Generational talent and potential top-three pick Abdul Carter will not participate at the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine this week but is sending letters to teams from Dr. Dan Cooper that he has been cleared to resume training and will be cleared for his pro day on March 28, per Ian Rapoport.
The edge rusher played through a severe shoulder injury in Penn State’s College Football Playoff semifinal game against Notre Dame.
Carter shows elite-level power and speed off the edge, demonstrating himself as the best edge rusher in his class and possibly the best player in the draft. Carter recorded 12 sacks, 43 solo tackles, 24 tackles for a loss, two forced fumbles, and four passes defended.
“We fully expect Abdul to be recovered in time to work out at his pro day at Penn State and he will perform at a very high level,”his agent Drew Rosenhaus, said. “Carter will partake in the physical exams and interviews with teams at the combine.”
Carter missing the Combine impacts the New York Giants, considering they won’t get to see him participate in all of the drills and strength activities that the rest of the edge rushers are doing. While Big Blue searches for a quarterback at the draft, he becomes a legitimate option for them at No. 3 if both Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders are off the board.
He is also in play if the Giants elect to address their need for a quarterback a different way, in free agency or via trade. The Tennessee Titans and Cleveland Browns, who own the Nos. 1 and 2 picks in the draft ahead of the Giants, could be in the market for a quarterback as well.
Teams may try to trade up in front of the Giants to find their franchise quarterback, too, which could leave Big Blue with Carter.
