Giants' Abdul Carter aims for NFL Defensive Player of the Year
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 4, 2026, 5:26 PM
Last updated Aug 4, 2026
Abdul Carter, entering his second NFL season with the New York Giants, has set a goal of being named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year. The edge rusher was selected with the third pick in the 2025 draft and experienced early struggles but finished his rookie season strong, recording 3.5 sacks in the last five games. Carter has shown notable improvement in training camp, particularly in his understanding of play schemes and blocking techniques, as noted by teammate Andrew Thomas. New defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson and head coach John Harbaugh will work to maximize Carter's potential this season.
- •Carter's rookie season featured early challenges and discipline issues.
- •He recorded 3.5 sacks in his last five games of 2025.
- •Carter aims for the Defensive Player of the Year award in 2026.
- •Teammate Andrew Thomas praises Carter's improvement in practice.
- •John Harbaugh and Dennard Wilson are overseeing Carter's development.
- 5:26 PMYahoo Sports — Giants' Abdul Carter sets the goal of being the NFL Defensive Player of the Year
"Abdul Carter is setting a lofty goal for himself. “I want to be Defensive Player of the Year,” Carter said. Carter goes into his second NFL season with the New York Giants having come a long way from the edge rusher selected with the third pick in the 2025 draft and who asked Hall of Famer Lawrence Taylor to wear his No. 56 — and was denied.
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