the early reactions, Giants fans aren’t the only ones thinking that.