Giants Rookie Abdul Carter Wreaks Havoc in Debut Against Bills

The New York Giants were thrilled that Abdul Carter was on the board when they were on the clock at No. 3 overall this spring, in hopes the former Penn State standout would ignite the pass rush, and if early returns are any indication the rookie is well on his way.

There were glimpses in the Giants’ preseason opener where it was evident that Carter, Brian Burns, and Kayvon Thibodeaux have the potential to be difference-makers.

NFL Media analyst Michal Baca says it was easy to see Carter’s impact, even lined up against elite competition.

“Abdul Carter brought consistent pressure on passing downs,” Baca writes of the Giants’ first-round rookie. “And kept the Bills’ rushing attack at bay, allowing just 21 yards and forcing two punts in two possessions played. Carter, the No. 3 overall pick, made the most of his handful of snaps, forcing a pressure off the edge against four-time Pro Bowl offensive tackle Dion Dawkins and again on the inside with a slick inside move against guard O’Cyrus Torrence.

“While it was backup quarterback Mitchell Trubisky feeling their wrath, the Giants’ showing provided more reason to believe their pass rush will be the key for a turnaround season in 2025 and it will only look better once Lawrence joins the party.”

Carter did not register a tackle, but his ability to beat Dawkins and Torrence while showing some of the tools in his pass rush toolbox are encouraging signs for the Giants.

Giants head coach Brian Daboll believes that New York’s joint practices with the Jets this week represent a major opportunity for Carter to take a big leap in his development towards Week 1.

“Not a lot of plays,” Daboll told reporters following Saturday’s game, of Carter. “Good week coming up against the Jets. We’ll keep building with him.”

Giants Legend Says Abdul Carter Brings New York ‘Into Modern Era’

Adam Hunger | GettyRookie edge rusher Abdul Carter is already one of the New York Giants’ most valuable players.

Giants legend Carl Banks has been a mainstay in East Rutherford this summer, has seen the vast majority of Carter’s snaps, and believes the 6-foot-3 and 251-pound edge rusher has the potential to make a transcendent impact on New York’s defense.

“I think the Giants have entered into the modern NFL and how they can strategically defend,” Banks recently told me, of Carter’s impact. “It takes a lot of pressure off your play-callers, when they know they can call something in there and there could be a matchup issue on the back-end of your defense. It allows you to call defenses that will often negate the advantage that an offense has, at wide receiver vs. cornerback or something vs. safety.

“Some teams blitz a lot, to try to take away the quarterback’s access to his favorite receiver. But, when you have a balanced pass rush with three or four guys who can really get there, it limits what an offense can do in their passing game. It kind of limits how they approach your defense, because they have to account for your pass rush.”

The Giants’ plan for 2025 and beyond seems to be fortifying the defense to the point that it keeps New York in games, alleviates pressure on the offense, and can eventually be the driving force of a turnaround.

If Carter’s collegiate production, posting 104 total tackles with 23 sacks and 41 tackles for loss during three seasons in Happy Valley translates to the NFL and he continues to build on the traits he flashed in the exhibition opener against Buffalo, the Giants may have a game wrecker on their hands and anchoring the defense.