It's officially official for the New York Giants.

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The Giants kept it simple when they took the Penn State edge-rusher.

Early in the predraft process, Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders was a popular name for New York. Over time, Sanders' stock slid, and it became clear there wasn't a QB aside from Miami's Cam Ward who was worthy of a top-five selection.

With Ward and reigning Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter gone when the Giants were on the clock, Carter was the best prospect available.

The 2024 All-American ranked second on Bleacher Report's final big board with an overall grade of 9.1. As a junior with the Nittany Lions, he had 12 sacks and 24 tackles for loss.

New York totaled 45 sacks, which tied for eighth in the NFL, and two-time Pro Bowler Brian Burns still has four years left on his $141 million extension. Upgrading the pass rush wasn't necessarily a top priority.

It's doubtful many fans were disappointed to see Carter holding a Giants jersey on draft day, though.

"The New York Giants avoided the allure of taking Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders," B/R's Brent Sobleski wrote in his immediate reaction on draft night. "Instead, they selected Abdul Carter, the one player who had an argument as the class’ best player over Travis Hunter, whom the Jacksonville Jaguars selected one pick earlier.

"A year ago, the Giants made a big play for Brian Burns to inject some life into their pass rush. With Carter playing opposite Burns and Dexter Lawrence wrecking the middle of an offensive line, New York's old identity is new again. The G-Men will be built around a mega-talented defensive front."