2025 NFL draft: New York Giants' biggest winners and losers

USA Today

03-05-2025

2025 NFL draft: New York Giants' biggest winners and losers
The New York Giants are riding high after general manager Joe Schoen hit a home run (at least on paper) in the 2025 NFL draft. His seven-pick class potentially provides solutions for the immediate future and the long-term of the franchise.
But not everyone came away from the draft in a good position.
Here's a snapshot of the Giants' biggest winners and losers following the draft.
Winner: GM Joe Schoen
After an embarrassing showing on "Hard Knocks: Offseason with the New York Giants" and an ugly campaign for the team, general manager Joe Schoen was justifiably on the hot seat. Despite that, co-owner John Mara opted to keep the regime intact and following a solid free agency haul, Schoen hit one out of the park during the draft.
Schoen's draft class has been widely praised and for good reason. He not only landed the best player of the class (Abdul Carter), but he maneuvered back into the first round and solved the quarterback conundrum with Jaxson Dart.
After that, Schoen made three straight value picks that many could argue were steals before wrapping things up with a pair of high-ceiling (but high-risk) additions.
Loser: QB Tommy DeVito
The Giants may have re-signed Tommy DeVito this offseason, but he now appears to be the odd man out. Russell Wilson is expected to start and he'll be backed up by fellow veteran Jameis Winston. Rookie Jaxson Dart won't be risked on the practice squad, so he'll account for another 53-man roster spot.
DeVito could be an option for the practice squad once rosters are trimmed league-wide, but his spot on the active roster is now a thing of the past. He could very well be in the final months of his Giants career.
Winner: DC Shane Bowen
If not for Schoen, defensive coordinator Shane Bowen would have secured the top spot as the biggest winner. His entire defense has been beefed up and completely transformed since the start of the offseason. The additions of Carter, defensive tackle Darius Alexander, and cornerback Korie Black, who has blazing speed, not only solve a multitude of issues but will allow Bowen to rely more heavily on his front seven to create organic pressure.
If Bowen fails to find success with the defense that has been assembled, it will be his failure.
Loser: DL Rakeem Nunez-Roches
The additions of Abdul Carter and Darius Alexander will have a significant impact on Rakeem Nunez-Roches and the role he plays.
After taking nearly 56 percent of the defensive snaps in 2024, Nunez-Roches is likely to fall into more of a rotational role, losing extra snaps to the two rookies. And that's assuming the Giants even hang onto him.
If the Giants were to cut Nunez-Roches, who is in the final year of a three-year contract, they would save an additional $3.6 million against the cap while absorbing just a $1.43 million dead cap hit. And considering they need to clear space in order to sign their rookie class, Nunez-Roches is a likely cut.
Winner: NT Dexter Lawrence
All-Pro nose tackle Dexter Lawrence is the player likely to benefit most from Schoen's draft. Not only will a beefed-up rotation allow him to catch his breath during games, but it will also lead to fewer double-teams.
In obvious pass rush situations, the Giants are likely to send the house with Carter, Brian Burns, and Kayvon Thibodeaux, giving Sexy Dexy more space to wreck things in the middle. And given his success against two blockers, one can only imagine his production in more one-on-one situations.
Provided Lawrence can stay healthy in 2025, he's positioned to put up historic numbers from the nose tackle position.
Loser: OL Evan Neal
Evan Neal may be moving to guard this season, but he won't find an easier avenue to a starting job there. The Giants selected Marcus Mbow in the fifth round and he will likely compete for the starting job with veteran Greg Van Roten.
The Giants recently declined Neal's fifth-year option and although he's willing to do anything to help the team, as Schoen has noted, he's likely entering his final stretch.
The 2022 first-round pick has failed to live up to expectations and is considered one of the Giants' worst draft busts of the past decade.