7-Round Mock Draft for the New York Giants: Nick Falato’s Take

The New York Giants and the NFL community are approaching the 2025 NFL Draft in just a few days. Joe Schoen and his team possess the third overall pick in a draft highlighted by a consensus Big Three: Miami quarterback Cam Ward, Colorado WR/CB Travis Hunter, and Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter.

The Giants’ need for a long-term quarterback solution aligns with the availability of Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders, possibly facilitating an interesting connection between the two.

It appears that Tennessee is leaning towards selecting Cam Ward at the first pick, while Browns’ general manager Andrew Barry recently likened Hunter to Dodgers’ sensation Shohei Ohtani. The Giants, positioned at three, have the opportunity to influence the draft direction; Schoen could choose Carter, Sanders, or even trade down — these seem to be the most viable options if Ward and Hunter are unavailable.

However, I personally refrain from conducting mock drafts during draft season. The mock draft presented below reflects my thoughts based on the circumstances at hand. While trades are possible, I utilized Pro Football Focus’ simulator for this. This is the only mock draft I prepared, so let’s delve into the strategy.

Round 1, Pick 3: Abdul Carter, Edge, Penn State

The board unfolded precisely as anticipated: Ward and Hunter were taken, leaving Carter available for the Giants. I considered trades and Shedeur Sanders but ultimately opted for a top-tier pass rusher to enhance the Giants’ front seven, providing Shane Bowen with a third Pro Bowl-caliber talent to pressure quarterbacks. Here’s my evaluation of Carter’s skill set:

Few players in recent drafts exhibit the pass-rushing potential of Abdul Carter, one of many reasons he’s compared to Micah Parsons. Carter is explosively quick, possessing a NEO like ability to evade contact and maneuver around offensive tackles’ punches. He maintains forward momentum with extraordinary control, effectively bursting up the rush arc. Few players can exploit the high side like Carter, and even fewer utilize their feet and hands in tandem as he does.

He quickly aligns his hips towards the pocket and lowers himself to dodge contact; even when engaged, he adeptly remains balanced or adjusts his body to minimize the force of impacts. Carter is formidable in tight spaces, showcasing a remarkable inside spin move and noteworthy speed to win against either shoulder. Although he also displays power rush techniques, he currently leans towards finesse, yet this finesse often leaves offensive linemen vulnerable to his inherent power due to his raw talent.

Carter’s role is primarily as an edge rusher leveraging his elite physical attributes. Additionally, he can be valuable as a linebacker for an innovative defensive coordinator, ideally utilized in stacked alignments to navigate toward the football with minimal interference. His ability to read and react is highlighted by his exceptional burst, though he did struggle at times to correctly judge his path into the backfield as a linebacker prior to 2024.

I hesitate to claim Carter is fool-proof, despite my admiration for his film and abilities. There exists a likelihood that he could be targeted on early downs, potentially exposing him against stronger, more physical teams upfront. Conversely, he has the capacity to grow into his physique, is phenomenally athletic, and has just one year of experience as an EDGE. While a defensive coordinator may need to devise strategies if Carter faces challenges defending the run, his college performance doesn’t indicate a liability, merely uncertainty; his pass-rushing skills are exceptional. This is a consideration but not a dealbreaker.

If Carter hones his block-shedding skills and reading offensive intentions, while also adding some strength, he will become a significant asset as a run defender; these improvements are attainable given his potential. Few players are in the discussion for the first overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, but Carter’s inclusion is warranted, and the reasoning is clear.

Round 2, Pick 34: Tyler Booker, OG, Alabama

Booker fell to pick 34, and I confidently selected him for the Giants. Their need to strengthen the offensive line long-term aligns with Booker’s skill set, bolstering the right side of the line. The former Crimson Tide captain is a reliable player with experience at left guard and also has played 167 snaps as a right guard in his freshman year.

Booker enables the Giants to transition Greg Van Roten to a versatile interior lineman role, provided Booker is comfortable returning to right guard. Van Roten might even shift to center if John Michael Schmitz struggles at that position. I weighed selecting Ohio State defensive lineman Tyleik Williams and guard Donovan Jackson but ultimately proceeded with Booker. Here’s a summary of his play:

Tyler Booker is a technically adept mauler with a fierce finishing mentality that could captivate Mortal Kombat fans. He excels as a run blocker and pass protector, demonstrating reliability, strength, and intelligence. Booker dominates the line of scrimmage when down blocking and maintains enough balance/control to pull effectively despite less-than-ideal athleticism. With violent 11-inch hands, long 34 ½” arms, and remarkable strength, he can dictate plays and displays impressive mirroring ability.

Booker is a solid prospect who may lack elite athletic traits, as evidenced by the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. Nevertheless, few players share his footwork/framing, upper-body strength/hip-torque, patience/timing, and strong hands. There’s a lot to appreciate about Booker’s potential, and he should be a starter from day one. The Giants would be fortunate to grab Booker at pick 34, as he would serve as a cornerstone on their offensive line for years to come.

