The New York Giants are building a defense that will feature a gauntlet of pass rushers.
Using the No. 3 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft on Penn State star Abdul Carter, the Giants added a cornerstone piece to the defense to work alongside Kayvon Thibodeaux and Brian Burns.
Carter is a blue-chip prospect despite the fact that he only has one season of experience working as an edge rusher. Even so, his transition from off-ball linebacker to edge rusher was as seamless as could be in 2024.
With Carter now rocking Giants blue, here's how the NFL experts around the league graded the selection.
Giants NFL draft grades for Abdul Carter
Vinnie Iyer, The Sporting News: A
Iyer: "The Giants make it three-for-three for acing the right picks at the right spots. They have some punch in their front seven, but not a dominant, versatile all-around disruptor both in the pass rush and run defense. Carter is a transcendent addition to boost Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux in their 3-4."
Prisco: "They had to pass on quarterback to take the best pass rusher in the draft. When the Giants won Super Bowls, they rushed the passer. Carter adds to talent up front. They can wait on the quarterback."
Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz, USA TODAY: A
Middlehurst-Schwartz: "Big Blue's pick seemed to be trending this way for some time, but it still feels a bit strange to see the team exhibit some restraint around quarterback considerations given the desperation that has colored the rest of the offseason plans for the position. In terms of maximizing pure value, there was no real alternative to Carter at this slot. An absolute wrecking ball off the edge, the 6-2, 250-pounder offers a Pro Bowl-caliber package of athletic tools that he should wield even more comfortably as he grows more accustomed to full-time work rushing off the edge. File the question of how New York will utilize its newest disruptor alongside Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux under the category of good problems to have."
Charles McDonald, Yahoo Sports: B+
McDonald: "This pick gives the Giants one of the fiercest pass rushes in the league and puts Abdul Carter with star defensive linemen Dexter Lawrence and Brian Burns. If the Giants’ cornerback play can improve this year, this could be one of the most improved defenses in the league. The presence of Lawrence, Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux will give Carter some great matchups to wreak havoc as a rookie. Perhaps the Giants could’ve gone offensive line here, but Carter’s upside as a pass rusher, in that front seven, is hard to turn down."
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