Every dominant pass-rusher in the NFL lives on a diet of one or two signature pass-rush moves, and it looks like New York Giants rookie Abdul Carter has already found his. It’s a “gold” standard move graded highly by a three-time former NFL Defensive Player of the Year.
Carter showed off the move at training camp at Sunday, July 27, per Marshall Green of Chat Sports. The highlight soon caught the attention of ex-Houston Texans and Arizona Cardinals defensive end J.J. Watt, who gave his take on the exciting rep, noting how the decision to “Spin off the chipper when OT sets too deep/opens his hips is quality knowledge & application of pass rush principles. Generally OTs will set more shallow/inside when they know there’s chip help for outside speed rush. But if they give the inside, spinning underneath is gold.”
Watt’s recognition of Carter’s intelligence and intuition to win a one-on-one matchup is significant. There are few better authorities on rushing the passer than Watt, who twice logged 20-plus sacks in a single season and finished his career with 114.5 quarterback takedowns.
His endorsement of Carter’s “knowledge” beyond his tender years bodes well for the 21-year-old the Giants hope will have a transformative impact on their defense.
Abdul Carter Already Living Up to Billing for Giants
Carter has attacked training camp with a frenzy, showcasing what the Giants need to see from the third-overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft. Namely, legitimate potential to take over games on a weekly basis and force offenses to make special plans to stop or avoid him.
It’s a high bar, but Carter is putting his best foot forward toward reaching it. Specifically, he’s ticking all the boxes as a potentially elite pass-rusher.
A rep like this one captured by Charlotte Carroll of The Athletic showed Carter’s preternatural speed off the edge. As well as his agility to dip underneath a blocker and close on the passer in a hurry.
Put this speed around the corner alongside Carter’s inside spin move, and the Giants have something truly special. Especially when they also have a varied plan for moving the former Penn State star around to create havoc for blocking schemes.
The strategy is one more reason why Carter already looks set to be the focal point of a loaded edge-rusher rotation. Even at the expense of another top-five draft pick.
Giants Reshaping More Dynamic Edge-Rusher Rotation
Carter’s arrival has heralded a more dynamic pass rush for the Giants. So did an under-the-radar move during 2025 NFL free agency to sign a secret star who can win from anywhere along the front.
Those moves have helped leave 2022 fifth-overall pick Kayvon Thibodeaux as the odd man out. He remains an intriguing physical talent, but one who has never quite lived up to his draft status.
Now, Thibodeaux looks more valuable to the Giants as a potential trade chip. Especially when one scenario has an NFC contender parting with premium draft capital.
The Giants could trade Thibodeaux and feel confident about Carter, Golston and Brian Burns still putting enough heat on the pocket. Yet, having four starter-ready edge-rushers is better than having three, provided defensive coordinator Shane Bowen knows how to share the reps.
However Bowen chooses to do that, he’ll be wise not to keep Carter off the field for long.
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