Stopping Jayden Daniels in Week 1 could prompt a new role for New York Giants star rookie Abdul Carter against the Washington Commanders in Week 1, but another of Big Blue’s first-round draft picks doesn’t want to hear about change.
Former offensive lineman Justin Pugh, selected with the 19th pick in the 2013 NFL draft, took umbrage with a suggestion about Carter from NorthJersey.com’s Art Stapleton. The latter believes the “Giants could use Abdul Carter a little bit in Week 1 as a spy vs. Jayden Daniels in select packages.”
To say Pugh is not a fan of the idea would be an understatement. The 35-year-old posted, “[Expletive] that. Let him go wreak havoc.”
Although Stapleton was at great pains to stress he only envisages the Giants taking Carter away from their pass rush for “a little bit,” there’s plenty of merit to having him spy Daniels. This isn’t even the first time this year’s third-overall pick has been predicted to shadow one of the most dynamic dual-threat quarterbacks in the game.
Giants Can Risk Abdul Carter Change
They drafted him to be a preternatural pass-rusher, but the Giants can risk making a change to Carter’s role for the trip to Northwest Stadium on Sunday, September 7. Even if it means not heeding a warning from history about the first-year pro’s potential production.
Any risk is mitigated by two factors. The first involves the Giants otherwise being loaded with destructive and versatile edge-rushers, including Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux, along with an overlooked moving disruptor who’s key to a scary front.
There’s enough talent in the pass rush department to keep the heat on Daniels even if Carter is playing at a remove from the line of scrimmage. He can handle the responsibility because Carter’s a special athlete with the range, speed and physicality to either force Daniels to stay in the pocket, or else chase down last season’s NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.
Finding answers for Daniels’ two-pronged skill-set was a problem for the Giants last season, but personnel along the front seven is stronger and more flexible this term.
Giants Need Answers for Jayden Daniels
Explosive plays from Daniels proved the difference in both games between these NFC East rivals in 2024. He threw only six incompletions when the Giants last visited the home of the Commanders, a 21-18 win for the hosts in Week 2 last season.
Although Daniels took five sacks, the Giants didn’t put enough heat on in key moments. Like for this 34-yard pass to Noah Brown to help set up the game-winning field goal, highlighted by The Team 980’s Ben Standig.
That Daniels took a heavy beating and still made a clutch throw like this proves it doesn’t matter if the Giants remove Carter from their pass rush for a few snaps. Better defensive coordinator Shane Bowen has a superior plan for stopping Daniels on the run, when he’s arguably at his most dangerous.
The Giants learned that lesson the hard way at MetLife Stadium in Week 9, when the Commanders won 27-22. New York’s defensive front, including Burns (0), simply couldn’t catch Daniels, per Nate Tice of Yahoo! Sports.
Putting a box around Daniels has to be the priority for the Giants. It can’t just be about rushing the passer in waves.
A more subtle approach will involve keeping Daniels beset with pressure, while also maintaining eyes on the Commanders’ most-talented player. Carter is best-equipped for the latter job.
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