With the No. 3 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, the New York Giants are in prime position to add a top-tier player to their roster. Coming off a rough 3-14 season, this draft is crucial for Big Blue’s rebuilding efforts. While the first-round pick will set the tone, the rest of the draft will be just as important in shaping the team’s future.
In this three-round mock draft, the Giants target several key areas while assembling a potentially dominant defensive front. Their projected first pick is Carter — a dynamic edge rusher with freakish athleticism. He racked up 12 sacks and led the nation with 24 tackles for loss in 2024. His aggressive style draws comparisons to Micah Parsons, the standout linebacker from Penn State now starring for the Cowboys.
The Giants have met with Carter five times, a strong sign he could be their primary target in Round 1 — potentially becoming their own version of Parsons.
Building a fearsome defensive front
After locking in Carter with their first pick, the Giants keep reinforcing their defensive line by selecting Oregon defensive tackle Derrick Harmon at No. 34 overall. Harmon is a 6’4”, 313-pound force in the middle who not only clogs running lanes but also generates serious pressure. In 2024, he led all NCAA defensive tackles with 55 pressures and ranked fourth with a 17.6% pass-rush win rate, according to SCOUTD.
Derrick Harmon Teaming Harmon with All-Pro Dexter Lawrence would give the Giants a terrifying duo on the interior. Add in Brian Burns, Kayvon Thibodeaux, and Carter on the outside, and New York could field one of the league’s most dangerous defensive fronts — giving their defense a renewed identity.
Turning to offense in Round 3
With their defensive foundation in place, the Giants look to bolster the offense in the third round. At No. 65, they select Ole Miss wide receiver Tre Harris, a 6’3” physical threat with big-play ability. Despite playing only eight games in 2024, he recorded 60 catches for 1,030 yards and seven touchdowns. He led the NCAA in yards per route run (5.12) and earned the top receiving grade vs. man coverage, per PFF. Harris, who played high school ball with Malik Nabers, could be an exciting complement in the Giants’ passing game.
With the 99th pick, the Giants grab a developmental quarterback in Ohio State’s Will Howard. At 6’4”, 236 pounds, Howard has the size and tools NFL teams covet. He threw for a Big Ten-best 4,010 yards and 35 touchdowns in 2024, guiding Ohio State to a national title.
Howard is a proven winner — a trait the Giants need under center. Adding both Harris and Howard would give the team two promising young offensive weapons to pair with a reloaded defense. If this mock draft plays out, the Giants could quietly emerge as a team to watch in 2025.
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