Abdul Carter sent a viral message to New York Giants fans from his top 30 NFL draft visit.
If you’re a New York Giants fan who wasn’t on board with drafting Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter at No. 3 overall, his latest social media post might change your mind.
While visiting Giants team facilities for his official top 30 NFL draft visit on April 11, Carter sent out a simple — but meaningful — message to NYG supporters.
With no words attached, Carter posted a photo of iconic Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor. This picture of Taylor appears to be on the wall outside of the NYG OLB positional room.
It also includes famed Wellington T. Mara quote: “Once a Giant, always a Giant.”
Although Carter didn’t actually say anything, this social media post quickly resonated with fans. Generating over 1.4 million views and 10,000 likes in under eight hours.
Abdul Carter to Giants in NFL Draft Is Gaining Steam
In reality, the Giants can only land Carter if the Tennessee Titans and Cleveland Browns pass on him.
Tennessee is expected to do so and has been strongly linked to quarterback Cam Ward for quite some time. The Browns are more of a mystery, with pre-draft buzz mostly surrounding Carter, Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter or quarterback Shedeur Sanders.
If Carter does fall to three, the current expectation is that the Giants would draft him — barring a Sanders curveball or trade down scenario. But those two alternative options feel more and more unlikely by the day.
NYG head coach Brian Daboll has had breakfast with Carter in person, and the Giants brass has met with him on several occasions. They’ve shown a similar interest in Hunter, let’s say Cleveland elects to pair Carter with superstar game wrecker Myles Garrett.
Either way, it certainly feels as though Big Blue is ready to run Carter’s name up to the podium, should they get the chance at No. 3.
Abdul Carter Has a Long Way to Go in Becoming the Next Lawrence Taylor
To be clear, Carter’s post doesn’t suggest that he feels he’s the next “LT.” It’s more likely that he’s simply paying homage to an all-time great and NFL legend.
Still, if Carter does get drafted by the Giants, these are the expectations that he’ll be tasked with living up to.
Taylor finished his NFL career with 142.0 regular season sacks, 11 forced fumbles and 9 interceptions. In the playoffs, he added another 8.5 sacks and 2 turnovers forced (1 fumble, 1 interception).
The Pro Football Hall of Famer was also a two-time Super Bowl champion and eight-time first-team All-Pro defender. As well as a three-time AP Defensive Player of the Year.
Few NFL athletes will ever accomplish as much as Taylor, and asking Carter to do so would be a little much. However, fans will expect much more than 2022 first rounder Kayvon Thibodeaux — who could turn into a trade candidate if Carter is drafted.
The Penn State talent is a rising 6-foot-4 pass rusher with 23.0 sacks and 39.5 tackles for a loss over three seasons of collegiate ball.
The Athletic’s lead draft expert Dane Brugler ranks him second overall for this draft class behind Hunter, but others have Carter No. 1.
“With only one season under his belt as a true edge rusher, Carter needs continued polish in his attack,” Brugler first acknowledged within his scouting report. Adding: “His arrow is pointing sky high because of his get-off burst, body twitch and competitive intensity.”
“Overall, Carter is a disruptive presence, because of his explosive nature and how he mixes up his rushes to win with speed, force and a budding arsenal of moves,” Brugler scouted on. “He projects as a 1A pass rusher, with a gift for consistently making the quarterback move his feet and making plays in the run game.”
Carter, Brian Burns and Dexter Lawrence — with or without Thibodeaux — would combine to create one of the most dynamic and dangerous defensive fronts in football.
