It didn’t take long for Abdul Carter to earn national attention in Giants blue. Just one week after being drafted third overall, the rookie edge rusher is already being listed among the league’s most likely breakout stars.
In a feature for Bleacher Report, NFL writer Gary Davenport named Carter one of eight NFL rookies who could be All-Pros or Pro Bowlers in 2025. That’s a serious nod for a player who hasn’t even taken a snap yet—but for Giants fans, it's easy to get behind.
Carter wasn’t just a good pick for Big Blue. He was the only pick. Quarterback was a possibility, but general manager Joe Schoen went best player available and brought in a potential game-wrecker. And now, people are starting to realize that New York didn’t just land a high-upside athlete—they landed a tone-setter. A guy with Day 1 expectations and the traits to match.
Abdul Carter could anchor one of the league’s most dangerous pass rushes
Here’s what Davenport had to say:
“The Giants have the pieces to field one of the NFL’s best pass rushes this season. And it wouldn’t be a huge surprise if Carter quickly became an anchor for it.”
He’s right. Carter joins a defensive front that already includes All-Pro Dexter Lawrence, two-time Pro Bowler Brian Burns, and former top-five pick Kayvon Thibodeaux. That’s a loaded unit with depth, versatility, and now, a future star.
The former Penn State standout was one of the most disruptive defenders in college football last season—12 sacks, 24 tackles for loss, and a motor that never stopped. He plays with violent urgency and the kind of bend and burst that jumps off the screen. There’s a reason the Micah Parsons comps aren’t going away.
Carter’s not being asked to save the defense. He’s being asked to turn a strength into an unstoppable force. With Shane Bowen coordinating the unit, Carter’s hybrid background gives New York even more flexibility in how it attacks.
The G-Men have talked all offseason about building a new identity—tougher, more physical, more relentless. You can see it in their moves. Carter fits that mold perfectly. If Malik Nabers brought the juice to the offense last year, Carter brings the bite to the defense this year.
This isn’t hype for hype’s sake. The expectations are tangible. And if Carter plays the way he did at Penn State, the rest of the league is going to find out what Giants fans are already starting to believe: they finally got their next superstar.