When the New York Giants drafted Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter with the third overall pick, it undoubtedly excited many about what this Giants pass rush could look like in 2025 and beyond.
With Brian Burns, Dexter Lawrence, and Kayvon Thibodeaux already anchoring the defensive front, adding Carter could push this Big Blue pass rush to another level as they look to bounce back on both sides of the ball after a disastrous 2024 season.
While Carter has yet to play in a live NFL game (preseason doesn't really count), the 21-year-old might be ready to put the rest of the league on notice ahead of his highly anticipated rookie season.
Abdul Carter predicted to be one of 10 rookies this year to make instant impact
In a recent Fox Sports article, Carter was ranked fourth among the top 10 NFL rookies expected to make major impacts in their first year, with many believing he was the best player available in this year’s draft class:
"The Giants selected Carter third overall in the 2025 NFL Draft, and he might be the most talented prospect in the class," the article wrote. "It was truly a best-available pick, as the Giants already have Kayvon Thibodeaux, Dexter Lawrence II, and Brian Burns headlining their front seven. Carter can still make an impact, and if he hits right away, the Giants might have the best front seven in the league."
Carter’s numbers from his time at Penn State don’t tell the full story of the impact he can have on this Giants team. He totaled 23 career sacks over three seasons as a Nittany Lion, with last year being his best. He finished with a career-high 12 sacks, two forced fumbles, and a personal-best 68 total tackles.
In his first preseason game, Carter didn't get much time to showcase his skills, but in the few snaps he did get, he sure looked like the NFL's next pass-rushing nightmare.
The Giants have a generational talent in Carter to add to a defense capable of creating plenty of problems for opposing offensive lines. If he can replicate his production from his time at Penn State, the prediction of him making an instant impact as a rookie could prove inevitable.