When the New York Giants spent the No. 3 overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft on Abdul Carter, they improved arguably the team's biggest strength.: Their front seven.
There was already significant hype surrounding Carter coming out of Penn State, but landing in an ideal situation only added to it.
Carter joins a ton of talent on the defensive line, most notably Brian Burns, Dexter Lawrence, and Kayvon Thibodeaux. If the rookie has the immediate impact that many expect, the Giants' front seven may be one of the league's best.
But head coach Brian Daboll doesn't want to hear the hype. He understands that action must be put into motion or the words mean very little.
"Hype doesn't get you anywhere. Action does," he told reporters via Zoom on Tuesday. "So whatever people think, or they say, good or bad, the only thing that really matters is how we go about our business and ultimately producing when it matters, for all of us.
"So that's our mantra. That's our mindset is to just come in here, work hard, be prepared, and go out there and coach our best, play our best when it matters. This group or that group doesn't really have any effect on how you play. What has an effect on how you play is your preparation, process, and then ultimately, on game day, going out there and doing it. Less talk, more doing."
Someone has been listening to Tom Coughlin.
To say Carter has impressed during training camp would be an understatement. And given the consistency Lawrence has displayed over the past several seasons, establishing himself as one of the best interior defensive linemen in the league, it feels like his dominance will continue.
However, the unit may collectively bring out the best in each other.
The Giants also have Micah McFadden and Bobby Okereke as part of the front seven and depth on the defensive line with Rakeem Nunez-Roches and free agent acquisition Chauncey Golston.
There is a lot of defensive talent on the Giants, and it will be tested in the early part of the season, given the tough matchups on the schedule. Ultimately, it'll be on the players, along with defensive coordinator Shane Bowen, to ensure it translates into success on the field.
