Let’s take a quick step back. Heading into the 2025 NFL Draft, the New York Giants held the No. 3 overall pick, were in desperate need of a spark, and had a fanbase demanding a transformative move. A quarterback? Very possible. Travis Hunter? Even more appealing.
But when the Jacksonville Jaguars traded up to snag Hunter at No. 2, the decision became clear. No more high-risk, high-reward picks. No Shedeur Sanders curveball. Just a straightforward opportunity to take the top defensive talent on the board. That player was Abdul Carter out of Penn State—who the Giants took without hesitation.
And now, only days after the draft wrapped up in Green Bay, one of the most respected voices in scouting is calling Carter the safest and most impactful pick in the draft class. Giants fans, this might be the guy we’ve been waiting for.
ESPN’s Matt Miller Believes Carter is a Future Star
There’s no downplaying it—Carter is generating serious buzz, and it’s justified. ESPN draft analyst Matt Miller didn’t mince words when asked who he sees as a guaranteed future NFL star from the 2025 class:
“Maybe it’s an obvious pick since he was my top-rated player, but his fit in New York is perfect. He’s explosive, versatile, and thanks to Dexter Lawrence II and Brian Burns up front, Carter won’t face constant double teams early on.”
Miller’s point is key: Carter doesn’t need to be the cornerstone from day one. He’ll be able to grow alongside proven defensive talents, making his transition smoother while still being a disruptive force. The situation is ideal—the expectations are grounded, the potential is sky-high.
With Hunter off the board and no quarterback worth reaching for at No. 3, GM Joe Schoen did what the Giants haven’t always been known for: showing discipline. He stuck to the draft board and selected the best overall player—an elite pass rusher with genuine superstar upside.
Sure, Hunter is the flashier pick. But while the football world obsesses over his two-way talent in Jacksonville, Carter is stepping into a stacked defensive line in New York where he won’t have to do everything. He just needs to do what he’s always done: cause chaos. At Penn State, he notched 12 sacks and led the nation with 24 tackles for loss last season.
Carter brings Micah Parsons-level explosiveness, wears a number reminiscent of Lawrence Taylor (though LT’s iconic No. 56 remains untouched), and has the kind of aggressive athleticism that turns solid defenses into elite ones. With Lawrence, Burns, and Kayvon Thibodeaux drawing attention, Carter should have plenty of opportunities to shine from the start.
Analysts across the board—from Mel Kiper Jr. to Bucky Brooks to Pro Football Focus—praised the pick. Some even called him the most NFL-ready defender in the draft.
Travis Hunter may be the headline-grabber, but Abdul Carter could be the league’s next breakout star. And if his rookie year mirrors the kind of impact Malik Nabers had, the Giants could be building something truly special on both sides of the ball. Things are trending upward in East Rutherford.
