New talent brings hope, but expectations remain low for Giants in 2025
Despite adding a potential franchise quarterback and bolstering their defense in the 2025 NFL Draft, the New York Giants continue to rank near the bottom in post-draft power rankings. National outlets remain skeptical about the team’s immediate outlook, though some analysts see glimmers of hope for the future.
Here’s where the Giants land and what analysts are saying:
FOX Sports – 28th
FOX gave the Giants credit for not panicking under pressure, calling the decision to take linebacker Abdul Carter “a no-brainer” and praising the front office for not reaching on a quarterback. The Giants moved up three spots from their previous ranking but remain in the bottom five.
USA Today – 28th (up from 32nd)
USA Today believes this draft will ultimately be judged by how quarterback Jaxson Dart performs in the long run. Though he’s not expected to start right away, Dart could be the key to unlocking the team’s future. But with the NFL’s toughest 2025 schedule, improvement might not show up in the win column.
The Athletic – 31st
The Athletic focused on Abdul Carter’s potential and the uncertainty surrounding Dart, who will learn behind veterans Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston. The pick of running back Cam Skattebo was also flagged as one that could quickly win over fans.
Sports Illustrated – 27th (up from 28th)
Sports Illustrated called the Carter pick imaginative and praised the Giants’ shift toward a no-frills, aggressive identity under head coach Brian Daboll. But it also stressed that the team needs to turn that energy into tangible results.
Sharp Football Analysis – 28th
Sharp Football also placed the Giants at 28th, pointing out that while the team drafted well on paper, quarterback uncertainty and a brutal schedule still make them a longshot to climb the standings this season.
Bleacher Report – 30th
Bleacher Report highlighted the pressure on both Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen, calling theirs the “hottest seat of any regime in the league.” While Russell Wilson is the starter for now, all eyes are on Dart, who was aggressively targeted in the first round. Analyst Gary Davenport wrote, “New York should be respectable this year, and Dart gives it hope for the future. We’ll have to wait and see if those two things are enough for Daboll and Schoen to return in 2026.”
NFL.com – 30th
NFL.com saw promise in the draft class, particularly in Carter and mid-round picks like Cam Skattebo and Marcus Mbow. The team’s future hinges on whether Dart can evolve into a quality NFL quarterback but the outlet wondered aloud if the Giants would eventually regret not waiting for the 2026 quarterback class. Still, there’s “an undercurrent of excitement” about what this young group might become.
Bottom line
The Giants may have taken a step in the right direction, but the national consensus is clear: they still have a long way to go. With a veteran quarterback at the helm and a rookie waiting in the wings, 2025 could be a transitional year and one that determines not only the fate of the season, but the futures of Daboll and Schoen as well.
What do you think? Are the Giants underrated or right where they belong?
