Ed’s 7-round New York Giants mock draft: Taking the Shedeur Sanders off ramp

To find their quarterback, this is the road the Giants might need to take

As a write this latest edition of my weekly seven-round New York Giants mock draft, Aaron Rodgers is still somewhere leaving the Giants, Pittsburgh Steelers and maybe the Minnesota Vikings twisting in the wind. Russell Wilson and Joe Flacco have come and gone from East Rutherford without signing contracts to quarterback the Giants in 2025.

The Giants still need a quarterback. In reality, they need multiple quarterbacks. They need a veteran who can help them win games in 2025, and a rookie who can help GM Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll convince ownership that the team’s future is in good hands.

With that backdrop, let’s get to this week’s mock draft. I am using the Pro Football Network mock draft simulator.

Round 1 (No. 3) — Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado

The Tennessee Titans took Miami quarterback Cam Ward with the No. 1 pick in this draft, and the Cleveland Browns passed on a quarterback for LSU offensive tackle Will Campbell at No. 2.

That leaves the Giants in a realistic scenario — do they take Sanders and be done with the “gotta get a quarterback of the future” debate? Do they take edge defender Abdul Carter or cornerback/wide receiver Travis Hunter and hope to find a way to get Jaxson Dart or Tyler Shough, QB3 and QB4 in this class, at No. 34 or via trade up?

I have well-documented misgivings about Sanders. I have written and talked about them. I decided, though, not to get cute here. Schoen and Daboll must have a young QB in place this year that ownership believes can carry the franchise forward. In my view, if they don’t someone else will probably be in the GM and head coach chairs in 2026.

Sanders isn’t perfect. I think we know, though, that the bright lights of the New York-New Jersey market won’t bother him.

Besides, even though the New York Jets signed Justin Fields I have doubts that they would let Sanders slide past No. 7, where they pick in Round 1. After passing on J.J. McCarthy, Michael Penix and Bo Nix a year ago, passing on Sanders and having him succeed with the Jets is another way for Schoen and Daboll to find themselves on the unemployment line.

Taking Sanders is a risk. In a normal year, he would not go this high in the draft. The Giants, though, might have to take the chance.

Round 2 (No. 34) — Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss

I hate to pigeon-hole myself into drafting a specific position at a specific point in the draft. I was hoping, though, to find help in the trenches — on either side of the ball — on Day 2.

Nolen seems unlikely to fall out of Round 1. He does here, and I take advantage.

PFN says:

Walter Nolen is an athletic 3-technique defensive tackle, which is a valuable asset in today’s NFL. Combine that with his leap in production in 2024 and his top-notch pedigree, and it’s not hard to see why many are high on him entering the NFL. Although only 21 years old, Nolen has shown improvement as a technician over the years, which has helped him make better use of his freakish combination of speed and power. He still has some more development to do, but he has shown that he’s coachable, and that’s an important trait for future success. With an NFL-ready frame and in-game athleticism that’s well above average for his position, Nolen figures to be an early-round selection in the 2025 NFL Draft. If he can continue to develop his plan as a pass rusher and work on his pad leverage a little bit, Nolen possesses a high ceiling at the next level. Gifted young prospects with production at a Power Four level don’t often fall out of the first round.

Other players considered: Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State; Grey Zabel, OL, North Dakota State; Donovan Jackson, G, Ohio State; Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan; Benjamin Morrison, CB, Notre Dame

Round 3 (No. 65) — Jonah Savaiinaea, OL, Arizona

Trenches, remember? The Giants did not find the big fish at guard they were looking for in free agency. I will put Savaiinaea into that mix and see what happens.

