Ed’s 7-round New York Giants mock draft: QB deal leads to even more dealing

With the 2025 NFL Draft just days away, we have arrived at my final 7-round New York Giants mock draft. Some of you would, I know, say “mercifully arrived.”

I did this mock draft three different ways on Friday before deciding that this, admittedly somewhat out of the box, draft was the one I wanted to publish. There are so many ways this draft could turn out that while it hews as closely to accomplishing the goals I think GM Joe Schoen will enter the draft with, it turns out to be a “what I would do if I were the GM” draft.

Before we get to the picks, here are a few things I think I know:

• I think the Giants will take best player available at No. 3.
• I think they will do what they can, within reason, to get the quarterback they want after going BPA at 3.
• I think they will address both the offensive and defensive lines.
• I think they will draft a running back at some point.

Here is the mock, using the ESPN simulator.

Round 1 (No. 3) — Abdul Carter, edge, Penn State

There is an outside chance the Giants would take Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders here, but I do not think they will. While Schoen needs to find a quarterback of the future at some point, I don’t believe taking a quarterback who is not considered a blue chip prospect at No. 3, when you can take a player who is and who can help you immediately, is a better play. Especially under the circumstances Schoen and coach Brian Daboll find themselves in.

I am not worried about the fact that the Giants already have Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux. As Schoen said on Wednesday, “you figure it out.” Besides, has Thibodeaux been so good in his first three seasons that the Giants can’t do better? I don’t think so.

Dane Brugler of The Athletic ranks Carter as the No. 2 overall prospect. In his draft guide, Brugler says:

With only one season under his belt as a true edge rusher, Carter needs continued polish in his attack. His arrow is pointing sky high, though, because of his get-of burst, body twitch and competitive intensity. Despite having average size for run-game responsibilities, he regains his balance quickly after taking a jolt from blockers and plays with tremendous range to slip blocks and close in a flash. Overall, Carter is a disruptive presence, because of his explosive nature and how he mixes up his rushes to win with speed, force and a budding arsenal of moves. He projects as a 1A pass rusher, with a gift for consistently making the quarterback move his feet and making plays in the run game.

TRADE!!!

Round 1 (No. 18) — Jaxson Dart, QB, Ole Miss

Among the quarterback prospects after Cam Ward, I have always favored Dart. I also favor the idea of going and getting the quarterback prospect you want if at all possible rather than sitting around and hoping that one you want falls to pick No. 34 in Round 2 or pick No. 65 in Round 3.

My conviction to make a move like this was only hardened when NFL Network insider Daniel Jeremiah told me that the Giants going up to get the quarterback they want, Dart in his example as well as my mock, was a move he “would love” for the Giants, provided they didn’t have “to give away the farm to go get him.”

Jeremiah’s trade up was picks 34, 99 and 154 to the Denver Broncos at No. 20.

I moved from 34 to 18 in a deal with the Seattle Seahawks. The simulator would not let me match Jeremiah’s trade exactly. Instead of pick No. 54 in Round 5, I had to give up a 2026 third-round pick to make it happen. So, 34, 99 and a 2026 third.

By the way, Sanders was off the board already. Weirdly, the simulator gave him to the Miami Dolphins at No. 13. Oh, well.

Todd McShay of The Ringer has identical grades on Dart and Sanders. There are plenty of positives to Sanders, but in Dart I see a player with slightly better physical tools — size, arm strength, running ability. He also comes without the potential for drama.

I love the fact that Dart is the youngest quarterback of the top guys in this draft class, and yet played in 45 games with 41 starts. That is a lot of college experience, combined with a young player who should be nowhere near the top of his development arc.

If you haven’t, you should read Chris Pflum’s deep dive into Dart. Here is a snippet:

His profile is, overall, impressive and it’s easy to see why some teams could view him as the second-best quarterback in the draft.

He’s the youngest passer in the class yet has started 45 games and has improved each year he’s been a starter. Dart has very good athletic traits as well as a strong and flexible arm with good mobility. He’s able to scramble as well as run the ball, and is willing to be physical and take on contact when necessary. He’s well-regarded as a leader and reportedly the requisite competitive toughness to be a starter in the NFL.

Some teams could look for a quarterback with a quicker process and release. They might also be hesitant to spend a high pick on a player who might need a season on the bench to reach his ceiling. Some teams could also be concerned regarding his play at the end of the season and whether he’ll be able to translate to the NFL.

