As the 2025 NFL Draft comes to a close, all eyes in the Garden State turn to how New Jersey’s teams fared—and the buzz is real. From bold moves by Big Blue, to calculated upgrades by Gang Green, and another classic draft-day shuffle by the Birds, there’s plenty to break down for fans across the state.
Let’s take a deep dive into how the Giants, Jets, and Eagles made waves during this year’s draft and what it means for the season ahead.
🟦 New York Giants Draft Recap: A+ Grade for Aggression and Impact
Top Picks:
- Abdul Carter (EDGE, Penn State)
- Jaxson Dart (QB, Ole Miss)
- Darius Alexander (DT, Toledo)
- Cam Skattebo (RB, Arizona State)
- Marcus Mbow (OL, Purdue)
Draft Grade: A
Why the Giants Nailed It:
Big Blue might have walked away with the most impressive draft haul of any NFL team this year. With the No. 3 overall pick, they landed Abdul Carter, widely considered the top edge rusher in the class—a blue-chip disruptor with game-changing burst and versatility.
But the real headline came with a savvy move back into the first round. The Giants shipped out two third-rounders to secure Jaxson Dart, a high-upside quarterback from Ole Miss handpicked by head coach Brian Daboll. This wasn’t just a splash move—it was strategic succession planning.
“It’s a luxury to find your guy in Round 1, but getting two? That’s how you rebuild fast,” one NFL insider told NJ Draft Central.
Adding Darius Alexander on the interior defensive line gives New York a potential Week 1 starter. His ability to command double-teams should free Carter to hunt freely off the edge.
Running back Cam Skattebo, a bruiser out of Arizona State, looks like the perfect north-south pairing alongside the explosive Tyrone Tracy Jr. in what could become a dynamic backfield tandem.
🟩 New York Jets Draft Recap: Steady and Smart, Eye on the Trenches
Top Picks:
- Armand Membou (OT, Missouri)
- Mason Taylor (TE, LSU)
- Azareye’h Thomas (CB, Florida State)
- Arian Smith (WR, Georgia)
- Malachi Moore (S, Alabama)
Draft Grade: B
Jets Play the Long Game:
While not as flashy as their neighbors, the Jets addressed key needs with precision and purpose. Armand Membou, a plug-and-play tackle from Missouri, might be the missing piece for what is shaping up to be one of the most formidable young offensive lines in the league.
Tight end Mason Taylor, with his reliable hands and red-zone prowess, drew late first-round buzz but landed with Gang Green as a second-day steal. If you’re looking for a security blanket for Aaron Rodgers (or whoever is under center), Taylor fits the bill.
On defense, Azareye’h Thomas adds feisty length and a clean bill of health—a rarity in this year’s cornerback class. However, the Jets waited until later rounds to address their wide receiver depth, which some analysts see as a missed opportunity.
Still, this was a draft that focused on building around the core and solidifying the trenches.
🦅 Philadelphia Eagles Draft Recap: Bold, Deep, and Defense-Heavy
Top Picks:
- Jihaad Campbell (LB/EDGE, Alabama)
- Andrew Mukuba (S, Texas)
- Ty Robinson (DT, Nebraska)
- Kyle McCord (QB, Syracuse)
- Smael Mondon Jr. (LB, Georgia)
Draft Grade: B
Roseman Does It Again (With a Twist):
Once again, GM Howie Roseman turned the board upside down, trading down twice in the third round and adding eight picks on Day 3 alone—after just two in the first two days.
Their draft opened with a bang: Jihaad Campbell, a top-10 talent with ferocious edge presence, somehow fell to Philly at 31. Why does this keep happening?
Second-rounder Andrew Mukuba joins a reloaded secondary that now includes 2024 standouts Cooper DeJean and Quinyon Mitchell. Together, they could become the new no-fly zone in the NFC East.
The Eagles’ Secret Sauce? Day 3 Gems.
- Ty Robinson, a 6-foot-6, 310-lb monster from Nebraska, was a combine standout and has the motor to start early. His versatility along the D-line mirrors what the Eagles love.
- Mac McWilliams (UCF) and Smael Mondon Jr. (Georgia) add depth, speed, and toughness to the linebacker room.
- Kyle McCord, the South Jersey kid from Mount Laurel and St. Joe’s Prep, brings big-game pedigree and serious arm talent. He could eventually push for the QB2 spot behind Jalen Hurts.
“I got the call from the 215 number, and it was just a surreal moment,” McCord said. “You always dream about being a quarterback on the Eagles.”
Philly also loaded up on offensive line talent with Drew Kendall, Myles Hinton, and Cameron Williams—three massive, athletic linemen who’ll go straight into Jeff Stoutland’s bootcamp.
Add in sack specialist Antwaun Powell-Ryland (16 sacks in 2024), and the Eagles didn’t just draft—they reloaded.
🏟️ The Takeaway: New Jersey Football Is Gearing Up for a Wild 2025
Whether you bleed green, blue, or midnight green, the 2025 NFL Draft brought reason for excitement. The Giants are all-in on the future, the Jets are fortifying their foundation, and the Eagles are banking on elite defense and local talent.
As training camp approaches, one thing is certain—football fans in New Jersey and the greater Northeast are in for one heck of a ride this fall.