July 30, 2026, 3:59 p.m. ET
When the New York Giants selected Penn State linebacker Abdul Carter with the third overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft, they felt they were getting a generational player. Carter was being compared to another recent Nittany Lions linebacker, All-Pro Micah Parsons, and expectations were high.
But the Giants weren’t ready for Carter, and maybe he wasn’t ready for them last year. He played in every game but didn’t begin to register meaningful stats until later in the season.
Many pointed to the disarray on defense last year under coordinator Shane Bowen and the shuffling of Carter all over the field for his slow start. Once he got settled under interim coordinator Charlie Bullen once Bowen was fired, he began to deliver in a big way.
This summer, Carter is the Giants’ starting outside right linebacker, and he is taking over team drills like the player the Giants thought he could be. He is putting the team’s best offensive lineman, left tackle Andrew Thomas, through his paces early and often.
“He’s had two good practices. He’s doing everything well right now,” head coach John Harbaugh said after practice.
Expert NFL picks: Exclusive betting insights only at USA TODAY.
The Giants also see Carter as a player they can get creative with.
This is good news for the Giants. They are deep at linebacker at the moment with Pro Bowler Brian Burns on the outside left and former Pro Bowler Tremaine Edmunds in the middle next to this year’s top draft pick, Arvell Reese.
Former starters Kayvon Thibodeaux and Micah McFadden, two extremely capable players, are in reserve.
