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Fact or Fiction: Giants' 2025 draft class superlatives

FACT-OR-FICTION-ABDUL-CARTER

The Giants.com crew is presented with four statements and must decide whether they are Fact or Fiction.

The first rookie you will look for when everyone gets on the field for OTAs is LB Abdul Carter.

Dan Salomone: Fact – Carter is the third defensive player selected by the Giants in the top three in the common draft era (since 1967). The others are Lawrence Taylor (second overall in 1981) and Carl Banks (third overall in 1984). Yes, my eyes will be on him.

Matt Citak: Fiction – I cannot wait to see Abdul Carter out on the field once contact is permitted during training camp. But since it's not allowed during offseason workouts, it's tough to get a good read on the linemen on either side of the ball. Instead, I'm going with Jaxson Dart. Brian Daboll made it clear this past week that Russell Wilson is the team's starting quarterback. Jameis Winston was brought in to be the backup, but the Giants made the move back into the first round to grab Dart in hopes that he will develop into the team's franchise quarterback down the line. OTAs will serve as the first time we get to see him out on the field with his new teammates. Dart is the easy choice here.

The most intriguing pick of the Giants' draft is QB Jaxson Dart.

Dan Salomone: Fact – Just because they weren't backed into a corner due to free agency, it didn't mean the Giants were going to rule out drafting a quarterback. The value lined up on their charts, and now they get to be patient in bringing him along.

Matt Citak: Fact – As I mentioned in my first answer, the Giants traded up to grab Dart with the hope that he will eventually become the franchise quarterback. The fact that Dart is the first quarterback drafted by Joe Schoen makes him the clear frontrunner as the team's most intriguing pick.

Giants draft picks tour their new home at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center.

The most underrated pick of the Giants' draft is DT Darius Alexander in the third round.

Dan Salomone: Fact – The Athletic's Bruce Feldman ranked him No. 53 on his annual College Football Freaks List, highlighting his 400-pound bench press, 30-inch vertical, and 20 mph on GPS. Alexander also notched 28 reps in the bench press at the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine, second-most among defensive tackles behind Maryland's Jordan Phillips. The Giants already had freaks in the defensive front, and now it's even freakier.

Matt Citak: Fact – It seems like the Giants taking Cam Skattebo in the fourth round, and maybe even Marcus Mbow in the fifth round, somehow overshadowed the selection of Alexander in the third round. The defensive tackle out of Toledo enjoyed success both as a pass rusher and against the run this past season, and is a perfect complement to Dexter Lawrence on the inside. Not only does Alexander have an opportunity to earn playing time right away, but I think he will also succeed pretty early on. Surrounded by some combination of Lawrence, Brian Burns, Kayvon Thibodeaux and Abdul Carter up front, Alexander should face a ton of one-on-one situations this season.

The happiest man in the Quest Diagnostics Training Center right now is defensive coordinator Shane Bowen.

Dan Salomone: Fiction – How about quarterbacks coach/offensive pass game coordinator Shea Tierney? The newcomers to his room are a 10-time Pro Bowler, a former No. 1 pick who threw for 497 in a game just five months, and the 25th overall selection who can learn from them. That will put a smile on your face, especially when you remember Malik Nabers is entering his second year.

Matt Citak: Fact – After putting an emphasis on the defensive side of the ball in free agency, namely with the additions of Paulson Adebo, Jevón Holland, and Chauncey Golston, among others, the Giants used two of their first three draft picks on Carter and Alexander. That is some serious asset allocation towards the secondary and defensive front. On paper, the Giants' defense has certainly upgraded in a major way in terms of the talent compared to last year. Now it's up to Bowen to figure out the best way to deploy all of these new pieces to maximize everyone's skill sets.

The New York Giants' 2025 offseason workout program is underway at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center.

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