Abdul Carter did not post the production many expected last season after the New York Giants made him the No. 3 overall selection in the 2025 NFL Draft. NFL analysts expect that to change in 2026.
Carter was recently named as the Giants’ non-quarterback MVP candidate by Kevin Patra of NFL.com. He wrote:
As a rookie, Carter might have netted just four sacks, but he led Big Blue with 72 QB pressures — seventh-most in the league, per NGS — and a 15.4 percent QB pressure rate. The edge rusher showed improvement
down the stretch, logging 3.5 of his four sacks in the final five weeks. With a strong get-off and more seasoning, Carter should put up bigger numbers in 2026. The Giants upgraded the surroundings for new defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson, which should provide more opportunities for Carter to cause havoc on a consistent basis after ebbs and flows last season.
Carter was also named to NFL.com’s All-Under 25 team, this time by Nick Shook. He wrote:
Carter arrived with great expectations as a top-three pick and attracted attention for his winding journey toward selecting a jersey number, then seemed to fly under the national radar throughout most of his rookie season. Those paying closer attention, however, understood that Carter had a strong debut campaign. Despite recording just four sacks in 2025, Carter finished seventh in quarterback pressures with 72 (per NGS), just five fewer than Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett recorded. He earned enough Defensive Rookie of the Year votes to finish fifth, and if he can convert more of his pressures into sacks, he’ll quickly climb the popularity charts. He turns 23 in October, too, so he has plenty of time to do so.
Valentine’s View
Giants fans can only hope these prognostications are right, and that Carter will have a monster season. The talent is unquestionably there for that to happen. The well-documented issues Carter had last season with being late, or missing practices and meetings entirely, were growing pains associated with maturity. A year later, and with an accomplished head coach better equipped to keep him on the right path, Carter could indeed by headed for a breakout season.
