2025 NFL Draft: Giants select EDGE Abdul Carter with No. 3 pick

Kevin Hickey

2025 NFL Draft: Giants select EDGE Abdul Carter with No. 3 pick image

Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images

The New York Giants selected Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft.

Despite the fact that the Giants have both Kayvon Thibodeaux and Brian Burns on the roster leading the edge rushers, it's a good problem to have in New York.

Even with the massive need to find a long-term quarterback, the Giants opted to go with the best-player-available route. Carter is a blue-chip prospect, especially after the Tennessee Titans took Miami quarterback Cam Ward and the Jacksonville Jaguars traded up for Colorado two-way star Travis Hunter.

Carter is an intriguing prospect considering his switch from off-ball linebacker to edge rusher in 2024. He excelled in the new role, racking up 12 sacks and 66 total pressures across 16 games during his final season.

MORE 2025 NFL DRAFT: NFL draft grades tracker | SN's 7-round mock | Top 250 big board | Expert mock draft roundup

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What will be interesting is what the Giants do with Thibodeaux. Even though he's only 24 years old, the Giants have to make a decision on his fifth-year option before May 1.

There have been rumors that the Giants could look to trade Thibodeaux now that they drafted Carter, but they could also simply roll with a strong edge rusher unit.

Either way, Carter gives the Giants a cornerstone piece off the edge immediately with the No. 3 pick.

Kevin Hickey

Hickey was previously the managing editor of USA Today's Colts Wire. His work is also featured as a fantasy football analyst for The Huddle. A career .232 hitter, he is an avid reader of Spider-Man comics, an admirer of the James Webb Space Telescope, and a keen enthusiast of Ma’s sauce. You can find him on Twitter/X @KevinHickey11