PFN says:

Jonah Savaiinaea projects best as an offensive guard at the NFL level, where his average range as a blocker due to a lack of top-notch length and agility can be better masked. Because of his abilities in pass protection, his ceiling is arguably higher inside, as well. A sturdy, well-built offensive lineman with a powerful anchor, Savaiinaea does a good job of keeping his pads low and his weight underneath him. Though he’s primarily experienced as a zone-run blocker, he has enough gap experience to project into that kind of system, too. He also has a strong upper body and keeps a wide base as a blocker. Savaiinaea’s inside-outside versatility should help him, as he could realistically step in as a starter right away at whichever position his NFL team needs him at the most. He’s a plug-and-play starter who could be a good tackle or a great guard, and it’s just a matter of which of the two you would prioritize from there.

Other players considered: Marcus Mbow, OT, Purdue; Darien Porter, CB, Iowa State

Round 3 (No. 99) — Dorian Strong, CB, Virginia Tech

This is the compensatory pick for the loss of Xavier McKinney in free agency. I use it to keep adding players to the young, revamped secondary. You can never have enough good coverage cornerbacks.

PFN says:

Dorian Strong is a skilled and instinctive cornerback who excels in man coverage but is also more than competent in zone coverage schemes. He possesses fluid hips, quick feet, and strong closing speed, allowing him to stick with receivers and disrupt passing lanes. Strong’s ball skills stand out, as he consistently tracks the ball and makes plays on it in contested situations. He plays with physicality at the line of scrimmage, using his length effectively to disrupt routes. Strong’s football IQ and anticipation enable him to read quarterbacks and jump routes but can also make him vulnerable if he mistimes the play or double moves. Additionally, adding strength will allow him to handle bigger receivers and further enhance his game as a lockdown defender.

Round 4 (No. 105) — Anthony Belton, OT, North Carolina State

Jermaine Eluemunor can be a free agent at season’s end. Free agent signees James Hudson III and Stone Forsythe are depth pieces and probably not long-term starters. Maybe Belton can take Eluemunor’s spot in 2026. I have said many times that the Giants need to get young, developmental players into the pipeline. I do that here.

PFN says:

Anthony Belton is a physically imposing offensive tackle with the strength and length to control defenders at the line of scrimmage. He excels in pass protection, using his size and footwork to keep edge rushers at bay while maintaining balance against power moves. In the run game, he generates solid push and plays with an aggressive mentality, helping open lanes for ball carriers. His awareness and ability to adjust to stunts make him a dependable presence on the line. However, he can improve his pad level and hand placement to maximize his power and consistency. With refinement, he has a significant upside.

Round 5 (No. 154) — Kaden Prather, WR, Maryland

Maybe Prather can push Jalin Hyatt for snaps as WR4. Besides, as a Maryland grad, how could I pass on the kid?

PFN says:

Kaden Prather, a Third-Team All-Big Ten Maryland Terrapins wide receiver, earned an invite to the 2025 Shrine Bowl as an under-the-radar prospect poised for greater national attention. Standing 6’3” and 210 pounds, Prather combines size with agility, excelling in spatial awareness and physicality to make contested catches. His ability to glide through space and adjust in the air could position him as an early Day 3 NFL draft contender.

Round 7 (No. 219) — Tyler Batty, edge, BYU

Let me acknowledge that this deep in the draft my knowledge of the players is somewhere from scant to non-existent.

PFN says:

Tyler Batty, a fifth-year senior from BYU, is a highly instinctual and physically robust pass rusher known for his intense awareness and anticipation. As an exceptional run defender with a long frame and powerful playing style, Batty offers NFL teams a reliable and high-floor prospect. His mauling mentality and strong foundation will enable him to contribute immediately at the professional level while further developing his pass-rushing skills.

Round 7 (No. 246) — Trevor Etienne, RB, Georgia

A running back to throw into the mix for a backup role.

PFN says:

Trevor Etienne is a dynamic and explosive running back with a strong combination of vision and burst. He runs with excellent balance and low pad level, but being slightly undersized means he sometimes struggles to break tackles and fight through contact. Etienne’s acceleration and agility make him dangerous in space, while his sharp cutting ability helps him evade defenders with ease. He possesses good hands as a receiving threat out of the backfield, adding versatility to his game. In order to elevate his impact at the NFL level, he will need to both add some bulk and work on his technique in pass protection.