When the New York Giants walked into the 2025 NFL Draft armed with the No. 3 overall pick and a front office seeking foundational growth, the stakes couldn’t have been higher. But for Assistant General Manager Brandon Brown, the process wasn’t about hype — it was about meticulous planning, cohesive evaluation, and ultimately, vision. In a candid and comprehensive media session on June 5, Brown peeled back the curtain on the Giants’ multi-faceted draft strategy, quarterback evaluations, and the philosophical underpinnings of their team-building approach.
The Abdul Carter Decision: Versatility Over Flash
While fans and analysts buzzed over which quarterback the Giants would take at No. 3, Brown and the Giants zagged where many expected a zig — selecting Penn State linebacker Abdul Carter.
“We’re happy we landed with Abdul,” Brown said. “We had two years of watching great tape of him, seeing him play off the ball, but also as a rusher.”
Carter’s appeal lies not only in his athleticism, but in the dynamic roles he can play within the defense. Brown described a collaborative effort with defensive coordinator Shane Bowen and head coach Brian Daboll to determine just how Carter’s skill set would be maximized.
“You know he can affect the quarterback in multiple positions,” Brown said. “It gives you the versatility to flip-flop with [Brian] Burns, [Kayvon] Thibodeaux, and Abdul… to create the best matchup on a week-to-week basis.”
The decision to draft Carter wasn’t theoretical. Brown emphasized that the front office had already seen Carter do it on tape — from stacked alignments to rushing inside — making the pick feel less like a gamble and more like a calculated bet on a known asset.
Jaxson Dart: The Quarterback With “That Every-Man Feel”
Despite passing on a quarterback at the top of the draft, the Giants didn’t neglect the position. Instead, they waited, maneuvered, and eventually struck in the later rounds to land Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart — a process that had been building for months.
Brown described the quarterback evaluation as “comprehensive and arduous,” with scouts logging two years of live evaluations before the coaching staff even began their deep dives in the offseason.
So what sold the Giants on Dart?
“Every benchmark matters,” Brown explained. “At the Senior Bowl, we sat down with players and asked, ‘If you could bring one guy to the NFL with you, who would it be?’ Jaxson was a common theme that came about… He’s kind of got that every-man feel.”
But it wasn’t just about intangibles. Dart’s private workout, aptitude testing, and even his behavior at teammates’ Pro Days played a role. Brown cited Dart cheering on defensive lineman Walter Nolan during the bench press portion of workouts — a gesture that showed leadership and camaraderie.
“The guys see what kind of equity he builds up with them,” Brown said. “It was a glove fit.”
The Gamble — And The Strategy
After selecting Carter at No. 3, the Giants had to wait and hope that Dart would still be available later. According to Brown, the team leaned heavily on analytics and scouting intelligence — internally dubbed “NASA” — to gauge Dart’s draft-day trajectory.
“We knew once we got into the 20s, there was going to be an opportunity for Jaxson,” Brown said. “As we get all this information… we figure out, hey, what is our best opportunity to strike?”
That process paid off — and with a draft video showing GM Joe Schoen’s emotional relief when the pick was finally made, Brown said the front office was simply executing a plan they had prepared for through strategy sessions.
“You take those reps so when game day comes — on draft day — you’re ready for whatever,” Brown said. “This one played out the way we did.”
Evan Neal’s Next Chapter: A New Identity at Guard
The transition of 2022 first-round pick Evan Neal from tackle to guard might raise some eyebrows. But Brown made it clear that the shift is rooted in both fit and potential.
“We’ve seen Evan [create movement and hold the interior] before,” Brown said. “He’s been fully bought in with the move.”
While Neal’s 6’7” frame is atypical for a guard, Brown waved off concerns about the prototype. Instead, the focus is on technique, leverage, and maximizing his power game.
“He’s a power broker,” Brown said. “We have to keep improving the technique, work on his hand usage and balance.”
The Giants are banking on consistency and development, with offensive line coaches Carm Bricillo and James Ferentz guiding the process.
Darius Alexander and Cam Skattebo: Small School, Big Impact
Draft success isn’t just about first-rounders. Brown highlighted the scouting department’s role in unearthing talent like linebacker Darius Alexander from Toledo and running back Cam Skattebo from Arizona State.
“These are really moments where hats off to our area scouts,” Brown said, noting early identification and persistence. “With Skatt, we weren’t worried about 40 time. We had so many live looks in practice… he wasn’t a guy that popped on the scene late.”
Brown praised scouts Brendan Prophett, Hannah Burnett, and Jeremy Breit for trusting their eyes over hearsay — a philosophy he called foundational to the Giants’ draft process.
Russell Wilson: Leadership You Can’t Measure
The Giants’ quarterback room underwent a full reset this offseason, with veteran Russell Wilson brought in to bring both on-field production and off-field leadership.
“Russ has that knack to push the ball down the field,” Brown said. “And within the first two weeks, he’s flying Jalin Hyatt out to L.A., getting the receivers together, organizing dinners with the O-line.”
That early initiative signaled to the Giants that Wilson was more than just a short-term plug — he was a cultural piece of the rebuild.
Why Run It Back With 91%?
Despite finishing with just three wins in 2024, the Giants brought back 91% of their contributors. To some, that might look like stubbornness. To Brown, it was a reflection of belief in youth and development.
“That was the big thing — sign of youth,” Brown said. “We only have six players left on the roster from when we got here in 2022. But look how young the nucleus is.”
The Giants added savvy veterans like Jevon Holland, Paulson Adebo, and Roy Robertson-Harris to bring balance, experience, and leadership to a roster Brown believes still has plenty of upside.
A Data-Driven Future
Finally, Brown emphasized the team’s continued reliance on technology — including GPS tracking, AI, and in-game analytics — to cross-check scouting reports and evaluate talent.
“If you’re not taking advantage of all those tools, and another team is, you’re being negligent,” he said. “Joe has done a phenomenal job of including our analytics team in the process.”
Final Thoughts
The Giants may not have followed the expected script in April’s draft, but their approach wasn’t random. It was layered, methodical, and rooted in communication across departments — from scouts to coaches to data scientists.
As Brandon Brown explained it, the Giants aren’t just trying to rebuild. They’re building deliberately — and doing it their way.
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