The New York Giants just got a little extra firepower for the 2025 NFL Draft. On Tuesday evening, NFL insider Ian Rapoport reported the league awarded Big Blue a third-round compensatory pick—No. 99 overall—as a result of losing safety Xavier McKinney in free agency last offseason.
The additional selection brings the Giants’ total to four picks in the top 100, giving general manager Joe Schoen another asset to work with in what is shaping up to be a pivotal offseason.
McKinney, who left the Giants for a four-year, $67 million deal with the Green Bay Packers, had a career year in 2024, posting eight interceptions and earning first-team All-Pro honors. That performance helped push the Giants’ comp pick up into the third round, making it one of the more valuable compensatory selections in this year’s draft.
Notably absent from the list of comp picks? A selection for Saquon Barkley. Despite Barkley signing a massive deal with the Philadelphia Eagles and immediately helping them win a Super Bowl, the Giants won’t be getting any compensation for his departure. Just another gut punch to add to the pile.
Xavier McKinney gifts Giants third -round pick for leaving
With the addition of the No. 99 pick, the Giants now hold selections at No. 3, No. 34, No. 65, and No. 99 in the first three rounds.
That’s a strong collection of assets for Schoen, who has already been linked to a potential trade-up for the No. 1 overall pick in the draft. Having four top-100 picks could make it easier to negotiate a deal with the Tennessee Titans, should they make the first pick available.
Of course, the Giants could also hold onto No. 99 and use it to strengthen the roster. Mid-round picks have proven to be valuable in recent years, and with the Giants needing reinforcements all over the field—quarterback, offensive line, receiver, defensive line—you name it, this extra selection could turn into a crucial piece for the G-Men.
While missing out on a comp pick for Barkley stings, landing an additional third-rounder is still a solid win for Big Blue. Whether it helps them move up for a quarterback or lands them a quality prospect, it’s another piece of the puzzle for a franchise desperately trying to get back on track.
