When the New York Giants used the third-overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft to select Abdul Carter, the question was how would they use the versatile edge-rusher in a defense already featuring bookend outside linebackers Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux?
The answer already looks “terrifying” for the Giants’ opponents this season.
That’s according to NFL Insider Jordan Schultz, who called a front four featuring edge trio Carter, Burns, Thibodeaux and All-Pro nose tackle Dexter Lawrence II “straight terrifying.”
Schultz captioned his take above a highlight of Carter getting to Russell Wilson for a sack during minicamp (h/t the player’s Instagram). The simulated quarterback takedown began with Carter (51) lined up at defensive tackle next to Lawrence.
The #Giants having Brian Burns, Abdul Carter, Dexter Lawrence and Kayvon Thibodeaux on the same defensive line is going to be straight terrifying. 🤯
(📹 @1NCRDB1)
The idea opposing teams should be scared of this pass-rush package was endorsed by Dan Schneier of CBS Sports. He believes “Carter is going to be a NIGHTMARE for guards in pass protection when the Giants line him up like this.”
This exciting snapshot provided a “glimpse here into how the #Giants plan to deploy their three pass rushers: Burns & Kayvon outside, Carter terrorizing in middle,” according to SNY.tv’s Connor Hughes.
Shifting an edge-rusher to the interior is not a new tactic, but it’s certainly effective. What’s more intriguing, though, are the other ways the Giants might use roving former Penn State game-wrecker Carter in the pros.
Giants Have More in Store for Abdul Carter
Keeping opponents guessing about Carter’s pre- and post-snap intentions will be key for Giants defensive coordinator Shane Bowen. It’s why Dan Duggan of The Athletic believes Carter’s “going to be the chess piece among this group.”
Duggan’s reference to the “group” is telling. Putting Carter into the mix with Thibodeaux and Burns is a case of the Giants not having too much of a good thing.
The embarrassment of riches on the edge is also how Bowen can find extra ways to unleash Carter. Having him play off more movement from the incumbent pass-rushers makes sense.
Most of that movement will come from Burns, according to ESPN’s Jordan Raanan. He pointed out how “it sounds as if the Giants have plans to move Carter and Burns around a bit, more so than Thibodeaux. Burns said he did a little bit of it last year, so it’s not completely foreign. Still, he had just five pass rush attempts from the defensive tackle spot and one at inside linebacker. That is likely to increase this season.”
Using Burns inside more often, either in tandem with Carter or when the rookie is on the edge, is another way for the Giants to confuse and wreck blocking schemes. Putting both in the A-gaps either side of a center is a pressure look no quarterback will want to see.
Nor will any signal-caller relish those occasions when Carter is lined up off the ball. It’s something he did often for the Nittany Lions and a ploy Raanan expects Bowen to like: “Using Carter in specific packages at a more traditional inside linebacker spot is the most likely option for Bowen to get all three on the field together. Carter played inside linebacker his first two seasons (amassing 11 sacks total) at Penn State. With the Giants, he’s mixing in there at practices in specific pass-rush situations, but the primary focus remains getting him up to speed with playing outside linebacker at the NFL level.”
Carter’s keen instincts, natural timing, downhill aggression and closing speed often show up when he plays middle linebacker in pass-rush sets. Like on this play highlighted by David Syvertsen of Ourlads Scouting.
How will Abdul Carter get on the field along with both Burns and Thibodeaux?
He will play some off-ball linebacker but this clip is something you can get used to watching. A QB spy who has the speed, burst, and feel for chasing down a mobile QB on the move. In a division with
Lining up off the ball will also position Carter to spy some of the better athletes in the league in space. It’s this position flexibility that made Bowen a believer in adding Carter to an already front-loaded depth chart.
It’s obvious the Giants won’t be short of ways to make Carter an impact player as a rookie. Those options will justify using a top-three pick to add to a position of strength.
Franchise history has also proved the strategy right.
Giants Have Achieved Greatness Loading Up on Edge Defenders
Multiple times in their history the Giants have found success after loading up on edge defenders. It worked when Big Blue made Lawrence Taylor the second player drafted in 1981, despite the presence of Pro Bowler Brad Van Pelt and All-Pro Harry Carson.
Taylor still transformed the Giants en route to greatness Carter wanted to emulate by donning the legendary No. 56 jersey. LT said no, but history is still on Carter’s side, just like it was when the Giants drafted Carl Banks third overall in 1984 to join Taylor, Carson and Byron Hunt.
Banks and Taylor won a pair of Super Bowls together, before the Giants replicated a similar formula with a four-man line in 2010. That was the year Jason Pierre-Paul was drafted with the 15th pick and put among a group already loaded with Justin Tuck, Osi Umenyiora and Mathias Kiwanuka.
This quartet helped the Giants pummel Tom Brady and lift the Lombardi Trophy a year later. Repeating the trick is a lofty ambition for a team coming off a 3-14 season, but the Giants’ plan for Carter should at least inspire a quick turnaround on defense.
