After a miserable season, and Daboll and Schoen’s jobs on the line, the New York Giants needed to have a good draft and hit on these high draft picks. As a Giant’s fan, I am very pleased with the draft we had, and hope decisions like these are a good sign for things to come. Today, I will be grading each of the Giant’s picks, and giving my analysis on how they can help us as a team.

Round 1 Pick 3: Abdul Carter (Edge)

Grade: A

With Travis Hunter off the board, the Giants took the best overall player with the third pick. I thought this was a smart move. Despite edge rusher not being their biggest need, taking Carter here was the better choice as opposed to reaching for a player at a higher position of need. There was some speculation due to this pick of whether the Giants would then trade away Kayvon Thibodeaux, but then moments after, the Giants accepted Kayvon’s fifth year option, ensuring the Giants would keep the improving pass rusher. Adding Carter to the Giants’ front seven creates a dangerous unit, and allows for a rotation of pass rushers between Thibodeaux, Carter, and Brian Burns. Or, the Giants can be flexible with the use of Carter, putting him in the middle to help with pass coverage. Cater is explosive, strong, and poses as a major threat for opposing offenses. Overall, a good pick by the Giants, utilizing the best player available mentality.

Round 1 Pick 25: Jaxson Dart (Quarterback)

Grade: B

The Giants made a bold move towards the end of the first round, trading up with the Texans to the 25th spot and taking their future franchise quarterback in Jaxson Dart. At the time I was not in love with this move, but I’ve grown to like it more as I’ve done more research about Dart as a player. However, I still feel the Giants did not necessarily need to trade up to get Dart, as they had a very high second round pick. This pick also stirred controversy among some fans, as many felt Shedur Sanders was the better prospect. But, they decided on Dart, and inadvertently started the Shedur Sanders fall in the draft. Although Dart is not NFL ready just yet, he is a developmental piece with great potential. He will be sitting behind proven veterans in Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston, which will hopefully improve his development. He is a great locker room guy that poses a great dual threat talent. Daboll really likes Dart, and sees some similarities to another great NFL quarterback in Josh Allen. Hopefully, Dart can one day turn into the Giants’ franchise quarterback, making this pick pay off.

Round 3 Pick 65: Darius Alexander (Defensive Tackle)

Grade: A+

I am a huge fan of the Darius Alexander pick. Alexander was highly touted as a guy that would go in the early second round, maybe even in the last first. To get him at this spot is great value, and at a position that the Giants needed desperately. Outside of Dexter Lawrence, the Giants had very little defensive tackle depth and size. With the Alexander pick, the Giants add that much needed size, and hopefully can become a great run stopping threat the Giants need. He is extremely explosive for his size, plays forcefully, and will bring a lot of energy to this Giants defense. Great pick!

Round 4 Pick 105: Cam Skattebo (Running Back)

Grade: A-

I am really excited to watch Skattebo in a Giants uniform. Skettebo was electric on Arizona State, and adds a bruising running back to the Giants’ backfield. The Giants lacked the true goal line back that is needed on the one yard line. Tyrone Tracy, who although played really well for us last season, often had fumbling issues in these goal line scenarios. Skattebo adds a strong offensive threat to the Giants, and plays with such intensity and prides himself in running over the defense. We now see a lot of offenses thrive having dual threat running backs (such as Detroit), and the Giants are creating this dual threat weapon with the pick of Skattebo. The only thing I do not love about him as a prospect is his age. He is 23 years old, and we know running backs nowadays do not last very long. However, I still think the Giants made a good selection.

Round 5 Pick 154: Marcus Mbow (Offensive Guard)

Grade: A

The Giants’ offensive line was definitely a weak spot last season, and the pick of Mbow definitely helps that unit. Mbow was by far the best guard remaining in the draft, and picking allows the Giants to have some flexibility of who they are going to play on the line. Mbow is big, strong, and played really well in college. He is even capable of starting day one. Taking potential starters in the late rounds like these is really important, and the Giants definitely did so with this pick.

Round 7 Pick 219: Thomas Fidone II (Tight End)

Grade: B+

Fidone was ranked as the 10th best tight end prospect in the draft, and the Giants were able to get him in the seventh round. Fidone is a great route runner for his size, and adds another threat to the Giants offense. The tight end position for the Giants has had very limited production over the past few years, and hopefully Fidone adds more depth to this unit, and hopefully adds some production to this offense.

Round 7 Pick 246: Korie Black (Cornerback)

Grade: B

In the NFL, you can never have too many corners. The Giants use their last pick to take Black, who was projected to be gone in the sixth round. Black is fast and plays well in zone coverage, and can contribute as a strong depth piece to the Giants’ defense. Solid way to close out the draft.

Overall, I am very happy with how the draft played out. Between this and free agency, the Giants had a very solid offseason, and gives me hope for the future. Maybe we can even sneak into the playoffs next season!