Other teams will value his athletic traits, arm strength and precision, and willingness to attack downfield. They could well view Dart as QB2 and worth a high pick, particularly if they’re willing to invest in his continued development and incorporate concepts with which he’s had success.

If a team wants to draft Dart, they’ll likely have to do so in the first round despite the risk inherent in the pick. He certainly has bust potential, though not as much as some quarterbacks in this class. However, he could also become a franchise quarterback if his future team is able to fully unlock his potential.

Round 3 (No. 65) — TRADE!!!

In an effort to recoup the draft assets I lost in the move to get Dart, I traded down five spots with the Carolina Panthers. I received picks 3.70, 4.107, 4.126 and Round 6 and 7 picks in 2026.

To be honest, I think that is a massive haul for moving down five spots. It more than makes up for giving up No. 99. Now, let’s get to what I did with all that booty.

Round 3 (No. 70) — Tate Ratledge, G, Georgia

A value meets need pick. I could have justified taking Ratledge five picks earlier. He is a player who could compete with or replace Greg Van Roten at right guard — the one position Schoen has said is open on the Giants’ offensive line. Here is Chris Pflum’s summary from his Ratledge Prospect Profile:

Ratledge projects as a starting guard at the NFL level, and considering almost all of his collegiate experience at right guard, that’s where he should play.

Ratledge was well coached at Georgia and doesn’t rely solely on his size and strength to overwhelm defenders. He has a solid technical foundation and understands how to rely on it to maximize his physical traits. That, of course, makes it readily apparent on those occasions when his technique fails and he loses leverage or makes an inaccurate block. Those instances are relatively uncommon, but they do show that there’s room for continued growth.

Ratledge may always be vulnerable to defenders with better natural leverage and explosiveness. That said, he also has the potential to be a good starter for a long time in the NFL.

The 6-foot-6½, 308-pound Ratledge carries a Round 2 grade from Brugler. He says:

NFL teams are searching for guards who can move defenders with their lower bodies and control them with their upper halves, and Ratledge did both consistently on his college tape, bullying defenders out of gaps to create running lanes. In pass protection, he has the smarts and anchor to maintain the integrity of the pocket, although he needs to improve his punch timing to stay centered versus pass-rush quickness. Overall, Ratledge is a self-described “dirtbag” with the contact power, competitive edge and functional movement skills to match up against NFL defensive linemen. He should compete for a starting role as a rookie and has the necessary tools for a decade-long pro career, if he stays healthy.

Round 4 (No. 105) — Omarr Norman-Lott, DT, Tennessee

This would be the earliest use of a draft pick on a defensive lineman in the Schoen era. If I had not used pick No. 34 to go get a quarterback, a move I feel good about, I might well have used it on a defensive tackle. I circle back to that position here.

Chris has Norman-Lott graded as early Day 2 value, and if he’s right that means getting the 6-1¾, 303-pounder here is a bit of a coup. Here is Chris’s projection:

Omarr Norman-Lott projects as an important rotational defensive tackle who has starting upside in the right scheme.

NFL teams might be wary of playing Norman-Lott in short-yardage situations due to his size. However, his sheer disruptiveness will make it hard for coaches to take him off the field in most situations. He’ll be at his absolute best as an interior defender in a one-gap defense that allows him to attack into the backfield. He’s an absolute handfull for individual linemen and is also able to split double-teams when attacking. His athleticism gives him solid versatility and he can play out of a variety of alignments, from 1 to 5-technique, but again, he shouldn’t be asked to two-gap or hold up against double-teams.

Teams that want to use defensive tackles as block eaters should probably look elsewhere, but any team that wants a penetrating interior defensive lineman should give Norman-Lott some serious consideration.

Round 4 (No. 107) — Damien Martinez, RB, Miami

Martinez might be my favorite running back in this draft class. Thank you to Matt Waldman of The Rookie Scouting Portfolio for really making me focus on Martinez. This is a 5-11⅝, 217-pound tone-setter who does not like to be tackled. When I watch Martinez run through and over tacklers — check out his long touchdown run against Louisville in the highlight reel below — I’m reminded of the Giants’ Attitude Era at running back of Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw. I love it!

In his draft guide, Waldman wrote:

Martinez is a dynamic runner in the disguise of a lunchpail volume runner. He’s a little of both. A smart, savvy, reliable, and powerful back who can work inside, outside, and in space, Martinez, gets my vote as one of the 3-4 safest running backs on the board. He has a grasp of a variety of run schemes and he manages the game well as a ball carrier, which is vital for starting in an NFL offense.

