New York Giants Bolster Defence with Abdul Carter as Third Overall Pick
The New York Giants have made a significant addition to their defence, selecting Penn State star Abdul Carter with the third overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft. This move was widely expected, as the Giants have long been built on the strength of their defence and were not going to pass on the opportunity to add to their pass rush.
According to ESPN, the Giants general manager Joe Schoen announced that New York is going to exercise defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux’s fifth-year option, ending speculation that the former first-round pick could be on the move via a trade. "Kayvon is going to be here. … You can’t have enough pass rushers," Schoen said, as reported by ESPN.
Carter joins a defensive front that includes Thibodeaux, Dexter Lawrence, Brian Burns, and Bobby Okereke. He was the Giants’ choice after quarterback Cam Ward went No. 1 overall to the Tennessee Titans and the Jacksonville Jaguars selected two-way star Travis Hunter with the second pick after completing a trade with the Cleveland Browns. As ESPN notes, Carter was rated by some teams as the top player in this draft and fits the bill as the kind of blue-chip or generational prospect that Schoen recently said "you don’t pass on."
The Giants couldn’t pass on Carter, who had 12 sacks last season in his first year playing off the edge at Penn State. He played the previous two seasons at off-ball linebacker and could be deployed in a way similar to how the Dallas Cowboys use star pass rusher Micah Parsons. As ESPN reports, Carter visited the Giants in the weeks leading up to the draft and posted a picture of Big Blue legend Lawrence Taylor that he saw at the team’s facility.
The selection sets up the Giants to more closely resemble the glory years’ teams of the past. All four of their Super Bowl winners were built around defence, specifically a ferocious and deep pass rush. Carter, a unanimous All-American and the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, has drawn comparisons to All-Pro edge rusher Von Miller with his explosiveness off the edge. As ESPN notes, Carter led all of FBS last season with a 19.6% pressure rate off the edge.
The addition of Carter to the Giants’ defence is a significant one, and it’s clear that the team is looking to build on their recent successes. With a strong defensive front now in place, the Giants will be looking to make a deep run in the upcoming season. As ESPN reports, Carter’s selection is a major coup for the Giants, and it’s clear that they are committed to building a strong team around their defence.
In related news, the Giants traded for Burns last offseason and selected Thibodeaux fifth overall in the 2022 draft. Both edge rushers have a double-digit sack season on their resumes. The Giants will be looking to build on this success with Carter now on board. As ESPN notes, Carter is expected to play a key role in the Giants’ defence, and his addition is a significant boost to the team’s chances of success in the upcoming season.
The Giants’ decision to select Carter with the third overall pick has been widely praised, with many analysts believing that he is one of the top players in the draft. As ESPN reports, Carter’s selection is a major addition to the Giants’ defence, and it’s clear that the team is committed to building a strong team around their defence.
Source: ESPN – Giants select Abdul Carter with No. 3 pick in NFL draft.
