The former Nittany Lion is expected to make a immediate impact in Shane Bowen’s defense.
Abdul Carter hasn’t played a snap in the NFL yet, but he’s already becoming one of the most talked-about rookies in football. The Giants’ first-round pick out of Penn State currently leads all defensive rookies in betting odds to win the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year (DROY) award.
And it’s easy to see why.
The Giants are plugging Carter into a front seven already built to cause chaos. With Dexter Lawrence anchoring the interior and edge threats like Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux demanding attention, Carter is walking into a defense with structure, experience, and opportunity.
He’s also bringing a unique skillset that New York intends to use creatively. At Penn State, Carter played both as an off-ball linebacker and a pass-rusher and that dual role will continue in the NFL. On early downs, he’s expected to help against the run. On passing downs, he’ll kick outside to bring heat off the edge. That kind of deployment not only suits his athleticism, but also puts him in position to impact games right away.
It’s that combination fit, versatility, and upside that has Carter ahead of some other big name rookies in the early DROY race.
That race, however, is far from a one-man show.
Atlanta Falcons linebacker Jalon Walker is another name to watch closely as he’s expected to be a centerpiece of Atlanta’s long-struggling pass rush. While he wasn’t a full-time edge rusher at Georgia, the Falcons believe he can make a similar impact to Carter in a hybrid role especially under head coach Raheem Morris, who’s had recent success developing SEC talent into productive NFL defenders.
Baltimore Ravens edge rusher Mike Green, one of the most talented pass-rushers in the 2025 class, slipped to the later rounds due to off-field concerns. But with his explosiveness and bend, he could thrive in a designated pass-rush role. If the Ravens give him the right reps, Green has the tools to fill the stat sheet.
Arizona Cardinals defensive tackle Walter Nolen, meanwhile, may benefit from the easiest path to the quarterback straight up the middle. Lining up next to veterans like former Giant Dalvin Tomlinson and Calais Campbell, Nolen brings a violent first step and the kind of one-gap penetration that disrupts entire offenses.
Then there’s Cleveland Browns interior lineman Mason Graham. Who was a force to be reckoned with the Wolverines over the last few seasons. He’ll line up next to Myles Garrett in Cleveland, which should give him the chance to win one-on-one battles all season long. If he adjusts quickly to the speed of the NFL, he could become the AFC North’s newest nightmare.
Each of these rookies enters the league with a chance to make an immediate difference. But among them, it’s Carter who’s drawing the most early confidence from analysts, oddsmakers, and his own coaches.
If he delivers on the potential he showed at Penn State and thrives in a defense built to highlight his strengths he could turn that confidence into the league’s top rookie honor by season’s end.
