Abdul Carter: Ready to Legitimize the Giants’ Pass Rush Rebirth
The Giants haven’t had a defensive superstar since their Super Bowl era
After the Jacksonville Jaguars drafted Travis Hunter, the New York Giants decided it was time to invest in some edge protection. With the third overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, the team selected Abdul Carter.
Carter’s combination of elite athleticism, production, and versatility makes him a top-tier prospect with the potential to transform a defense. His selection is a declaration that the Giants, who haven’t been to the Super Bowl since 2012, fully understand that offense wins games — defense wins championships.
Hailing from Penn State, Carter had 12 sacks and a nation-leading 23.5 tackles-for-loss, earning him unanimous All-American and Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2024. Carter has drawn early praise from Giants coaches who see him as a potential game-changer.
Defensive line coach Andre Patterson compared Carter’s instincts to those of rookie-year Elvis Dumervil, while OLB coach Charlie Bullen spotlighted his instinct and finishing mentality. High praise as he joins the Giants’ defensive front, anchored by Kayvon Thibodeaux, Brian Burns, and Dexter Lawrence. Carter steps into a potent group reminiscent of past Super Bowl-era pass rush units with an attitude that fits right in.
“My mindset is I try to control every rush,” he said during the NFL combine. “I’m attacking. I’m setting the pace. I’m setting the tone. I’m going to make him react off of me.”
Thibodeaux praised Carter as “a beast” on the field. Malik Nabers said watching Carter is a sight to behold. “That dude is an animal,” he said. When you watch the explosiveness, the ability for him to turn his body, spin his body. I can’t wait for people to actually see him. He’s got an arsenal, and I can’t wait for him to unleash it.”
Abdul Carter enters the NFL with blue-chip potential and immediate impact upside. His rare burst, instincts, and athletic profile fit perfectly into a Giants unit primed for pass-rush dominance. If managed smartly as a situational disruptor and nurtured technically, he could realistically deliver 8–10 sacks in his rookie year while steadily expanding his role. Challenges in consistency and technique remain, but his ceiling remains among the highest of any defensive rookie in 2025.
In a turn toward legacy, the Giants may have their next superstar edge — but only time will tell if Carter’s physical gifts evolve into NFL greatness.
