The New York Giants appeared to tackle the NFL Draft with a dual focus, led by general manager Joe Schoen. On one hand, they looked ahead by trading up in the first round to select quarterback Jaxson Dart, the former Ole Miss star, despite already having a crowded quarterback room. On the other hand, they addressed more immediate offensive needs by adding former Arizona State running back Cameron Skattebo alongside Tyron Tracey, aiming to inject versatility into their offense.
Yet, it was their top pick that could prove to be the most game-changing move in the entire draft. With the No. 3 overall selection, the Giants landed Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter—widely regarded as the top prospect in the class. ESPN draft analyst Matt Miller ranked the selection as the eighth-best of the draft, praising both the value and the fit.
“Getting my highest-rated player at No. 3 is tremendous value,” Miller wrote. “Carter is a natural fit for a Giants defense already featuring stars like Dexter Lawrence II and Brian Burns. He won’t need to carry the unit immediately and can be deployed similarly to how Micah Parsons was used as a rookie—lining up at linebacker, rushing the passer, and filling various roles.”
Whether Carter ends up opposite Burns on the edge or slides into an inside linebacker role, the Giants are counting on him to be a major contributor right away, especially as the defense looked to add impactful talent this offseason.
