“Carter Has Shown Terrific Development”: New York Giants Rookie Abdul Carter Will Have Huge Expectations During 2025 NFL Season

The New York Giants defense could be a little different during the 2025 NFL season with drafting edge rusher Abdul Carter with the third overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft from the Penn State Nittany Lions. Some people think that Carter might be the best player in this draft class.

New York has been missing a pass rush for quite some time now, despite finishing eighth in the NFL in sacks last season. The Giants defense has the chance to be a Top 5 defense in the league with Carter. Opposing offenses are going to have a hard time trying to block Carter and Dexter Lawrence.

Nick Baumgardner of The Athletic talked about expectations for each first-round pick from the 2025 NFL Draft before the season begins. Baumgardner thinks that Carter could be in for a big season with the Giants. He said,

“It’s important to remember that Carter was a stack linebacker his first two years of college and only fully transitioned to the role he’ll play for the Giants ahead of the 2024 season. That said, Carter has shown terrific development across the board as a pass rusher.

I don’t expect a dominant year right away, but I do think Carter will meet or pass the average rookie output we’ve seen from the last five edge defenders taken in the top five (Will McDonald IV, Travon Walker, Aidan Hutchinson, Kayvon Thibodeaux and Chase Young) — about 50 pressures and seven sacks.”

With the way Carter has been dominating training camp for the Giants, he is on the verge of having more than seven sacks as a rookie player. It would not be surprising to see him have 10 or more sacks as a rookie for New York. Carter could be the best pass rusher on this roster before the end of the 2025 NFL season.

If the Giants defense is one of the best in the NFL in 2025, everyone is going to be talking about the former Nittany Lions pass rusher. New York has been missing an elite defensive line over the years. With Carter finally here, the days of glory up front might be returning for them also.