No one argued against the draft selection of Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter as the right choice for the New York Giants. The third overall pick was considered one of the best players in the 2025 Draft. ... and this has the potential for a big payoff now on defense.
And on offense? The Giants have also used first-round picks in the last two years to grab Jaxson Dart and wide receiver Malik Nabers.
That can pay off as well.
And in a way, all of these selections might come with unintended consequences and important knots ... some of which may change the team's appearance after the 2025 season.
Carter's arrival means that the Giants possess one of the best defensive lines in the sport. He is paired with stars like Brian Burns and former top-five pick Kayvon Thibodeaux. The trio can be one of the league's most feared edge rushing groups.
But some think they won't be together for long.
Thibodeaux is consistently written about as a contractual odd-man out. That is the unintended consequence of getting the "best player available" from this April's draft.
Many analysts have already predicted that the Giants could move on from Thibodeaux as early as this offseason. ... and that is now established in NFL circles as a rumor worth monitoring.
Indeed, Aaron Schatz of ESPN is predicting the Giants will make one final roster move before the season kicks off, with the deal of the former Oregon prospect being the focus. ...
And with help for two young offensive pieces as the reasoning.
"The Giants can also trade Thibodeaux to a contender that needs help on the edge, such as the Packers or the Lions, and probably get a Day 2 pick in return," Schatz said. "More draft capital would be a huge help for 2026 when they are trying to find as many strong offensive players as possible to build around quarterback Jaxson Dart and wide receiver Malik Nabers."
Carter's arrival means that New York's defensive line should be one of the best in the league this year. But the argument made here is that a trade is merited because of how it helps the offense. ... a notable twist on a buzz-worthy rumor.