The New York Giants came away from the 2025 NFL Draft as victors, largely defined by a first-round haul that included blue-chip edge rusher Abdul Carter and the future of the franchise under center.
General manager Joe Schoen’s strong process didn’t stop there. He found a plug-and-play defensive tackle in Round 3, and quality prospects with each of his first Day 2 selections. The Giants will grade out favorably compared to consensus boards and industry mock drafts, even after shipping out two Day 2 picks (and a 2026 third-round pick) to move up for Dart.
New York’s seventh-round pick, Nebraska tight end Thomas Fidone II, received praise, too, although he isn’t without concerns. His medical history is a red flag, and likely took him off some draft boards. Schoen took advantage of that fall.
The Giants buying low on injuries could reap a big rookie return if Fidone outplays his draft capital.
“Fidone tore his ACL just one game into his freshman season at Nebraska,” Anthony Rivardo wrote. “The misfortune struck again when Fidone tore the same ACL a second time just before he could make his return as a freshman.
“His concerning injury history raised red flags for NFL teams during the pre-draft process. This caused him to be overlooked and fall into the seventh round.”
Teams have different appetites for risk tolerance, but in Round 7, there isn’t much to sacrifice. Throwing a dart on a size/speed/strength threat with immediate special teams viability is hardly a horrible bet. Doing so with consensus mid-Day 3 talent is even more enticing.
At his rookie camp press conference, Fidone elaborated on suffering back-to-back ACL tears to the same knee.
“It was definitely difficult, but I've always said this from college, and I wouldn't take them back,” he said. “I think that they've made me who I am mentally and physically, and it made me train harder in terms of just physically and being able to get back better than I was before. So that's always the kind of goal that I had when it came from getting back from the injuries.”
His path to playing time isn’t clear, but neither Theo Johnson nor Daniel Bellinger have established themselves as key parts of New York’s long-term outlook. Projection any seventh-round pick to start is ambitious, but the Giants figure to get a look at Fidone’s upside in a small sample this season.