The New York Giants chosen Penn State defensive finish Abdul Carter with the No. 3 total choose within the NFL draft Thursday night time.
Carter, who led the nation with 23 1/2 tackles for loss and had 12 sacks final season, bolsters a Giants protection that already has strong move rushers in Kayvon Thibodeaux and Brian Burns and a robust D-line that features Professional Bowler Dexter Lawrence.
The speedy and explosive Carter was the Massive Ten Defensive Participant of the Yr and a unanimous All-American choose final season and steadily noticed his draft inventory soar whereas additionally drawing comparisons to former Penn State star and present Dallas Cowboys standout Micah Parsons.
Carter, a local of Philadelphia, was initially a conventional linebacker throughout his first two seasons at Penn State earlier than transferring to defensive finish final yr. The transfer paid off because the 6-foot-3, 250-pound Carter’s athleticism and elite first step off the ball instantly made him certainly one of school soccer’s most dominant move rushers.
The Giants, together with many different groups, envision Carter as a dominant pressure within the NFL, too. And with New York having signed Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston in free company, quarterback wasn’t a urgent want for basic supervisor Joe Schoen and coach Brian Daboll.
So, with Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders out there and at instances in the course of the previous few months rumored to be a goal of the Giants, New York as a substitute selected so as to add one other key piece to its protection with Carter.
He didn’t take part in on-field drills on the NFL mix in Indianapolis in February due to a shoulder harm he suffered in Penn State’s win over Boise State within the Fiesta Bowl. Carter additionally was recognized with a stress response in his proper foot in the course of the mix.
He’s anticipated to be positive for the NFL season, and groups weren’t scared off by the accidents.
And Carter actually doesn’t lack confidence.
In the course of the mix, he left no doubts as to who he thought was No. 1 among the many draft’s prospects.
“I feel like I’m the best player in the country and the best player should be picked first,” he mentioned. “It’s the work I put in with my dad, who trained me, and all the sacrifices I made, I know I’m the best.”
On April 11, Carter met with Giants coaches on the crew’s facility for certainly one of New York’s in-person visits with prime prospects. Carter, in a little bit of foreshadowing lower than two weeks earlier than the draft, posted an image of Corridor of Fame linebacker Lawrence Taylor, who’s broadly considered one of many biggest and most dominant defensive gamers in NFL historical past.
Carter will now get his probability to make his mark on the NFL and create his personal legacy with the Giants.
