Giants Take a Late-draft Flier on Quarterback Prospect in New 7-round Mock Draft

New York Giants On SI writer Evan Orris unveils his full New York Giants seen-round mock draft, which focuses heavily on the defense and snags a late-draft quarterback.

Dec 14, 2024; New York, NY, USA; Colorado Buffaloes wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter poses for a photo after winning the Heisman Trophy award during the 2024 Heisman Trophy Presentation. / Lucas Boland-Imagn Images

The New York Giants have eight draft picks in the upcoming 2025 NFL Draft, including the third overall pick. 

In this seven-round Giants mock draft, done on the Pro Football Focus simulator, the Giants continue to add depth to their roster—including a late-draft developmental quarterback–after selecting two instant starters for their defense.

R1, No. 3: CB Travis Hunter, Colorado

Oct 26, 2024; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes wide receiver Travis Hunter (12) reacts after touchdown reception in the first quarter against the Cincinnati Bearcats at Folsom Field. / Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

With quarterbacks Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders off the board, I selected dual-threat Travis Hunter. It was hard to draft him over DT Mason Graham (Michigan) and EDGE Abdul Carter (Penn State) as both would fill key roster needs, but Hunter can be a game-changer on both sides of the ball.

Hunter led the FBS with 1,483 plays, 714 on offense, 748 on defense, and 21 on special teams last season. He played 714 of 823 (86.8%) of the offensive snaps and 748 of 902 (82.9%) of the defensive snaps. Scouts view him as a full-time cornerback and part-time receiver, but even with limited time on offense, he can still make an impact.

On offense, he finished the season ranked in the top 5 in the FBS in receptions (94), receiving yards (1,258), and receiving touchdowns (15). On the other side of the ball, he recorded 25 tackles, four interceptions, and 11 pass deflections as a cornerback, receiving PFF Grades of 89.3 for defense and 90.7 for coverage.

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R2, No. 34: EDGE James Pearce Jr., Tennessee

Tennessee defensive lineman James Pearce Jr. (27) sacks UTEP quarterback JP Pickles (19) during a college football game between Tennessee and UTEP at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024. / Brianna Paciorka/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

James Pearce, Jr. was the No. 15 ranked prospect on PFF's big board and slipped to No. 34 overall. I did not want to pass up on someone with Pearce's skillset.

EDGE isn't necessarily a glaring need, as Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux are already on the roster. However, the Giants could use more depth since Azeez Ojulari signed with the Philadelphia Eagles in free agency. 

Selecting more pass rushers also allows defensive coordinator Shane Bowen to rotate players and keep them fresh throughout the game.

Over the past two seasons, Pearce recorded 17.5 sacks, 66 tackles, 28 tackles for losses, two pass deflections, and a forced fumble. He had a pass-rush win rate of 23.0% last season, which ranks first amongst draft-eligible EDGE rushers.

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R3, No. 65: DL Omarr Norman-Lott, Tennessee

Tennessee defensive lineman Omarr Norman-Lott (55) celebrating after a play during the NCAA college football game against Kent State on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024 in Knoxville, Tenn. / Angelina Alcantar/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

I selected Pearce's teammate, Omarr Norman-Lott, with the Giants' third-round pick. With the addition of Pearce, the newly acquired Chauncey Golston can play on the inside along with Dexter Lawrence II and Norman-Lott, giving the Giants the depth up front they desperately needed.

Last season, Norman-Lott was a rotational player on a deep Tennessee defensive line. His stats took a dip because of it. He recorded four sacks and four tackles for losses, down from his 2023 totals of five sacks and six tackles for losses in 2023. 

He did have a pass-rush win rate of 18.9% and racked up nine quarterback hits and 13 hurries last season.

Norman-Lott is a bit undersized for a 3-tech (6-foot-3 and 315 lbs.) but can complement Lawrence perfectly in that he can use his speed while Lawrence utilizes his raw strength.

