The New York Giants may be zeroing in on a game-changing defender in this year’s NFL Draft — but there’s a catch. According to buzz leading up to draft night, Penn State’s Abdul Carter is on their radar with the third overall pick. And while his talent is undeniable, so are the question marks surrounding his health.
Carter had a monster season in 2024, earning All-American honors while racking up 24 tackles for loss and 12 sacks. ESPN’s top draft analysts are nearly unanimous on his upside — with some even calling him the best overall player in the class. His transition from linebacker to full-time edge rusher has scouts drooling over his speed, burst, and raw power off the line.
But it’s not all smooth sailing.
Carter suffered a shoulder injury during Penn State’s playoff run, and while he played through it, the issue sidelined him from drills at the NFL Combine. During medical testing, doctors also discovered a stress reaction in his right foot — an injury he says he never even noticed during the season.
“I never had no symptoms, no pain,” Carter told reporters. “It didn’t bother me then, and it doesn’t now.”
Still, that’s two injuries heading into the draft process, and it’s enough to give some teams pause. NFL insider Albert Breer even listed Carter as one of the top medical red flags in this class. Combine that with concerns over his lean body mass — something some teams use to predict long-term durability — and the risk becomes real.
Despite the health flags, the Giants appear willing to roll the dice on Carter’s ceiling. If he stays healthy, he has the tools to become a cornerstone of their defense. But if the injuries linger or pile up? This could be a classic boom-or-bust scenario.
With the draft quickly approaching, all eyes are on Big Blue to see if they’ll take the risk. Carter might just be too good to pass up — even with the baggage.
Injury Concerns Cloud Giants’ Interest in Star Edge Rusher Abdul Carter
