On April 2, the New York Giants were linked to another 2025 NFL Draft prospect, as ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that UCLA linebacker Carson Schwesinger had a private pro day in Los Angeles attended by representatives from 30 teams, including the Giants.
Schwesinger impressed with his performance, which included position drills, a 10’7 broad jump, and 3-cone and 20-yard shuttle times in the 6.9 and 4.1 range, respectively. Notably, Giants linebacker coaches were among those who met with Schwesinger privately.
Schwesinger, who went from walk-on to All-American at UCLA, was praised for his elite instincts, understanding of blocking schemes, and play recognition. Although undersized and not the fastest, he excels in coverage, open-field tackling, and special teams.
NFL Network’s Lance Zierlein believes Schwesinger’s athleticism and competitiveness position him as a future starter, potentially as an inside or 4-3 Will linebacker.
NFL experts project Schwesinger as a late first or early second-round pick, with the Giants hoping he might fall to the second round.
Tony Pauline highlighted his outstanding three-cone time and rare instincts, which have caught the attention of NFL teams. The 33rd Team’s Kyle Crabbs noted Schwesinger’s potential as a starting MIKE linebacker with impressive natural instincts and athleticism, though his lack of college experience may be a concern for NFL teams.
With the Giants possibly looking to replace middle linebacker Bobby Okereke, Schwesinger could be a candidate to step in. Although Okereke remains on the roster for now, Schwesinger could eventually take his spot, especially with a potential $6 million cap savings if Okereke is released post-June 1.
If Schwesinger doesn’t start immediately, he could learn behind Okereke before eventually taking over in 2026.
In conclusion, while Okereke is likely to finish out the season with the Giants, Schwesinger represents an intriguing draft prospect who could address the Giants’ linebacker needs, particularly if they select him in the second round.
