The mock drafts are in peak season right now and the New York Giants, who hold the third overall selection in the 2025 NFL draft, will have a slew of top prospects to choose from.
They are dependent on the two teams selecting in front of them. Their ideal pick would be Miami quarterback Cam Ward, but if he is not selected by Tennessee at No. 1, it’s hard to see him slipping past Cleveland at No. 2.
In the latest mock draft from Josh Liskiewitz of Pro Football Focus, Ward and Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders go 1-2, leaving the Giants with a myriad of choices. In this mock, they chose Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter.
Key Stat: Carter’s 92.4 PFF pass-rush grade in 2024 ranked second among FBS edge defenders.
Bottom Line: It’s hard not to see some Micah Parsons in Carter, who not only wears the same No. 11 but also pops off the screen nearly every play due to being a rare caliber athlete. If he can get even stronger, he has All-Pro potential as a player worthy of a top-five pick.
The Giants, who met with Carter on Friday after the Penn State pro day, bolster their pass rush here with a solid player. Carter did not participate in the pro day due to a shoulder injury, but is confident he will be ready to play when called upon.
He is also confident that he is the best player in this draft, and he may not be wrong.
“I think that for a lot of reasons: my overall impact on the game, my versatility with being able to play multiple positions and most importantly, I step up when I’m needed the most,” Carter said, via The Athletic. “When crunch time comes around and you need somebody to make that big play, I make that big play.”
Carter has been mocked in all three of the top spots in this draft, but no one believes he’ll drop very far. He should hear his name called in the first half-hour come draft night.
Cleveland had a good meeting within this week and may simply grab him at No. 2 after the Titans wrap up Ward. That would put the Giants in a position to take Sanders. They’ll know more about Sanders next week after the Colorado pro day on April 4.