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These players are the Giants Top 30 visits on Defense.
1⃣ Abdul Carter (EDGE/LB — Penn State)
Abdul Carter is a freakish athlete with elite pass rush upside, capable of lining up all over the front, from A-gap to the edge. He possesses rare bend, closing speed, and explosive traits, with blue-chip All-Pro potential if developed properly. Carter would immediately bring 15-sack upside to a defense needing a game-changing pass rusher.
Draft Projection: Top-5 pick — in play at #3 overall for the Giants.
Endorsement: Both Dan and Nick enthusiastically endorse Carter, considering him one of their top two defensive options alongside Travis Hunter. Nick believes he could lead the Giants in sacks as a rookie, even ahead of Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux.
2⃣ Darius Alexander (IDL — Toledo)
Alexander is a highly explosive, tools-based defensive tackle with elite traits — length, speed, and disruptive ability against both the pass and run. His Senior Bowl dominance confirmed he can excel against NFL-level competition, but his low production and age (24) create risk. He profiles as a 3-tech gap-shooter with long arms and twitchy movement.
Draft Projection: Early Round 2 — likely in play at #34, too risky to fall to #65.
Endorsement: Dan and Nick both like Alexander at #34 and believe he fits Shane Bowen’s attacking front well, though Dan is wary of his low college production. Nick values his length and versatility and would be happy to pair him with Dexter Lawrence.
3⃣ Alfred Collins (IDL — Texas)
Collins is a massive, run-stuffing interior lineman at 6’5″, 337 lbs with elite length (34 5/8″ arms) and natural two-gapping ability. Though limited as a pass rusher, he’s a proven anchor against the run and flashed dominant reps against top programs like Georgia and Michigan. Collins would add badly-needed early-down power to the defensive front.
Draft Projection: Late Round 2 to early Round 3 — best value at #65.
Endorsement: Nick calls Collins one of his favorite values in the class, loving his run dominance and disruptive hands. Dan agrees he’s an ideal 65th pick and sees him as a modern-day Fred Robbins-type foundational piece for a defense that otherwise struggles against the run.
4⃣ Joshua Farmer (IDL — Florida State)
Farmer is a long, powerful, ascending interior lineman with an impressive frame, knockback ability, and flashes of pass rush disruption. Still growing into his 305-pound frame, he displays effort, heavy hands, and high upside as a developmental three-down defender. He had standout reps against North Carolina and ACC competition as a three-tech.
Draft Projection: Round 3 — potentially at #65, but maybe #99 if he slips.
Endorsement: Both Nick and Dan like Farmer’s upside and physicality, especially his high motor and positional versatility. Dan believes he’s only at about 40% of his potential and would love to see Andre Patterson coach him up in the Giants’ system.
5⃣ Collin Oliver (EDGE — Oklahoma State)
Oliver is an electric, undersized (6’2″, 240 lbs) pass rusher with elite burst, bend, and freakish 1.57 10-yard split explosiveness. He was wildly productive at Oklahoma State, leading the team in sacks for three straight years. Oliver lacks ideal length (30 3/4″ arms) and strength as a run defender but could thrive situationally.
Draft Projection: Day 3 — Round 5-6 as a situational pass rusher.
Endorsement: Nick loves Oliver’s tape, calling him a highly effective speed rusher despite size concerns, while Dan agrees he’s a valuable late-round flier. Both see him as a sub-package weapon with special teams upside.
6⃣ Jaylen Reed (S — Penn State)
Reed is a versatile, physical safety with solid speed (4.49), capable of playing deep or close to the line with standout blitzing ability. He led Penn State in tackles and interceptions in 2024 while earning a reputation as a hard-hitting, high-effort player. Reed has some tackling inconsistency but offers a reliable downhill, run-fitting presence.
Draft Projection: Early Day 3 — Round 4 (likely #105)
Endorsement: Both Dan and Nick like Reed as a tough, versatile safety for sub-package roles, blitzing, and special teams. Nick thinks he’s a classic “smart, tough, dependable” Joe Schoen pick and would love him in a 3-safety look with Holland and Nubin.
7⃣ Cory Black (CB — Oklahoma State)
Black is a tall (6’0″), explosive corner with blazing 4.35 speed, a 39″ vertical, and good press tools. He started 38 games, logging 4 INTs and 29 PDs while excelling in zone coverages and as a physical tackler near the line. He lacks elite fluidity and struggles against polished route runners, but has special teams and depth value.
Draft Projection: Day 3.
Endorsement: Nick and Dan are cautiously intrigued, recognizing the athletic upside but concerned about his stiff hips and double-move vulnerability. They’d take a flier late on his speed and physicality, seeing him as a core special teamer and CB5 type.
8⃣ Andrew Mukuba (S — Texas)
Mukuba is a twitchy, instinctive safety with elite center-field range and ball skills, leading the SEC with five INTs in 2024. A fearless, aggressive tackler despite being undersized (5’11”, 186 lbs), he plays with impressive instincts, physicality, and versatility. He thrived in Texas’ defense after transferring from Clemson, quickly becoming a defensive leader.
Draft Projection: Late Round 3 to early Round 4 — likely #99 or #105.
Endorsement: Dan is extremely high on Mukuba, calling him a “my guy” and preferring him over Jaylen Reed. Both Dan and Nick see him as a third safety with high-end range and sub-package value and would be thrilled to land him at pick 99.
Omarr Norman-Lott (IDL — ASU/Michigan State)- bonus eval
Omarr Norman-Lott is a compact, stout defensive tackle with explosive get-off and violent, active hands. He brings natural leverage and quickness at 6’2″, 296 lbs, making him disruptive in one-gap schemes and capable of creating interior pressure. While he lacks elite length (32 1/8” arms) and ideal anchor strength, his relentless motor and penetration ability stand out on film.
Draft Projection: Round 3.
Endorsement: Dan and Nick both like Norman-Lott’s high-energy play style and disruptive flashes, though they view him as more of a rotational 3-tech and depth option. Nick loves his active hands and thinks he’d thrive as a sub-package penetrator in Bowen’s defense. Dan would be happy with him at pick 105 but sees better value if he slides into Round 5.
Summary
Top Endorsements:
- Abdul Carter (#3 overall)
- Darius Alexander (#34)
- Alfred Collins (#65)
- Joshua Farmer (#65 or #99)
- Andrew Mukuba (#99)
Good Day 3 Targets:
- Jaylen Reed (#105)
- Collin Oliver (R5-6)
- Cory Black (R5-7)
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