** TRADE **

The New York Giants traded the 65th selection to the Jacksonville Jaguars:

Jaguars receive: 65th selection

Giants receive: 70th selection, 107th selection

Round 3, Pick 70: Alfred Collins, DL Texas

The Giants enhance their run defense by selecting one of the top run stoppers in the class. Collins can effectively two-gap, play a gap-and-a-half, and absorb space in the trenches alongside Dexter Lawrence. New York permitted the 26th most rushing yards per game (136) last season, prompting Shane Bowen to adapt his defensive strategies after Dexter Lawrence was placed on Injured Reserve.

The days of the Giants maintaining a deep rotation in the trenches are long gone. This was a pressing need last season, and it remains critical heading into the draft. Collins would instantly become the second-best defensive lineman on the Giants, and the overall strength of Bowen’s unit would greatly improve with the additions of Carter and Collins. Here’s my analysis of Collins’ play:

Alfred Collins is an elite run defender, showcasing impressive play strength and anchoring capabilities. He can easily absorb double-teams, adeptly finding gaps to split them, while also demonstrating the intelligence and hands to evade various blocks – he is nearly indomitable in run situations and possesses a rare NFL physique with notable length.

While Collins excels in run defense, he has limitations as a pass rusher. He exhibits effort but struggles to string moves together or effectively counter opponents. His bull rush and power techniques are mediocre, and his superior instincts in run scenarios have not translated to his pass-rushing profile due to limited athletic traits. Nevertheless, few run defenders are as technically proficient and dependable as Alfred Collins, rendering him a solid day-two asset for any team.

Round 3, Pick 99: Tyler Shough, QB, Louisville

Schoen and Brian Daboll have closely monitored Shough this offseason. The seven-year college athlete enjoyed his healthiest season in 2024 — the only one with Louisville — throwing 23 touchdowns to just six interceptions, with a 5.1% Big Time Throw Rate and a 1.8% Turnover Worthy Play Rate. If the Giants are genuinely interested in Shough, they likely won’t let him slip to pick 99, but we’re navigating the simulator here! I appreciate his arm talent and believe there’s considerable upside with the soon-to-be 26-year-old. Here’s my evaluation of his performance:

Tyler Shough is a dynamic quarterback with good field vision and a strong arm capable of making all essential NFL throws. His arm talent shines, enabling him to add touch and pacing across the field – the ball emanates from his hands with remarkable velocity when necessary. He expertly adjusts his arm angles to throw through traffic and has multiple red zone touchdowns that showcased his awareness by hitting receivers on the backside.

Shough isn’t hesitant to exploit vulnerabilities in soft zones and effectively leads receivers open against man coverage. He’s adequate athletically for his size, though he may need to improve in avoiding pressure at the NFL level. Overall, there’s a lot to admire concerning Tyler Shough’s arm talent. However, his age and injury history are factors, though all his injuries comprised bone fractures rather than ligament/tendon tears, which is a positive note.

In summary, Tyler Shough possesses numerous traits worthy of consideration; had he been younger and entirely healthy, he would garner more discussion – but that isn’t the case! Nevertheless, I would be eager to capitalize on his 2024 performance at a value.

Round 4, Pick 105: Kyle Williams, WR, Washington State

Williams is my guy. Among the most thrilling wide receivers in this draft class, I believe he’s underappreciated and unlikely to still be available on day three. While Williams may not be the largest and has occasionally dropped some frustrating passes, he is an agile YAC machine who plays bigger than his 6-foot, 186-pound frame might suggest. I value good football players — and Williams qualifies as one, making him a great pick at 105. He offers the Giants insurance should they choose to let Wan’Dale Robinson walk, while adding another dynamic weapon for the offense in 11 personnel configurations. Here’s my assessment of his game:

Kyle Williams is an incredibly quick and explosive separator with genuine YAC ability and a notable ceiling as a route runner. While some aspects of his release and route mechanics could benefit from refinement, his body control and athletic attributes provide a high floor. His film showcases impressive downfield catches and game-breaking runs, although drop issues persist – totaling 21 throughout his career.

Williams is a joy to watch and has the potential to be a big playmaker for any offense. His strength surpasses what his frame might indicate, his routes are crafted to outmaneuver defenders, and he can align both outside and inside. He overcame subpar quarterbacking all season yet still produced respectable stats, frequently being open downfield without being targeted. Williams excels in foot races, deftly eliminating angles in open space, and comprehensively understands how to uncover against both man and zone coverage. He’s an exciting prospect who will likely have numerous plays designed specifically for him at the NFL level and will provide much more than that.

Round 4, Pick 107: Nohl Williams, CB, Cal

Similar to the other Williams (Kyle), this selection is all about value. Nohl Williams is another of my preferred picks who fell farther than I expected, so I decided not to bypass a sticky man coverage corner with solid zone vision. He earned First-Team All-ACC honors after recording seven interceptions, leading the FBS while only permitting a 48.5% catch rate, which ranked fifth among college cornerbacks playing a minimum of 80% of their team’s snaps.

