The New York Giants enter the 2025 NFL Draft with options—real, legitimate options. Holding the No. 3 overall pick and sitting on a deep stash of Day 2 capital, General Manager Joe Schoen is in a position to either swing big or double down on value. And thanks to a more complete roster, there’s no glaring need forcing their hand. It’s best player available… and this time, they can actually do it.
That said, the decision at No. 3 is still a defining one. Three names are dominating the pre-draft buzz in East Rutherford: quarterback Shedeur Sanders, pass-rusher Abdul Carter, and do-it-all phenom Travis Hunter. Any one of them could be a cornerstone. Sanders would finally give the Giants a long-term quarterback plan. Carter would supercharge an already solid front seven. Hunter? He’s a two-for-one dynamic athlete waiting to be unleashed on both sides of the ball.
So with another critical first-round selection looming, we figured now’s the perfect time to look back at how the last 10 years of first-round picks have gone. Some have been hits. Some have been misses. And a few are still stuck in that awkward in-between. Here’s how they all stack up—ranked from worst to first.
Ranking every Giants first-round pick of the last 10 years
13. Deandre Baker (2019 - 30th)
Baker's NFL career started with promise as a first-round draft pick, but it was quickly derailed by off-field legal issues and an injury with the Chiefs. While he was able to resume his career after the charges were dropped, he never achieved the success that was initially expected of him.
12. Ereck Flowers, OT (2015 - 9th)
Flowers was drafted to anchor the left side of the line but never quite held up against NFL edge rushers. While his Giants tenure fell flat, a move to guard helped him carve out a solid second act in Washington.
11. Evan Neal, OT (2022 - 7th)
Neal entered the league with sky-high expectations, but injuries and uneven play have clouded his trajectory. Now entering a pivotal season, his future in New York feels anything but guaranteed.
10. Eli Apple, CB (2016 - 10th)
Apple’s Giants tenure was marred by inconsistency and locker room friction, leading to a midseason trade in 2018. He’s bounced around the league since, with highs like a Super Bowl run in Cincinnati—and plenty of Twitter-infused lows along the way.
9. Kadarius Toney, WR (2021 - 20th)
Toney flashed electric talent in New York but couldn’t stay healthy or consistent, prompting a trade to Kansas City. He made a Super Bowl splash with the Chiefs, but injuries, drops, and drama have defined a career still searching for stability—now as a free agent (while moonlighting as a rapper).
8. Deonte Banks, CB (2023 - 24th)
If Deonte Banks just looked like he wanted to play football, and then actually wanted to play football, he could be so much higher on this list. He has all the tools to be one of the best corners in the league, but so far, he's just failed to do so. He's shown some flashes, giving him the edge over the previous guys.
7. Daniel Jones, QB (2019 - 6th)
Daniel Jones finds himself in an interesting position on this list—smack dab in the middle. It's rather symbolic, honestly. Jones' ranking is both probably too high and too low. After all, the now Indianapolis Colt has given them their lone playoff win in the past decade. That four-year, $160 million extension ended up being the turning point, and now he’s trying to reset his career in Indianapolis.
6. Evan Engram, TE (2017 - 23rd)
Engram is a two-time Pro Bowler who has amassed 4,922 receiving yards and 25 touchdowns during his eight-year career. He's shown flashes of being a consistent offensive weapon, but too often he disappears. Drops plagued his career early, but he's turned into a reliable tight end.
5. Andrew Thomas, OT (2020 - 4th)
Andrew Thomas is frustrating. On one hand, he could be a top-five left tackle in the NFL. On the other, he is never healthy enough to showcase his ability. There's no denying the offensive line performs how Thomas performs. A rising tide lifts all boats—and when Thomas is right, he’s been the tide lifting this entire offensive line. The best ability is availability and until he can stay healthy, he'll have to settle for the five spot.
4. Kayvon Thibodeaux, DE (2022 - 5th)
Giants fans have seen the flashes. His 2023 season looked like a full-blown breakout with 11.5 sacks. However, a lackluster and inconsistent 2024 season has him in murky waters. He edges out Thomas at the No. 4 spot due to his availability and flashes of eliteness. If he can turn into a reliable double-digit sack guy, he could move up the rankings easily.
3. Malik Nabers, WR (2024 - 6th)
Is it too soon to put Nabers at No. 3? Well if it is, oh well. Nabers is the future of Big Blue. Much like Odell Beckham Jr. once was... except Nabers might even be better. Hot take, but not outlandish. After shattering records as a rookie, the second-year wideout will look to build on one of the most electric rookie wide receiver seasons in NFL history. 109 receptions. 1,204 receiving yards. Seven touchdowns. All with Daniel Jones, Drew Lock, and Tommy DeVito throwing to him. Impressive stuff.
2. Dexter Lawrence, DT (2019 - 17th)
Everything was saying do it—put Sexy Dex ahead of Saquon Barkley and crown him the best first-round pick of the past 10 years. While he certainly has a case, he ultimately lost out. Lawrence is arguably the best defensive tackle in football. He's seemingly good at everything. He's a three-time Pro Bowler who has really found his pass-rushing game. Lawrence will continue to put up a fight for the top spot.
1. Saquon Barkley, RB (2018 - 2nd)
Recency bias might have played a role here, but there's no denying Barkley's always had the star power that made him the best running back in the league last year. Heck, it was one of the single most impressive seasons from a running back in league history.
This past season alone separates him from the pack and serves as another obnoxious reminder of what the G-Men lost when Schoen let him head down I-95 to Philadelphia for nothing. Barkley is the Giants' best first-round pick of the past decade.