If there’s a growing consensus about the New York Giants’ plans for the 2025 NFL Draft, it’s this: Abdul Carter might just be too good to pass up.
In ESPN’s latest mock draft led by Matt Miller, a group of 10 anonymous NFL scouts were tasked with playing GM for the top 10 teams in the draft order. The goal? Simulate how real front offices think, not just how media boards rank players. And when it came time for the Giants at No. 3 overall, the decision was quick—and definitive.
Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter was the pick. No debate. No hesitation. Just a scout who saw a blue-chip player and took him.
“The assigned scout for the Giants made the quickest pick of this exercise—and was extremely happy to pick Carter,” Miller wrote.
ESPN scout: “Easy decision” for Giants to select Abdul Carter
The full quote from the AFC North scout assigned to New York made it clear: even if it doesn’t perfectly align with the team’s most immediate needs, Carter was just too talented to pass up:
“Easy decision,” the scout said. “Sure, in a perfect world we’d wish this would align a little better with a more immediate and glaring need on the roster, but we’ll take the blue-chip talent and rest easier for it. The only other real consideration would be a trade down if the right opportunity presented itself on draft night, given how many pieces [away] this team is.”
Carter’s numbers in 2024 were absolutely ridiculous: 93 tackles, 12 sacks, 24 tackles for loss, and 61 pressures. His 18.5% pressure rate had him ranked third nationally among FBS players. He was one of the most disruptive defensive players in college football, and that production came in his first full year at edge rusher.
His raw traits—burst, bend, and finishing power—make him a high-upside, ready-to-develop game-changer.
ESPN’s mock acknowledged the Giants’ other needs—offensive line, quarterback—but noted that with Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston in the fold, New York doesn’t need to force anything. The scout also highlighted potential second-round QB options like Jaxson Dart (Ole Miss), Tyler Shough (Louisville), or Jalen Milroe (Alabama) as fallback plans at No. 34.
With Dexter Lawrence anchoring the middle and Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux on the edge, adding Carter would give the Giants one of the most dangerous defensive fronts in the league. Miller called him the No. 1 overall player on his board.
If the board breaks with Cam Ward to Tennessee and Travis Hunter to Cleveland, this may end up being one of the easiest calls of the night. Everything’s lining up for Carter to be the guy.