Tony DelGenio at Big Blue View asked the question: Should the New York Giants draft Penn State edge defender Abdul Carter with the third overall pick if they can get him? With Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux already at the edges, how do the Giants justify using a top 3 pick on another pass rusher? It’s a fair question but Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer has some insight that might change your mind.
The Current Draft Buzz
According to Breer, the consensus among league insiders is that Cam Ward will go #1 to the Tennessee Titans and the Cleveland Browns are leaning towards taking Colorado’s Travis Hunter at #2. If that’s true, the Giants would get Abdul Carter, who is considered one of the most transformative prospects in this draft.
Breer said Hunter might be the “cleaner” fit for the Giants because he can play both wide receiver and cornerback, but the Giants view Carter as a “workable” option despite the challenges. After all, too many pass rushers has never been a bad problem.
How Would the Giants Use Abdul Carter?
Breer noted the Giants could use Carter like they did in the good old days under defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo. Back then they stacked elite pass rushers like Osi Umenyiora, Michael Strahan, Justin Tuck and Mathias Kiwanuka on the same roster—even when it seemed redundant. The philosophy was simple: You can never have too many pass rushers.
For Carter specifically, the Giants see a hybrid role. He’d play off-ball linebacker on early downs, using his athleticism and coverage skills, then transition into a pass-rushing role alongside Burns, Thibodeaux and Dexter Lawrence in specialized packages.
“Imagine an offensive line trying to block Brian Burns, Abdul Carter, Kayvon Thibodeaux and Dexter Lawrence in a NASCAR-type package,” Breer said. “It’s not perfect, but it’s very workable if you believe Abdul Carter is as special as everyone thinks he is.”
Challenges and Trade-Offs
This looks good but it’s not without its issues. Veteran linebackers Bobby Okereke and Micah McFadden might see their playing time reduced if Carter plays off-ball linebacker. But Breer said those are the kind of “good problems” teams want to have—especially when you draft a player like Carter.
The key will be if defensive coordinator Shane Bowen can replicate the success of past Giants defenses by using multiple elite players. If he does, this could take the Giants defense to new heights.
Why He’s Worth the Risk
Despite the depth chart congestion, Abdul Carter’s versatility and upside is enticing. He can play pass rusher and off-ball linebacker so the Giants have options on how to use him. And if he lives up to the hype, he and Burns and Thibodeaux could be the most feared defensive line in the NFL.
Ultimately, it’s up to the Giants if they view Carter as a generational talent worth taking over other needs. If they do, we might see a total overhaul of the Big Blue defense.
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