Carter & Dart Look to Rebuild the Giants Back to Their Glory Days

With the draft now in the rearview mirror, I thought it would be fitting to take a look at the Giants' top two picks in this year’s NFL Draft. Edge rusher Abdul Carter (3rd overall) and quarterback Jaxson Dart (25th overall) are both polarizing for different reasons. Carter is, in my opinion, the best player in this draft—he possesses elite athletic traits—while Dart, on the other hand, is an exciting prospect who brings promising athleticism and the courage to throw the ball downfield. Both offer potential pros and cons, but both are coming in with undoubtedly high expectations to bring this New York franchise back to glory.

Abdul Carter – Edge Rusher, Penn State

I loved the Giants’ firm commitment to their foremost choice, securing a premier playmaker in Abdul Carter while bolstering an already formidable defensive line with a dynamic, highly disruptive edge rusher. Big Blue seems set on solidifying that side of the ball, and with Abdul now in the fold, this line will be very hard to protect against. Carter possesses the potential to quickly ascend to All-Pro status. In 2024, during his first season as a full-time edge rusher, he recorded 66 quarterback pressures, ranking second nationwide in the FBS. He now becomes part of a Giants defensive front that already includes key impact players like Dexter Lawrence and Brian Burns.

Jaxson Dart – Quarterback, Ole Miss

Jaxson Dart is a mixed bag for me, not only as a fan but as a spectator. His athletic ability is undeniable—his game as a rusher can be game-changing, as it often was for his Ole Miss Rebels. However, I see mistakes pop up on film consistently, especially late in games when ball security is the top priority. Dart has a good NFL arm, but I would not call it great or elite, as the ball tends to lose steam deep down the field. With a middling arm and questionable decision-making at times, Dart can create a perfect storm of mistakes when the initial read isn’t there.

However, he is still very young and is a coachable player, as shown in his year-to-year improvement through college. He will not be asked to start right away with the inclusion of Russell Wilson, which is a massive benefit in my opinion. The hope is that an offseason with Brian Daboll and a veteran QB room can create the perfect atmosphere for Dart to thrive in Year Two.