With the 2025 NFL Draft fast approaching, the New York Giants’ interest in Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter appears to be heating up. Carter visited the team last Thursday and Friday, even snapping a photo of franchise icon Lawrence Taylor’s image in the outside linebackers room — a subtle but symbolic moment.
Carter also passed a key hurdle: a positive recheck at the NFL Combine, which helped ease concerns about a lingering foot injury. As a result, he remains firmly in the conversation for New York’s No. 3 overall pick — assuming the Cleveland Browns pass on him at No. 2.
But drafting Carter would raise big questions about the current defensive front. Would he replace Kayvon Thibodeaux as a starter? Would the team shuffle players around on passing downs? Could Carter’s arrival even signal the end of Thibodeaux’s time in East Rutherford?
According to Ralph Vacchiano, the Giants might consider trading Thibodeaux to fully capitalize on Carter’s potential impact. “Trading a 25-year-old pass rusher who had 11.5 sacks just two years ago wouldn’t normally make sense for a rebuilding team — unless they’re convinced they already have his replacement,” Vacchiano wrote.
Abdul Carter
The logic: New York is already heavily invested in Brian Burns and Dexter Lawrence, and Thibodeaux is nearing the end of his rookie deal. If the Giants draft Carter, they might decide not to extend Thibodeaux or pick up his fifth-year option, freeing up cap space and potentially getting valuable draft capital in return.
Still, Thibodeaux’s future isn’t clear-cut. While his sack total dropped to 5.5 last season, partly due to a wrist injury, his underlying metrics improved. He may not fetch “multiple premium picks” in a trade — especially if teams see the Giants as having little leverage post-Carter selection.
It could make more sense for New York to keep Thibodeaux through training camp or even until the trade deadline, allowing GM Joe Schoen to field the most competitive roster possible — especially if he’s trying to save his job. Regardless, if Carter is the best player on the board when the Giants are on the clock, they shouldn’t let Thibodeaux’s presence block the pick.
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