With the NFL Draft just a few weeks away, football fans are itching to see who their teams are going to select. One of the teams with the most intriguing draft picks this year is the New York Giants at pick No. 3. Following a 3-14 season, the Giants have several needs to address in this year’s draft. Here are the top three candidates to end up in New York next season, and how they could impact the team:
Abdul Carter – DE Penn State University
In 2024, Abdul Carter appeared in 16 games for the Nittany Lions, accumulating 12.0 sacks and two forced fumbles, while leading the country in tackles for loss. He was a unanimous All-American and was named the Big 10 Defensive Player of the Year. Giants head coach Brian Daboll made headlines over the weekend when he traveled to Penn State to meet with Carter. According to ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter, Daboll reportedly sat down and got breakfast with him. Fans even spotted Daboll at a fraternity party in College Park. As it stands, the Giants are strong on their defensive line, with Brian Burns, Kayvon Thibodeaux and Dexter Lawrence II already down in the trenches. While the Giants do have other areas that need to be addressed, Carter could make the Giants pass rush a force to be reckoned with next season and arguably the league’s best.
Shedeur Sanders – QB Colorado University
The New York Giants have not been able to find consistency at the quarterback position since Eli Manning’s retirement in 2020. The Giants haven’t used a first-round pick on a quarterback since 2019 when they selected Daniel Jones, who was cut from the team in November. New York’s front office went out and grabbed Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston in free agency. While this addresses the Giants’ positional need for the 2025 season, this is not a long-term solution for Big Blue’s need under center. With Cam Ward expected to be taken No. 1 overall to the Titans this year, Shedeur Sanders would be the best quarterback option for the Giants. Sanders was the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year this past season after throwing 37 touchdown passes and over 4,000 yards. Should the Giants take Sanders, it would be wise to sit him behind the veterans they picked in free agency to fine tune his abilities without the pressure of being cast into the fire right away.
Travis Hunter – CB/WR Colorado University
A report from Adam Schefter claims that the Cleveland Browns are set on selecting Travis Hunter with the No. 2 overall pick. But the NFL Draft is full of surprises, and should Cleveland decide to go in a different direction, Hunter would be an excellent fit for the G-Men. This is due to his ability to play on both sides of the ball. Hunter’s versatility would allow the Giants to address their depth in both their secondary and their wide receiver room. Hunter is coming off a Heisman campaign where he reeled in 15 touchdowns and over 1,000 receiving yards, while also coming down with four interceptions. Whether pairing him with Malik Nabers, their first-round pick last year, or adding him to their newly bolstered secondary with Paulson Adebo, Hunter could be a huge pick for the Giants.
If I were the Giants…
If it were me making the decision, I would take Carter, assuming Hunter is already off the board. The dominance the Giants’ defensive line could reach with him is something that cannot be passed up easily. There has not been a swelling confidence in Sanders around the league, and Winston being on a two-year deal gives the Giants a chance to wait for someone special to come along in next year’s draft. While there is the potential upside in letting Sanders develop, Carter being the more NFL-ready prospect makes him a more responsible pick.