East Rutherford, NJ—-After a disappointing 3-14 finish to the 2024 season, the New York Giants entered the NFL Draft determined to reshape their roster—and they wasted no time making noise.
With the third overall pick, the Giants selected Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter, a dynamic defender they believe can become their next great pass-rushing force. But they weren’t done yet.
Later in the night, New York traded back into the first round to draft Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart at No. 25, making a bold move in their search for a long-term answer under center.
To secure Dart, the Giants sent the No. 34 and No. 99 picks along with a 2026 third-rounder to the Houston Texans. The 21-year-old QB now joins a veteran quarterback room that includes Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston.
“He’s in a great position to develop,” said general manager Joe Schoen. “With experienced guys ahead of him, Jaxson won’t be rushed. This is an ideal learning environment for a young quarterback.”
Carter joins a fearsome defensive unit already featuring Kayvon Thibodeaux, Dexter Lawrence, Brian Burns, and Bobby Okereke. The pass rush, already a strength, looks even more intimidating with Carter in the mix.
“We’re going to dominate,” Carter said. “I’m excited to grow with these guys and wreak havoc together on the field.”
Shortly after selecting Carter, Schoen announced the team would pick up Thibodeaux’s fifth-year option, silencing trade rumors surrounding the former first-rounder.
The Giants had long been linked to Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders, conducting multiple meetings, workouts, and visits with him throughout the pre-draft process. However, Schoen said the decision to draft Dart was made earlier in the week.
“Ultimately, when we stacked our board, Jaxson was the guy,” said Schoen. “We’re thrilled to get him.”
Dart, who threw for 4,279 yards and 29 touchdowns last season while leading Ole Miss to a 10-3 record, said he felt a connection with head coach Brian Daboll throughout the process.
“Coach Daboll and I had great conversations,” Dart said. “Even when the texts slowed down before the draft, I had a feeling this was the spot.”
Team owner John Mara had publicly declared finding a franchise quarterback as the team’s top priority this offseason, and now the Giants believe they’ve found that player in Dart.
While Dart may be the quarterback of the future, Carter could be the face of a revitalized defense. The former linebacker transitioned to edge rusher last season and racked up 12 sacks, drawing comparisons to Dallas Cowboys star Micah Parsons for his versatility and explosiveness.
With a growing stable of pass rushers, the Giants are aiming to return to the defensive dominance that defined their Super Bowl-winning teams of the past.
“We feel like we’ve landed two cornerstone players tonight,” Schoen said. “It’s a big step forward for our team.”
2025 New York Giants Draft Order:
- Round 1 – No. 3: Abdul Carter, Edge, Penn State
- Round 1 – No. 25 (from Houston): Jaxson Dart, QB, Mississippi
- Round 3 – No. 65
- Round 4 – No. 105
- Round 5 – No. 154 (from Seattle)
- Round 7 – No. 219
- Round 7 – No. 246 (from Buffalo)
