The Giants went back to the basics with their first round selection the 2025 NFL draft, taking Penn State defensive end Abdul Carter.
Known as a player with a high motor and a sack specialist, Carter recorded 12 sacks and 23.5 tackles for loss last season for the Nittany Lions.
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| Abdul Carter, NFL Draft. Getty Images. |
The Giants can now pair Carter with incumbent defensive end Kayvon Thibodeau, who had his fifth year option picked up by the Giants on Thursday night according to Adam Schefter.
"I had a good feeling where I was going to go. All the stuff I have been working my whole life for, it's a blessing," Carter said after the pick was made.
The Giants could definitely use the help on the defensive side of the ball. They had only 45 sacks as a team, and the most sacks were 8.5 by Brian Burnes. If Carter lives up to his pedigree this could be a slam dunk for Joe Schoen and Brian Daboll, who desperately need one.
QUARTERBACK?
There is always the chance the Giants trade back into the first round, but do they really want to mortgage picks for either Sheduer Sanders or Jaxson Dart? Sanders is dropping as we speak, and some thing he might not even get picked up in the first round. Dart is an interesting piece. Some say the Steelers or Saints had interest, but nothing so far. If the Steelers pass on Dart, he could be there in Round 2.

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