ESPN analysts go a full three rounds
Mel Kiper and Field Yates are offering yet another spin on what the New York Giants might do in the 2025 NFL Draft in a newly-released three-round combo mock draft. [Insider only]
Let’s get to the picks and my thoughts on each.
Round 1 (No. 3) — Abdul Carter, edge, Penn State
Kiper and Yates alternated picks. This is a Yates’ selection. He says:
The second-rated player on my board is just too good for the Giants to bypass, even with the QB concerns. They can wait until Day 2 to address that, especially if they aren’t sold on Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders. The Giants already have a quality edge rush group, but it’d become that much nastier with the addition of Carter, who had 12 sacks in 2024.
Valentine’s View: This, of course, is the pick most analysts have settled on for the Giants at No. 3. The news that Shedeur Sanders will work out privately for the Giants on Thursday has fueled renewed speculation that the Colorado quarterback could be the pick at No. 3 for New York.
If the Giants don’t take Sanders at No. 3, their path to getting a quarterback of the future in this draft becomes more complicated — much more complicated. Still, in a year where Joe Schoen and Brian Daboll are under pressure, getting a player like Carter who can help immediately makes sense. If they want one of the quarterbacks in the next tier, the Giants will just have to figure it out.
Round 2 (No. 34) — Tyler Shough, QB, Louisville
For background, Sanders went No. 9 to the New Orleans Saints in this scenario, and the Cleveland Browns traded up from No. 33 to No. 29 with the Washington Commanders to keep Jaxson Dart away from the Giants.
This is a Kiper selection. He says:
After going another direction in the first round, the Giants can land an experienced passer with good arm strength. Shough threw 29 touchdown passes last season, and he’d have the opportunity to learn alongside Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston.
Valentine’s View: The other choice here would have been Jalen Milroe. The range of potential outcomes for Milroe are broader than any quarterback in the class. The team that takes him could end up looking brilliant, or foolish.
Here, Kiper gives the Giants a quarterback who may not have the ceiling of Milroe, but is probably a safer bet to be a productive NFL quarterback. For me, Shough’s 2024 tape is second-best among quarterbacks in this class behind Ward. With the age and injury factors included, that doesn’t make him QB2. That does mean I think there is talent, and that he can be a starting NFL quarterback. At what level? Who knows.
One thing about this pick in this spot. It is a Round 2 selection made without giving up other draft assets. In my view, it would not stop the Giants from taking a Round 1 swing at a quarterback in 2026 if they were in position to do so and one they loved was available.
Round 3 (No. 65) — Tate Ratledge, G, Georgia
This was a Yates’ pick. He says:
No matter who is playing quarterback for the Giants, the protection has to improve. Ratledge has really impressive footwork and toughness.
Valentine’s View: A safe, solid pick at a position of need. Ratledge would likely compete for a starting job as a rookie.
Round 3 (No. 99) — Omarr Norman-Lott, DT, Tennessee
Another Yates’ pick. He says:
The Giants already have an elite interior presence in Dexter Lawrence II, but they lack a lot of depth. And Norman-Lott could contribute early in the pass rush (9.5 sacks in the past two seasons).
Valentine’s View: This is the right priority. Is Norman-Lott one of the top-tier defensive tackles in the class? Some will say yes. Some will say no. The Giants need young talent at defensive tackle, though, and if Yates felt he was the best player at that position on the board I won’t argue.
