Can you feel it? Football is in the air! Organized team activities are officially underway, and we’re getting our first look at the new-look New York Giants led by new head coach John Harbaugh.
There are plenty of players that Big Blue fans are looking forward to watching in 2026, like fan favorites Jaxson Dart, Cam Skattebo, Brian Burns, and, hopefully, Malik Nabers. The star WR is still recovering from a season-ending ACL injury and will be back very soon.
One second-year player that Giants fans should be most excited to watch is Abdul Carter. Entering Year 2, he’s set up for a big jump, which could put him right in line for a breakout season in 2026. Fans should expect to see more growth and maturity from him this year, especially after the flashes he showed late last season.
Abdul Carter is poised for a breakout Year 2 with the Giants in 2026
Carter started his rookie campaign slowly. But he ended it on a high note, delivering three and a half of his four sacks in the last five games. If that success carries into next season, Big Blue fans will be in for a treat.
The stat that stands out most from Carter’s rookie campaign is his 66 total pressures. They were the eighth-most in the NFL and the highest among all rookies last year, which is what you'd like to see from a top-three pick.
Just imagine how many more sacks Carter could have recorded had he capitalized on more of his opportunities. With a much-needed second-year leap, he might double or even triple his sack count next year.
The sky is the limit for the 22-year-old, who still has plenty of time to unlock his full potential.
Carter is off to a hot start this year after an impressive first day of practice during OTAs on Tuesday, showing off his speed and athleticism during 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 drills, which is a positive sign for the G-Men.
It’s hard to believe this was the same player who slept through practice and during team meetings as a rookie. Yes, Carter took accountability for his actions, but maybe there’s a new added motivation in the air with Harbaugh standing on the Giants’ sideline, and we’ll start to see the results sooner than later.
The Giants’ front seven features players like Burns, Kayvon Thibodeaux, Tremaine Edmunds, Arvell Reese, DJ Reader, and, of course, Carter. Standing out will be tough, but if the 2025 first-rounder proves himself during OTAs and training camp, coaches will give him starting opportunities when the season begins.
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