The New York Giants ended their dismal 2025 season with consecutive wins, bringing their record to 4-13. They will select fifth in the 2026 NFL Draft, and Joe Schoen will be retained as the team’s general
manager. One reason for Schoen’s retention is the nucleus of young talent assembled on the roster.
Schoen built on his solid 2024 draft with another quality class in 2025. This, of course, came after a horrific 2023 effort and a bad 2022 draft class relative to the capital. Nevertheless, the Giants believe they have a bright future that the right leader can steer out of the mire of ineptitude. Here are the rookie grades from the Giants’ 2025 NFL Draft.
Abdul Carter, Round 1 (3rd)
There’s a lot to discuss with Abdul Carter, but one thing is for sure — he possesses rare quickness to win:
Carter played 844 total snaps, 507 of which came as a pass rusher, producing 66 pressures on those reps. For context, Myles Garrett recorded 67 pressures on 599 pass-rushing snaps in his second season. Carter is a very different player from Garrett. However, the total numbers are still noteworthy—though they come with a caveat: 15 of his pressures came against the Chargers and Raiders, two of the league’s weakest offensive lines, accounting for his two highest single-game totals of the season.
Carter is challenging to handle in a phone booth. He had 43 hurries and flashed take over the game ability at points throughout the season. Still, his inexperience was on display throughout the season. Carter found himself on his back often and was out of position a lot early in the season. Strength should be a focus heading into the off-season for the 22-year-old.
Carter’s lack of discipline was also a major storyline through the doldrums of the 2025 season. Mike Kafka held Carter accountable for missing meetings and being late. Carter was benched on the first drive of the Green Bay game, in Kafka’s first time leading the team. Two weeks later, Carter was benched again for the entire first quarter of a primetime matchup against the New England Patriots. I love that Kafka held Carter to account for his immaturity.
What I love even more is Carter’s response. Carter had a string of his most impactful games to end the season under interim defensive coordinator Charlie Bullen, who praised Carter’s practice habits and how he handled the adversity. Carter’s lethargy at the facility was the most significant disappointment of his rookie season, and it was rectified and exceeded in the final weeks of the year; he gets an A+ for that action, but not for the totality of the season.
2025 Stats: 43 tackles, 25 solo, 20 STOPS, 7 TFLs, 2 FF | 66 pressures, 43 hurries, 4 sacks.
Grade: B
Jaxson Dart, Round 1 (25th)
I would have signed up for this season from Jaxson Dart — most, if not all, of us would have from a character and performance perspective. Dart made explosive plays and led several opening-drive touchdowns, while also making high-level throws that showcased touch, pacing, and different arm-slots. New York’s offense finished 13th in yards per game (333.5 yards) and 17th in points per game (22.4 points per game), and that’s including three games of Russell Wilson (and two of Jameis Winston).
Dart was an asset as a runner and averaged a 5.1 big-time throw percentage, with a 3.5 turnover-worthy play rate. He finished with 24 touchdowns (15 passing and nine rushing). He forced 10 missed tackles with an average of 2.56 yards after contact. There was a lot of noise about Dart sliding and avoiding contact; he did a better job with it as the season progressed, but that narrative was overblown.
I was impressed with Dart’s rookie season, even if it was far from perfect. His footwork needs refinement, and while his tendency to scramble behind the line of scrimmage can lead to explosive gains with both his arm and his legs, it also invites catastrophic sacks—a true boom-bust approach.
Still, despite playing without his top weapon in Malik Nabers and with Darius Slayton busy shoving defensive backs and eating too much popcorn, Jaxson Dart held his own in Year 1, all while consistently saying the right things in front of the camera. Plus, the entire team seems to rally around Dart. Jaxson Dart exceeded everyone’s expectations except his own — there’s something to be said about that.
2025 Stats: 2,272 passing yards, 63.7%, 6.7 YPA, 15 PTD, 5 INTs | 487 rushing yards, 5.7 YPA, 9 TDs, 5 fumbles
Grade: A
Darius Alexander, Round 3 (65th)
Alexander started behind the eight-ball as an older rookie coming out of a smaller program (Toledo). He missed much of OTAs and mini-camp, and it showed throughout training camp and preseason. It appeared as he went from being a big fish in a small pond to still a big fish, but in the abyss of the Mariana Trench. Defensive line coach Andre Patterson spoke with assurance about Alexander’s development, and we did see positive strides through the season, specifically as a pass rusher.
