With the NFL Draft nearing, the New York Giants are preparing to face some serious dilemmas with the 3 overall selection. Linebacker Abdul Carter is quickly establishing himself as the guy for their pick. The versatile player, who excels at both cornerback and wide receiver, presents an intriguing possibility for the Giants, particularly given his impressive performance and skill set. While he’s had some injury woes, his health should do nothing to stop him from becoming a hot name and potentially a dangerous selection.
Last season, Abdul Carter drew attention starting on the edge with a phenomenal 19.6% pressure average. This remarkable performance put him on the map as one of the elite pass rushers in college football. His knack for blowing up plays has the eyes of most teams, including the Giants, paying attention. Evaluators consider him a generational prospect, and ESPN’s draft analysts all agree, with each of them naming him the best non-quarterback draft prospect.
Neither has Carter’s road to the draft been totally smooth sailing. He did have a significant shoulder injury that clearly limited his performance. The reason for that was he had difficulty showcasing his abilities at the combine and pro day. At the NFL scouting combine, doctors discovered a stress reaction in his foot. With this astronomical find came some worry for his physical health. As reported by his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, Carter is now “100%” and can work out today if the need arises.
Carter, of course, has been under Giants scrutiny through the private workout and pre-draft process with the giant WR class. Team officials are excited about using him on offense and defense. It’s an indication of just how versatile he is. Chief head coach Joe Schoen about the approach. He reiterated this last week, saying, “We can take whoever the best player is on the board at that time. This flexibility may prove to be critical as the Giants consider their possibilities.
Beyond his interior pass-rushing prowess, Carter’s stats jump off the page. He combined for 1,450 total snaps last season between cornerback and wide receiver—marking the most in all of college football last season. This deep experience will only make the Giants’ decision making all the more critical and impactful. Schoen further elaborated on Carter’s potential role within the organization, indicating, “We would not be afraid to play him on both sides of the ball.”
The Giants have been linked to Penn State LB Abdul Carter throughout this draft cycle. That would indicate to them that they view him as a serious option for their number one overall selection. The unaesthetic selection helps one smart team move more players onto their defensive unit and provide a larger offensive counter. This can be a win for the team on several fronts.
As we count down to draft day there is no shortage of opinions on how teams should be making their picks. One high-level NFL executive remarked, “If they’re smart, they sit, take the best available player and try to save their jobs with Russell Wilson.” This sentiment reflects the reality of making well-timed, strategic moves that can create ripples of change throughout the industry.
Only time will tell, but Carter’s unique skillset and versatility might just win the Giants over and get them to pick him. His ability to rush the passer along with his demonstrated ability to cover allows for him to be a versatile weapon. This willingness to consider all options shows a smart, deliberative approach to improving their slimmed-down roster overall.
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