Williams registered a 4.50-second 40-yard dash, which isn’t ideal, and his explosive testing numbers weren’t stellar, potentially causing him to slide. While his athletic ability might not be his strong suit, he excels at covering and has excellent instincts in coverage. After reviewing his tape in early January, I was impressed. Here’s my evaluation:

Nohl Williams is a competitor with substantial press-man capability, decent overall man coverage skills, and the spatial awareness, vision, and reactive ability to thrive as a zone defender. He demonstrates an understanding of leverage and positions himself adeptly at mid-pointing; he remains calm under pressure, and his confidence is evident in his consistent trash talk. Williams excels at attacking the football with exceptional ball skills.

Williams showcases impressive strength when tackling in the flat — explosively firing out. He improved his accuracy with tackling angles in space, addressing a prior issue from 2023. He needs to be more disciplined with his hands; occasionally, he can be overly physical, but I prefer that attribute over a hesitant defender. Williams is resolute and has the potential to evolve into a dominant press-man cornerback.

Round 5, Pick 154: Kyle Monangai, RB, Rutgers

Since September, I’ve been enthusiastic about Monangai, and justifiably so. Over four seasons, he hasn’t fumbled once. He averages 3.33 yards after contact, has forced 178 missed tackles, and produced 78 runs exceeding 10 yards. His 73 missed tackles last season ranked sixth in the FBS, with 66 more in 2024. According to Pro Football Focus, he carried the ball 472 times in a zone scheme and 194 in a gap scheme, showing adaptability to either style.

The Giants require a more physical running back to complement Tyrone Tracy Jr. and Devin Singletary, and Monangai fulfills that role. While he may not be the most powerful back in the class, he’s a decisive runner and will likely become a fan favorite. Here’s my evaluation of Monangai:

Kyle Monangai boasts an impressive combination of one-cut explosiveness and downhill physicality. He navigates through the line of scrimmage with controlled precision, quickly accelerating to gain vertical or burst outside for significant yardage.

His ability to evade defenders in space while delivering blows (figuratively) makes him a considerable threat to defenses. He possesses excellent contact balance and a physical rushing style that enables him to excel within the tackles, while his lateral agility and burst are advantageous on outside runs.

Monangai thrived in a zone and DUO-heavy rushing scheme thanks to his vision and adaptability. His explosiveness and acceleration through openings make power/gap rushing a non-issue for him. Although he was not a game-changing receiver in college and could improve his pass protection, he may not be selected as high as his grades suggest, but he has the makings of a future NFL starter.

Round 7, Pick 219: Jared Harrison-Hunte, DL, SMU

A sixth-year college football player who spent five seasons at Miami before recording 44 pressures as a penetrating three-technique for SMU in 2024. Harrison-Hunte would compete with Elijah Chatman for a role and potentially a spot on the roster. At 6’3, 290 pounds with 33-plus inch arms and impressive initial quickness demonstrated by his 1.69-second 10-yard split at the combine, Harrison-Hunte would function as a one-gap penetrator during passing situations.

Round 7, Pick 246: Collin Oliver, EDGE, Oklahoma State

Oliver emerged as a standout at Oklahoma State and earned the Big-12 Defensive Freshman of the Year award in 2021. He amassed 40 pressures and 21 stops as a freshman in just 374 snaps, and followed that stellar season with 39 pressures and 18 stops as a sophomore in 461 snaps, and then 41 pressures and 49 stops as a junior in 2023. He played only two games (totaling 40 snaps) in 2024 due to a right foot injury but registered 14 pressures, two sacks, and two stops during that brief period.

Collin Oliver is an aggressive pressure rusher, though his measurables are a concern — measuring in with 30¾-inch arms at 6’2. He recorded a surprising 27.6% missed tackle rate in college, with over a 30% miss rate as a freshman and sophomore — something to keep in mind! Still, he poses challenges for blockers, and his short-area movement capabilities, coupled with his lateral agility, enable him to generate pressure. He was named Second-Team All-Big-12 three times (2021-2023) and would likely have earned First-Team honors had he maintained his impressive performance in the opening weeks of the season. Oliver is projected as a situational pass rusher behind Carter, Thibodeaux, Golston, and Burns. Here’s my assessment of Oliver, whom the Giants brought in for a Top-30 visit:

Collin Oliver is a fast-accelerating defender with solid explosive skills; he plays low with good force at contact and can turn corners effectively. His measurables—especially his sub-31” arms—pose a significant limitation, positioning him more as a nickel-pass rusher or hybrid linebacker with rush potential. His explosive ability is pronounced when attacking, though it wasn’t as evident in space or during coverage drops.

Overall, Oliver had a productive collegiate career, showcasing various pass-rushing techniques and the capacity to disengage; he effectively combined his solid play strength with elite leverage when rushing, and his football intelligence enabled him to respond and find answers during one-on-one situations. He might start as a sub-package player, but his explosiveness could facilitate an early-down role as a disruptive penetrator.