A lot of people are excited about the prospect of landing Omarion Hampton or Cam Skattebo, big backs who can earn volume and have elements of dynamic athletic ability in their games. The team that lands Martinez might be one of the wisest.

Sign me up.

Round 4 (No. 126) — TRADE!!!

Because I am a forward-thinking GM not worried about whether I will actually have a job in 2026, I sent this pick to the Bengals for fourth- and fifth-round picks in next year’s draft.

In reality, when you look at the trades at 65 and 126, what I did was make up for what I lost by moving up from No. 34 to get Dart. Instead of having my original pick at No. 99, I had No. 107. I also got No. 126 in the move down from 65 to 70, and I spun that for two mid-round picks next year that soften the blow of having surrendered that 2026 third-round pick.

Schoen has shown a willingness to manuever around the draft board. Would I expect him to make these exact moves? Of course not. Would I expect him to be on the lookout for ways to recoup what he gave up if he makes a move in Round 1 like I did for Dart? Absolutely.

Round 5 (No. 154) — Nohl Williams, CB, Cal

Nick Falato selected Williams in Round 4 of his 7-round Giants mock draft, which published on Saturday. Here is what Nick said:

Nohl Williams is a competitor with excellent press-man upside, good overall man coverage skills, and the spatial awareness, eyes, and reactive ability to thrive as a zone defender. He understands leverage and positions himself well when mid-pointing – he does not panic and his confidence is evident beyond his constant jawing. Williams’ ball skills and ability to attack the football are sensational.

Williams has solid hit-stick strength when coming downhill in the flat – he fires out of a cannon – and he was able to be more accurate with his tackle aiming points in space, which was a big problem in 2023. He must be more disciplined with his hands; Williams can get grabby and overly physical, but I prefer that to a pusillanimous defender. Williams is not backing down from anything and he has the upside to be a lockdown press-man cornerback.

Williams has a Round 2-3 grade from Brugler. He says:

His outstanding ball skills are reflected in his 2024 production: seven interceptions (No. 1 in the FBS) and 16 passes defended (No. 1 in the ACC). In coverage, Williams is a smooth mover in both man and zone and displays a natural feel for keeping eyes on the backfield action without sacrificing his coverage. With his compete skills, receivers know they are in for a dogfight, and he is one of this class’ best tackling cornerbacks. Overall, Williams will need to prove he can overcome his average long speed against NFL competition, but there are far more pros than cons to his game, including his awareness, ball skills and physical play demeanor. I think he’ll stay at cornerback, but his game is reminiscent of another former Cal corner, Cam Bynum, who has found NFL success at safety.

Value because he could come off the board earlier. Ball skills. Physicality. Potential to move to safety. I’m in for all of that.

Round 7 (No. 219) — Jake Majors, C, Texas

By now, you should know that I am always down for taking a developmental offensive lineman late in the draft.

John Michael Schmitz, a 2023 second-round pick, has been OK at center but has not really lived up to his billing thus far. Majors might be a developmental option who could step in eventually should the Giants decide to move on. He is a left-handed snapper considered a center-only prospect.

The backup options for Schmitz right now, Van Roten and Austin Schlottman, are not long-term replacement options.

NFL.com says:

Majors is a short-armed, center-only prospect. He’s technically sound and plays with poise and control. He’s athletic enough to lead the charge around the corner and can get into the second level. He has neutralizing core strength but that won’t mean much against NFL two-gappers who can strike and control him when singled up. He’s a coach’s dream with a high football IQ and operational toughness. He punches with inside hands and a well-balanced base to immediately stall early bull-rush tries. Majors is smart, tough and reliable with the potential to eventually become a starter.

Round 7 (No. 246) — Kaden Prather, WR, Maryland

A Maryland guy! As a former Terrapin myself, I am always partial to these guys. More importantly, though, I don’t think adding a developmental wide receiver is a bad idea. Prather is 6-foot-3½, 204 pounds and ran a 4.46 40-yard dash at the Combine.

Waldman likes his potential. In his draft guide, he says:

Prather’s game has enough refined elements that he could earn extended playing time as a contributor this year if the demand is there on the roster. Although Prather is a different style of player, his potential career trajectory reminds me some of Josh Palmer – a player who earns early playing time with potential for a bigger role during his second contract.

Prather will likely begin his career as a fourth receiver in a rotation and earn targets in open zones. If he works his way into a starting role, project him as a possession-plus receiver who can serve as a second or third option in an NFL passing game.

How did I do, Giants fans?