3 Giants land in ESPN’s top 10 rookie rankings

We are just over one-third of the way through the season, and the Giants’ 2025 draft class has already made a significant impact.

ESPN recently polled five NFL analysts and reporters – Matt Bowen, Kalyn Kahler, Jeff Legwold, Matt Miller and Jordan Reid – in order to find a consensus ranking of the league’s top 10 rookies so far this season.

The Giants have the highest number of players in the top 10 with three, while the Browns are the only other team with more than one rookie to make the list.

Leading the way for the Giants is outside linebacker Abdul Carter, who comes in at No. 2.

“Carter leads rookie defenders in pressures (13), quarterback hits (eight) and total pass rush wins (16),” wrote Kahler. “His only half a sack came against the Commanders in Week 1, but his versatility at linebacker and edge rusher is what makes him so valuable to this Giants defense. Before Week 6, Carter was the only player to have lined up on the edge, on the interior and at linebacker at least 40 times this season, per NFL Next Gen Stats. He has shown he can get to the quarterback with ease, and those sacks will come.”

Next up is running back Cam Skattebo, who lands at No. 5.

“Skattebo fell to the third day of the draft as a high-contact runner who ran a ho-hum 4.66-second 40-yard dash at his pro day,” Legwold wrote. “But with his bring-it-on style, he has carved out a place in the Giants’ offense and in the hearts of the team’s faithful. Among the rookie backs, only the Raiders’ Ashton Jeanty and the Chargers’ Omarion Hampton have averaged more yards after contact per carry than Skattebo’s 2.1. He also leads all rookies in runs for first downs (21), which is tied for fifth best in the league. Only six running backs in the NFL have more receiving yards than Skattebo, too.”

To no one’s surprise, rounding out the list is quarterback Jaxson Dart, who ranks No. 10 on the list despite only seeing extended action in three games.

“In his first start against the Chargers, Dart ran for 54 yards, a touchdown and five first downs, and he has rushed for more than 50 yards in every game since. That fearlessness and toughness has Giants fans dreaming of their own Josh Allen, who developed under Daboll in Buffalo. Dart has also played well when facing pressure. Per NFL Next Gen Stats, he completed 9 of 13 passes (69.2%) for 99 yards and a touchdown throw when the Eagles blitzed in last Thursday night’s win. He is already shifting New York’s expectations.”

Here are the 10 players that landed in ESPN’s top rookie rankings:

WR Emeka Egbuka, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
OLB Abdul Carter, New York Giants
TE Tyler Warren, Indianapolis Colts
WR Tetairoa McMillan, Carolina Panthers
RB Cam Skattebo, New York Giants
LB Carson Schwesinger, Cleveland Browns
LB Jihaad Campbell, Philadelphia Eagles
G Grey Zabel, Seattle Seahawks
RB Quinshon Judkins, Cleveland Browns
QB Jaxson Dart, New York Giants