New York Giants sign Abdul Carter to four-year, $42.25 million rookie contract

Abdul Carter has officially signed his rookie contract with the New York Giants. His agents – Drew Rosenhaus, Robert Bailey and Jason Rosenhaus – told ESPN’s Adam Schefter the former Penn State star has signed a four-year, fully guaranteed $45.25 million deal.

The Giants selected Abdul Carter at No. 3 overall in this year’s NFL Draft. While playing at Penn State last year, Carter was voted the Nagurski-Woodson Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and the Smith-Brown Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year. He finished the season with 23.5 tackles for loss and 12 sacks.

After the Giants drafted Carter, the 21-year-old talked about the expectations for the Giants’ defensive line. “We’re going to be dominant,” Carter said, per the Giants’ official website. “It’s going to be dope just getting to know those guys as a person, getting to know them as men and then getting closer as teammates, and then once we get on the field together, just wreak havoc.”

Abdul Carter to ‘thankful’ to be with the New York Giants

Carter added: “It’s really just a blessing. It’s an opportunity. I just want to take full advantage of it, celebrate this moment with my family. They helped me get here. I wouldn’t be here without them, all the sacrifices they’ve made. I’m at a loss for words, just really blessed, and I’m just thankful.”

Giants general manager Joe Schoen explained what the team liked most about Carter. “Obviously, we took Abdul, so really excited about adding another pass rusher to the organization,” he said. “Great kid. We spent a lot of time with him, been in constant communication with him. I know you guys asked last time about the foot. We feel good about the foot, where he is. He’s been running, been working out, so we’re not really concerned with that at this point.”

“He’s a great kid, and he’s an exceptional player,” Giants head coach Brian Daboll added. “He’s got great quickness, bend, he’s hard to block. He played off the ball the year before, and he has some instincts in that area, as well, smart. Just had a really good meeting with him, and then he was up here — fun guy to evaluate.”