The 2025 NFL Draft may have given the New York Giants the foundation for their next decade.
Rookies Jaxson Dart and Abdul Carter have been voted finalists for the AP Offensive Rookie Of The Year and Defensive Rookie Of The Year, respectively.
It was a surprise when Dart was named the Giants’ starting quarterback in Week 4 against the Los Angeles Chargers. However, he quickly set the NFL on fire with upset wins over the Chargers and then the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday Night Football two weeks later. Dart finished the season with 24 total touchdowns to just six turnovers (five interceptions, one fumble lost), and his nine rushing touchdowns is second only to Cam Newton in the Super Bowl era.
Dart was also the most efficient rookie quarterback in the NFL, finishing 15th among qualifying quarterbacks in EPA+CPOE composite scores. Dart finished 7 spots ahead of Tyler Shough (22nd) and 18 spots ahead of Cam Ward (33rd).
Abdul Carter had an uneven rookie year. He flashed pure dominance from his first snaps, but didn’t get his first full sack until Week 13 against the New England Patriots. Carter’s raw talent was tantilizing, and he finished 8th among all pass rushers in total pressures with 66, and had the most quick pressuers (2.5 seconds or less) in the NFL with 44. Carter has the sixth-best Pass Rush Win Rate in the NFL, sitting nicely between Will Anderson Jr. (fifth) and Myles Garrett (seventh), and He led all pass rushers in an average 2.41 seconds to pressure.
Carter came alive after being benched twice by interim head coach Mike Kafka and turned his potential into production over the final month of the season. He had six tackles for a loss, 2.5 sackes, 10 QB hits, two forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery over the final four games.
Dart and Carter would become the fifth pair of teammates to win the award if both are named Rookie Of The Year for their respective side of the ball.
The winners will be announced at the NFL Honors on February 5th.
Defensive Rookie of the Year
- Abdul Carter (EDGE, New York Giants)
- Nick Emmanwori (S, Seattle Seahawks)
- James Pearce Jr. (EDGE, Atlanta Falcons)
- Carson Schwesinger (LB, Cleveland Browns)
- Xavier Watts (S, Atlanta Falcons)
Offensive Rookie of the Year
- Jaxson Dart (QB, New York Giants)
- Emeka Egbuka (WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
- TreVeyon Henderson (RB, New England Patriots)
- Tetairoa McMillan (WR, Carolina Panthers)
- Tyler Shough (QB, New Orleans Saints)
See More:
