Giants edge-rusher Abdul Carter's massive goal may not be attainable

When the New York Giants picked edge-rusher Abdul Carter with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, he arrived with massive expectations. 

There was a belief he was the best, most disruptive player in the class, and that he could help transform not only the Giants defense, but also perhaps the entire organization.

He did not quite deliver that sort of impact as a rookie. 

While he wasn't bad by any means, he managed just five sacks and found himself benched on more than occasion under the former coaching staff.

His goals are significantly higher this season.

Giants' Abdul Carter has his eyes on Defensive Player of the Year honors

Carter said on Friday, via NJ.com's Darryl Slater, that his personal goal for this season is winning the league's Defensive Player of the Year award, while also adding that everything in his rookie season happened the way it was supposed to. 

Carter was benched multiple times during his rookie season due to repeated lateness.

"Just my process and knowing who I can be — and a belief in myself," Carter said. "I know what I’m capable of. I can be whoever I want to be."

It's a big goal, and the Giants were probably hoping (and are still probably hoping) that Carter could one day be that level of player when they selected him. Anytime you take a player, and especially a pass-rusher, that high in the draft, you are doing so with the intent on them becoming a superstar-level player.

But it might not exactly be a very attainable goal in year two of his career. Especially in 2026, when somebody like, say, Myles Garrett is still playing in his prime, and now on a better team with a better supporting cast around him.

Even if his 2026 season does not result in him being the Defensive Player of the Year, there should still be an expectation for him to be a star-level player. 

The Giants have a new voice with John Harbaugh, and with Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux also providing help up front with Carter, the Giants have the personnel to have a very disruptive pass rush. At least on paper. Now they have to do it on the field.