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R3, No. 99: OT Jonah Savaiinaea, Arizona

Nov 23, 2024; Fort Worth, Texas, USA; Arizona Wildcats offensive lineman Jonah Savaiinaea (71) blocks in the second quarter against the TCU Horned Frogs at Amon G. Carter Stadium. / Tim Heitman-Imagn Images

The Giants will probably run it back this season with last year’s Week 1 starting offensive line, which didn’t perform poorly. The front office also added depth pieces in Stone Forsythe and James Hudson III tackles, but they might still want to find young tackles to develop.

Jonah Savaiinaea appeared in 35 games, allowing eight sacks, five quarterback hits, and 32 pressures throughout his three-year career at Arizona. More importantly, he has experience as a tackle and guard.

Savaiinaea started his career at right guard, playing in 790 snaps in his first season. The following year, he started as a guard before transitioning to right tackle, where he played in 693 snaps in 2023. This past season, he played both tackle positions, with 364 snaps at right tackle and 345 at left tackle.

The Giants can use his versatility to plug and play him in case of injury while also developing him into a potential starter.

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R4, No. 105: RB Damien Martinez, Miami

Mar 1, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Miami running back Damien Martinez (RB22) during the 2025 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. / Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The Giants used a fifth-round pick on Tyrone Tracy Jr. last draft, but with Devin Singletary collecting the last of his guaranteed money this year and Eric Gray and Dante Miller far from being roster locks, the Giants may want to dip into a historically deep running backs class this year.  

Compared to Tracy's agile and swift style, Damien Martinez (5-foot and 217 pounds) is a more physical back. Martinez rushed for 1,002 yards and ten touchdowns in Miami's high-octane offense. 

He displayed his strength by breaking 42 tackles and gaining 722 yards after contact. The Giants haven't had a physical running back since Brandon Jacobs departed in 2013.

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R5, No. 154 (From Seattle): LB Kobe King, Penn State

Feb 27, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Penn State linebacker Kobe King (LB11) participates in drills during the 2025 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. / Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

With Bobby Okereke collecting the last of his guaranteed money this year and Micah McFadden in the final year of his rookie deal, the Giants might want to start grooming a young player should there be a change after this season.

Kobe King is a nice developmental prospect as a linebacker. He is very aggressive in the run game, finishing last season with an 89.2 grade, 97 total tackles, and nine tackles for losses. He also managed 31 run stops and three sacks.

The 22-year-old could improve in coverage as he surrendered 27 receptions on 30 targets (90.0% completion rate). Still, he is young enough and a solid athlete who could become a sideline-to-sideline backer.

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R7, No. 219: QB Kurtis Rourke, Indiana

Mar 1, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana quarterback Kurtis Rourke (QB12) during the 2025 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images / Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The Giants added veteran quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston this offseason to join Tommy DeVito, but they still need to find a franchise signal caller.

That might not happen this year, given the lack of solid depth at the position, but I still think the Giants should take a flier on a quarterback to start developing.  

Rourke had a strong season last year while leading the Indiana Hoosiers to the College Football Playoff and the program's best record in school history.

He threw for 3,042 yards, 29 touchdowns, and five interceptions. He also posted a career-low turnover-worthy play rate (2.5%) and the second-highest big-time throw rate of his career (5.9%).

Rourke likely projects to be a career backup and spot starter, but he might be worth pursuing to see if he can develop into something more.

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R7, No. 246: LB Karene Reid, Utah

Jan 28, 2025; Mobile, AL, USA; National team linebacker Karene Reid of Utah (32) signals during Senior Bowl practice for the National team at Hancock Whitney Stadium. / Vasha Hunt-Imagn Images

Karene Reid posted 238 tackles, 20 tackles for losses, nine sacks, three interceptions, and ten pass deflections throughout his four-year career at Utah. He is more effective in the run game, as he finished with a grade of 81.2 against the rush.

Reid could become a key contributor on special teams if selected.

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