Drafting for the New York Giants isn't just about football. It's about survival in the loudest media market on the planet. Honestly, if you look at the ny giants first round picks over the last decade, it feels less like a strategic masterclass and more like a high-speed chase where the driver keeps hitting the curb.
Some picks become legends. Others? They’re gone before they even learn the commute to East Rutherford.
The 2025 Gamble: Abdul Carter and Jaxson Dart
The 2025 NFL Draft was basically a "save our jobs" summit for GM Joe Schoen and Head Coach Brian Daboll. They didn't just take one swing; they took two.
With the No. 3 overall pick, the Giants grabbed Abdul Carter, the Penn State edge rusher. People were screaming "generational talent" and comparing him to Micah Parsons before he even put on the hat. But the reality of his rookie year was... complicated. He wasn't a day-one starter. The Giants used him more as a chess piece, a "super utility" pass rusher to complement Kayvon Thibodeaux and Dexter Lawrence. He finished with 4 sacks and 66 pressures, which is solid for a rookie, but maybe not the "savior" numbers fans expected for a top-three selection.
Then came the shocker. Schoen traded back into the first round at No. 25 to snag Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart.
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The plan was for Dart to sit behind veterans Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston. That lasted exactly four weeks. By October, the "future" was now. Dart showed flashes of absolute brilliance—like that four-touchdown game against Denver—but his "cavalier" running style has everyone holding their breath. He’s already dealt with a concussion and multiple trips to the medical tent. He’s the hope, but he’s also a reminder of how thin the ice is.
Why Recent NY Giants First Round Picks Feel Like a Rollercoaster
If you’ve been a fan for a while, you know the pain. It’s the "process vs. results" trap.
Take Evan Neal (2022, No. 7). On paper? A slam dunk. Everyone loved that pick. But on the field, it’s been a nightmare of injuries and developmental stalls. Then there’s Kadarius Toney (2021). He had that one record-breaking game against Dallas where he looked like a god, then he was traded to the Chiefs for a third-rounder a year later.
It’s been a weird mix of "no-brainer" picks failing and "reaches" actually working out.
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- Malik Nabers (2024, No. 6): He’s basically the soul of the offense now. Even with a revolving door at QB, his talent is undeniable.
- Deonte Banks (2023, No. 24): A bit of a polarizing figure. The talent is there, but some critics (and apparently some coaches) have questioned the "want-to" during a rough 2025 season.
- Andrew Thomas (2020, No. 4): The gold standard. When he’s healthy, he’s a top-five tackle. When he’s out, the whole line collapses like a house of cards.
The Ghost of Gettleman and the Schoen Era Strategy
We can't talk about ny giants first round picks without mentioning Dave Gettleman. The "Hog Mollie" era gave us Dexter Lawrence (a massive win) but also Saquon Barkley at No. 2.
Look, Saquon was incredible, but taking a running back that high when the roster was a dumpster fire is the kind of decision that haunts a franchise for five years. Schoen has tried to be more "analytical" and value-driven. He’s focused on premium positions: EDGE, QB, LT, WR.
The problem is, even "good process" hasn't saved them from bad luck. Drafting Kayvon Thibodeaux at No. 5 in 2022 was the right move. He’s had double-digit sack seasons. But is he the game-wrecker they need him to be every single Sunday? That’s still up for debate in the local sports bars.
A Legacy of Hits and Total Misses
The Giants’ history in the first round is a wild spectrum. You have Lawrence Taylor (1981) and Phil Simms (1979), guys who built the trophy case. Then you have the dark years.
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- Ereck Flowers (2015): The name that still makes Giants fans twitch.
- Eli Apple (2016): Talent was there, the locker room fit... wasn't.
- Deandre Baker (2019): Traded back into the first for him, and he was off the team in a year due to off-field issues.
Compare that to Dexter Lawrence (2019, No. 17). He’s arguably the best nose tackle in football. He was the "other" pick in the Odell Beckham trade, and he’s outlasted almost everyone from that era.
What’s Next for Big Blue?
As we look toward the 2026 off-season, the pressure is on Jaxson Dart to prove he’s the "franchise" and not just another name on the list of first-round QBs who didn't make it. The Giants finally have a core—Nabers, Lawrence, Thomas, and hopefully a progressing Abdul Carter.
But as history shows, one bad first-round miss can set a rebuild back two years. The Giants can't afford any more "process wins" that result in "on-field losses."
Actionable Insights for Following the Draft:
- Watch the Post-Draft Grades: Don't take them as gospel. Remember that Abdul Carter was a "C+" after Year 1 but still has the tools to be an All-Pro.
- Monitor Injury History: For picks like Andrew Thomas and Jaxson Dart, availability is the most important "ability."
- Evaluate Positional Value: Notice how Schoen avoids RBs and LBs in Round 1. This is a long-term play to build a sustainable roster.
Check the current Giants roster depth to see how these first-rounders are being utilized in specific packages. You'll notice that the team is increasingly moving toward a "positionless" defensive front to maximize guys like Carter and Thibodeaux.