Stock up, stock down for NY Giants: Post Draft Edition
When the NY Giants took Lorenzo Carter in the 3rd round of the 2018 Draft, he was pegged to help generate pressure and sacks on opposing quarterbacks. Big Blue took a chance on Carter’s enticing athleticism and physical traits, he looks like a typical Giants pass rusher.
Unfortunately, Lorenzo struggled with consistency in college and that issue has carried on into the NFL.
Through two seasons, Carter has produced 8.5 sacks and 88 tackles, with 13 tackles coming for a loss. Carter did not make the jump many expected him to make from his rookie to second season in the NFL. He has struggled with beating linemen with speed, using his hands to force leverage, and finding a natural position that fits him comfortably.
It seems the Giants are less optimistic on Carter’s future as they once were. They followed up Carter’s selection in 2018 by signing free agent Markus Golden and selecting Oshane Ximines also in the 3rd round in 2019. This offseason, they further shored up the outside linebacker position by signing Kyler Fackrell from Green Bay, and drafting Carter Coughlin and three other linebackers as well.
While that is some decent turnover at the position, Carter’s stock is actually up right now due to those mostly being middling pass rushers. He’s going to have a great chance to start and produce after the team didn’t select an edge rusher inside the first six rounds.
Lorenzo is a versatile player that works hard but his career has been defined by a lack of consistency and needing a good scheme to find ways to generate pressure. Patrick Graham needs to find a defined role for Lorenzo instead of trying to use him all over the front seven as James Bettcher did.
Carter to utilize his power and speed in a role similar to how Markus Golden was used in 2019 would be a good idea.
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Carter is facing a make-or-break third NFL season. He is also trying to break the “curse” of the NY Giants history with failed 3rd round picks. Carter will need to make the most out of every rep whenever football restarts in order to keep a carved role in the Giants’ new-look defense for 2020.