Will New York Giants outside linebacker Abdul Carter meet the high expectations surrounding him as a breakout candidate for the 2026 season?
Carter’s talent was on full display during his rookie year in 2025. The Penn State product recorded 4.0 sacks and two forced fumbles, finishing as a finalist for the AP Defensive Rookie of the Year award. His quality of play, however, told a more compelling story than the statistics alone, leading many to expect a significant jump in his production in 2026.
ESPN’s Seth Walder is among those who expect big things, and he predicts that Carter will record at least 12.0 sacks this coming season.
Abdul Carter will record at least 12 sacks
On the surface, Carter’s rookie season might have looked like a disappointment, with the No. 3 pick delivering just 4.0 sacks. But his pass rush win rate at edge rusher was 20.7% — fifth best among qualifiers and sandwiched between Will Anderson Jr. and Myles Garrett. That suggests the Giants edge rusher was winning on a down-to-down basis. Given that, I think the sacks will come.
Carter has the opportunity to establish himself as one of the league’s premier edge rushers in 2026 with a double-digit sack total. His explosiveness and refined technique from last season suggest that a higher output — 12 or more sacks — is well within reach as he enters the year as a more polished player.
This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: NFL insider predicts Giants’ Abdul Carter will notch at least 12 sacks
Reporting by Matt Legros, Giants Wire / Giants Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
