The New York Giants are just about all set prior to training camp starting up in just a few days. Football season is right around the corner, and for the first time in a long time, there might be something to actually root for with this team.
As the long summer rolls along, there are a ton of different reports and articles circulating about who is going to be great and who is going to fail in 2026. This has been running rampant for months now, but as the smell of the pigskin gets more prominent, so do the delusions.
This time, it’s an ambitious prediction from SB Nation’s Jarrett Bailey that may have raised the stakes for a potential breakout star in that stacked linebacker corps. Bailey predicted Abdul Carter would record 14.5 sacks in 2026, but that feels like a lofty expectation for a player entering just his second NFL season.
Why 14.5 sacks is asking too much of Abdul Carter
Carter is going to be a driving force on the field, and a lofty goal of him getting to the opposing quarterback over 10 times next season is doable. But the biggest reason he may not get to 14.5 sacks has nothing to do with his own ability, but rather the plethora of top-tier talent around him.
To put it lightly, this linebacking corps, and specifically the edge group, is going to eat next season. Brian Burns, who was an absolute monster in 2025, had 16.5 sacks over the course of the season, and the expectation is that he is once again in double digits come September.
Let us also not forget about Kayvon Thibodeaux, who has his back against the wall as this is his fifth-year option. He is playing to help his team win, but also trying to win over the hearts of another team if he is not brought back after 2026.
Then there is the middle of the defense, with freshly drafted Arvell Reese and veteran Tremaine Edmunds. They won’t get a ton of opportunities to get after the quarterback, but don’t be surprised if the rookie is used on inside blitzes to create some chaos.
Carter is going to be a good player. That cannot be stressed enough. There is no reason why he won’t have a breakout season, but with the talent around him, it is going to be hard for him to always get to the opposition every single time.
The Giants have developed a front seven that is full of savages and bona fide hustlers. Carter will stand out, but getting nearly 15 sacks is way too high for the 22-year-old.
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