Alexander started two of 16 games, playing 394 total snaps, 258 of which were as a pass rusher. His snap counts rose throughout the year, and he played 44 snaps against the Cowboys in Week 18. Overall, he showed potential as a pass rusher, but his run defense remained a work in progress, especially when it came to absorbing double-teams. He was adequate, but we must see a big jump in play in year two from a top-70 pick.
2025 Stats: 20 tackles, 12 STOPs, 4 TFLs | 15 pressures, 9 hurries, 3.5 sacks, 1 pass defensed
Grade: C
Cam Skattebo, Round 4 (105th)
Cam Skattebo was the heart and soul of the team before a devastating ankle injury ended his season in Philadelphia. He started five of eight games and earned the starting spot, along with Jaxson Dart, against the Chargers in Week 4 after missing much of training camp and preseason with a hamstring injury.
Skattebo averaged 3.04 yards after contact and was a tone-setter for the offense; in just 101 rushing attempts, Skattebo forced 22 missed tackles. He forced 101 missed tackles in his senior season at Arizona State. Not only is he agile, difficult to track, and handle — due to his contact balance and low center of gravity — but he can also run through the face of opponents. Skattebo’s rehab will be essential for his availability this off-season, but he was a homerun, culture-setting, selection on day three.
2025 Stats: 410 rushing yards, 4.1 YPA, 5 ruTD | 207 RECyds, 24 rec, 8.6 Y/Rec, 2 RecTD
Grade: A
Marcus Mbow, Round 5 (154th)
Marcus Mbow started three games: two at left tackle after Andrew Thomas’ hamstring injury against Minnesota, and one against San Fransciso at right tackle. I love his versatility — it’s essential in today’s NFL for backups — but I think Mbow is most comfortable at right tackle (where he played at Purdue); he only saw 58 snaps this season. He surrendered four pressures and a sack at right tackle. In total, he had 26 pressures surrendered and three sacks, with 12 hurries and three penalties.
There’s a lot to appreciate about Mbow. A phenomenal athlete at 6’5, 300 pounds, with true developmental potential at all five positions along the offensive line. Mbow must get stronger in the off-season. His anchor and ability to sustain blocks in the run game are contingent on his adding some sand to his pants. Still, he’s an asset the Giants can hope to develop, albeit I wouldn’t feel comfortable with him being option one to replace Jermaine Eleumunor if the Giants fail to resign the veteran.
Grade: B-
Thomas Fidone II, Round 7 (219th)
Thomas Findone II played a total of 14 offensive snaps in the regular season with zero targets. He did add 80 snaps on special teams, including one tackle. The 6’6, 250-pound tight end was always a developmental player with athletic upside. He showcased this in the preseason, where he secured eight of nine passes for 64 yards and a touchdown. He was a seventh-round pick that I believe can have a role on the team in 2026.
Grade: C+
Korie Black, Round 7 (246th)
Korie Black had a strange rookie season. He wasn’t seeing many snaps throughout training camp and was relegated to special teams, especially as a gunner. He then accepted an offer from the Jets to join their practice squad after the Giants attempted to stash him on their own; this action would typically engender antipathy between the two parties, for it was a lateral decision by Black.
Still, Joe Schoen did not allow that decision to affect what he believed was best for the team at a position the Giants struggled to manage. Tae Banks was horrible in run defense this season, and Black replaced him more than once, as well as Rico Payton. Black played 184 total snaps, with 13 tackles and four stops, while allowing a high 83.3% reception rate (12 of 10) with one pass defended and three touchdowns surrendered. Black is an incredible athlete, but he still needs technically work. He will compete for a role on special teams next season, while attempting to earn snaps on defense.
Grade: C-
Final thoughts
The overall evaluation of this draft class will ultimately hinge on Jaxson Dart’s success. The Giants did not give up an overwhelming amount of capital to move up and select Dart at No. 25; the 34th and 99th picks, along with a 2026 third-rounder, will be inconsequential if Dart continues to develop into the franchise’s long-term answer at quarterback. Alongside him, Abdul Carter also looks capable of becoming a true cornerstone—one of the cinder blocks helping lay the foundation for a future that Giants fans would love to see come to fruition.
Skattebo is another piece who could help transition the Giants from an embarrassment to the respected franchise they once were, provided he returns to form. Darius Alexander and Marcus Mbow project as role players who showed flashes during their rookie seasons but must take meaningful steps forward to solidify their roles. Thomas Fidone II and Korie Black are high-upside swings taken late in the draft, with athletic traits worth betting on.
Overall, this draft class looks solid. The process — acquiring Jaxson Dart while still landing Carter in the first round — was sound. After one season, the top two picks, along with a healthy Skattebo, offer legitimate optimism, while the rest of the class will be judged with time.
Overall Grade: B+
