Can Abdul Carter make his impact on the NFL right away? New York Giants fans hope he does, and NFL Mocks has a bold prediction that will make for one of the most memorable rookie seasons in NFL history.
Selected with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Carter enters the league as a generational talent coming off the edge. On a Giants’ defense that already have players who can get to the quarterback, the Penn State product will have an opportunity to be an impact player in a multitude of ways when he is on the field.
His most dynamic attribute will be his ability to be a nightmare for opposing quarterbacks, but he is athletic enough to make plays in coverage and the speed to get to ball carriers in open space. Already impressing in offseason NFL activities, the scary part about Carter is that he is still learning the game. Once he really gets his feet under him in the NFL, sky is the limit. It will be sooner rather than later that he will draw comparisons to a Giants legend and NFL Hall of famer.
NFL legend advises Giants rookie to make his own mark on the league
With his generational talent and where he was selected in the draft, there will be a lot of pressure on Carter or at least hope that he can be the next dominant pass rusher in Giants history. That will involve a lot of those comparisons to the great Lawrence Taylor. Carter asked the Taylor to wear No. 56 which would’ve added to that comparison. The legendary sack master’s response will end up being the best advice for the former Penn State star.
“He has to be the player that he is,” Taylor told ESPN after Carter was selected. “He can’t be another Lawrence Taylor. Well, he may be better than a Lawrence Taylor, who knows. But he has to make his mark. It’s up to him.”
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When it comes to declining Carter’s request to wear his signature No. 56, Taylor went on to encourage Carter that he will be there supporting him all the way. That is a part of Carter making his own mark in the organization as well as the NFL. He must be his own player and not be too caught up in following the footsteps of a legend.
Abdul Carter will chase 1999 NFL record
A way to make his own mark is to do something that hasn’t been done by a rookie edge rusher since 1999. Carter will likely play multiple position with the Giants. With both Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux also in the mix, Giants’ defensive coordinator Shane Bowen will need to find unique ways to exploit Carter’s talent. He could play more inside linebacker in certain packages, but his versatility may lead him to being more of an outside linebacker. He could follow the path of fellow Penn State alum Micah Parsons in that respect.
Wherever he lines up, Parsons will find his way to the quarterback and not only shatter the Giants rookie record in sacks which is 8.0 but tie a rookie sack record set by Jevon Kearse with 14.5 sacks. This is due to his ability to play inside and outside linebacker. With both Burns and Thibodeaux on the field on the outside, it will open lanes for Carter to rush the quarterback up the middle.
It is anticipated that Carter will record a significant number of sacks during his rookie season, establishing himself as an impactful presence on the field and a formidable challenge for opposing quarterbacks.