If the NFL started from scratch every year like many fantasy leagues do, what would it look like? Everyone going back into the pool and landing in a new spot every season?
Well, Chad Reuter of the NFL Network went through the exercise and reimagined what the 2025 NFL draft would have looked like with all players — veterans and rookies — available to be drafted. Each team would build with a “win now” mentality.
The draft is also done “snake” style after the first round, like in many fantasy leagues, meaning the order goes 1-32, 32-1, and then 1-32 again and so on. There were no trades or supplemental picks taken into account, and free agents who are still unsigned were not included in the pool.
Using the 2025 draft order, the New York Giants held the third overall selection. They took a player they regretted not taking back in 2018: Quarterback Lamar Jackson.
Giants fans would love to see their quarterback throw for 41 touchdowns and run for 915 yards, as last season’s MVP runner-up did for the Ravens in 2024
Here are the Giants’ remaining picks:
- Round 2 (Pick 63) – running back Bijan Robinson
Seeing former top-five pick Saquon Barkley star in Philadelphia last season makes the Giants yearn for another rushing-receiving threat like Robinson.
- Round 3 (Pick 65) – wide receiver Puka Nacua
If Nacua can stay healthy, he’ll be a nice foil to second-round pick Bijan Robinson and first-rounder Lamar Jackson in the Giants’ new-look offense.
- Round 4 (Pick 128) – defensive lineman DeForest Buckner
Buckner is still among the top interior threats and can play multiple spots in the Giants’ three-man front.
- Round 5 (Pick 130) – edge Josh Hines-Allen
The two-time Pro Bowler has 25.5 sacks over the past two seasons and would give the Giants some juice on the outside to complement fourth-round pick DeForest Buckner.
- Round 6 (Pick 190) – offensive tackle Brian O’Neill
O’Neill quietly goes about his business in Minnesota, but a second Pro Bowl appearance in 2024 makes him one of the top linemen in the league in this mock.
- Round 7 (Pick 195) – cornerback L’Jarius Sneed
The Giants select Sneed with the hope he can replicate the success he had in Kansas City (10 interceptions from 2020 to 2023).
Make of this what you will. It’s the slow time of the offseason.
This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: Giants land Lamar Jackson in Chad Reuter’s ‘win now’ mock draft