The New York Giants have finally decided on QB1, and let’s just say it’s the football equivalent of ordering the spiciest dish on the menu and hoping for the best. They had no choice but to dive into the chaotic QB market, and in doing so, they’ve ensured that their path to finding a franchise signal-caller will be anything but boring. While the NFL world debates which rookie quarterback they should target at No. 3 overall, the Giants have quietly fixated on a different kind of game-changer—one that doesn’t throw passes but certainly disrupts them. Enter Penn State’s Abdul Carter, the electric EDGE rusher who has captured New York’s imagination and could shake up their entire draft strategy.
The Giants might still draft a quarterback, but Abdul Carter’s presence in the conversation suggests they’re not about to panic into a decision they’ll regret. In a move that all but confirms the franchise is keeping its options open, the Giants are bringing in Jameis Winston on a two-year deal to hold down the fort. The move doesn’t necessarily mean they won’t draft a quarterback, but it does suggest they’re prepared for any scenario. Winston is, well, Winston. His game is a rollercoaster, being the only passer to ever post a 30-touchdown, 30-interception season, epitomizing his proclivity for stretching the field. sometimes within the same drive. The 31YO Browns transfer screams in volatility.
Therefore, urgency under center could force general manager Joe Schoen’s hand. As Fox Sports’ David Helman put it, “I dunno if the Jameis Winston/Abdul Carter Giants will be good, necessarily, but I bet they’ll account for 5-6 amazing RedZone moments during the early Sunday games.” It’s a perfect encapsulation of what the Giants have built—something unpredictable, maybe even reckless, but undeniably compelling.
The addition of Winston buys the Giants some breathing room. They won’t be forced to take a QB at No. 3 just for the sake of it, which is crucial in a class where Shedeur Sanders isn’t viewed as a surefire superstar. Sanders has plenty of upside, but when compared to blue-chip defenders like Carter or even two-way phenom Travis Hunter, he’s simply not in the same tier.
I dunno if the Jameis Winston/Abdul Carter Giants will be good, necessarily, but I bet they’ll account for 5-6 amazing RedZone moments during the early Sunday games.
— David Helman (@davidhelman_) March 22, 2025
That’s the dilemma GM Schoen faces. Does he gamble on a passer he’s not sold on, or does he take the best overall player available and figure out the rest later? New York fans might not love the idea of pushing the QB question down the road again, but Winston’s presence at least provides a temporary solution. And given how volatile this draft class is, that might not be the worst idea.
Where things get truly interesting is how Carter’s arrival could impact the rest of the Giants’ defense. If New York selects him, it would make 2022 first-round pick Kayvon Thibodeaux expendable, according to Pro Football Focus. It speaks volumes about Carter’s upside. If he’s as dominant as scouts believe—a player who could have been the No. 1 pick in a different class—then the Giants should take him without hesitation. However, if he’s merely good rather than truly special, then keeping Thibodeaux and addressing another need might make more sense. It’s a delicate balance, one that could define New York’s draft strategy.
That’s why this pick carries so much weight. If Abdul Carter is truly a generational edge rusher, then the Giants shouldn’t overthink it—just take him and sort out the rest later. But if he’s only a notch below that level, the conversation shifts. At that point, it’s easier to justify rolling the dice on Thibodeaux’s potential rather than hitting reset on the pass rush. The reality is that New York needs to get this pick right, and while the urgency at quarterback is real, reaching for the wrong passer could set them back even further.
The blue and white secured a quarterback for now, but not one who guarantees stability. They have a chance to add a defensive superstar but at the cost of potentially passing on their next franchise signal-caller.
Could Abdul Carter be the reason the Giants move on from Thibodeaux?
Drafting Abdul Carter and making Kayvon Thibodeaux expendable? It’s a fascinating scenario, and PFF seems to think Thibodeaux might be the Giants’ ‘most tradeable asset.’
“The Giants are in a strange place from a roster construction standpoint in that they either have untouchable young players or players who seemingly wouldn’t attract much interest,” wrote Bradley Locker of PFF. “The one player who might fit into an alternate category is Thibodeaux.”
It’s not that Thibodeaux has underperformed—his 72.0 PFF pass-rushing grade last season was solid—but his 593 snaps weren’t exactly dominant starter numbers. Reports suggest the Giants plan to pick up his fifth-year option, which could complicate trade talks. However, GM Joe Schoen could opt to move him now and draft Carter third overall instead.
Pairing a disruptive force like Carter with newly acquired Brian Burns would give the Giants an elite pass-rushing duo. If that happens, does Thibodeaux suddenly become the odd man out? It’s a high-risk, high-reward move.
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