Shane Bowen knows there’s already a problem with New York Giants rookie edge-rusher Abdul Carter. It’s to do with how the third-overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft is being used.
Carter has been moving all across formations, and while Bowen thinks “he’s evolved,” the play-caller also admitted “there is a balance. If his fastball is rushing on the edges, we’ve got to get him some pitches out there. But he’s also gifted at rushing inside,” per the New York Post’s Dan Martin.
While the latter revealed “Bowen added they know his strength is rushing from the outside,” the Giants are yet to fully commit to turning Carter loose in the areas where he does his best work.
It’s a curious policy, but Bowen is having to allow for the other talent within a crowded rotation on the edges. Where Kayvon Thibodeaux has responded well to stronger competition, and where Brian Burns has flashed signs of dominance ahead of his “toughest challenge” yet.
As well as the veterans are playing, it’s Carter who is ultimately expected to be the premium game-wrecker. That expectation increases the pressure on Bowen to come up with a better use plan.
Giants Can Streamline Things for Abdul Carter
He’s only played three games, but this isn’t the first time how the Giants use Carter has been questioned. Those questions involved his involvement in another phase of the team, but how the former Penn State stud is deployed on defense has more serious implications for Big Blue.
Burns and Thibodeaux are capable, sometimes even formidable, bookends, but Carter has the upside to become something special. The 21-year-old is already topping this year’s rookie class of pass-rushers in a key statistic, according to The 33rd Team.
Turning those pressures into sacks is the next step for Carter, and the more reps he gets simply rushing the passer off the edge, the more efficient and productive he’ll become. Making that happen will require Bowen streamlining Carter’s on-field responsibilities.
Shane Bowen Needs to Put Less on Rookie Star
Bowen has been content to use Carter’s range and athleticism to have him be a matchup equalizer against mobile quarterbacks. So Carter has usually played as a spy from the middle of the field at the linebacker level.
While the role has partly been about covering injuries, the Giants have asked Carter to do a little too much work outside of his primary remit. Instead, Carter is spending too much time inside.
It’s a discrepancy that’s left Josh Cohen of CBS Sports confused, particularly during Week 3’s 22-9 defeat to the Kansas City Chiefs and dual-threat signal-caller Patrick Mahomes.
As Cohen put it, “I suppose I understand wanting to use Abdul Carter’s athleticism to spy Mahomes. But I’m not so sure I understand playing him 40+ snaps at off-ball LB. Situationally maybe, but 40+ snaps? These are all 1st downs.”
Those numbers are an indictment of Bowen’s scheming. He’s keeping Carter away from his main role, hunting down quarterbacks with speed around the corner.