As the 2025 NFL Draft approaches, the Tennessee Titans appear poised to lock in Miami quarterback Cam Ward as the No. 1 overall pick, setting the stage for an intriguing battle at the top. With Ward likely off the board, the Cleveland Browns and New York Giants-holding picks two and three-face a choice between two outstanding talents at the top of the draft class: Colorado’s Heisman-winningTravis Hunter and Penn State’s dominant defensive end Abdul Carter. Whispers around the league, echoed by Deion Sanders himself, suggest that Hunter could be Cleveland’s target at No. 2, bringing his rare versatility to the Browns.
That would leave Carter, who’s in New York this week to tour the Giants’ facility, as a prime candidate to land with Big Blue at No. 3. Pairing him with Dexter Lawrence, Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux could forge a defensive line that keeps opposing quarterbacks awake at night, but their offense is in doubt with Russell Wilson new at the helm. This shakeup could push Shedeur Sanders, the second-best QB prospect in the class, out of the top three or even the top five, leaving him for teams like the Jets at seven or the Saints at nine, unless a blockbuster trade flips the script.
Carter’s Subtle Message to Giants Nation
Abdul Carter knows how to get a fan base excited. While roaming the halls of the Giants’ East Rutherford facility, he spotted a photo of franchise icon Lawrence Taylor outside a meeting room. Instead of just taking it in, Carter snapped a picture and shared it on his X account, setting off speculation about his intentions. For Giants fans, it felt like a signal, a young star imagining himself in blue, channeling the spirit of a legend. Taylor’s resume speaks for itself: eight first-team All-Pro nods, 10 Pro Bowl appearances, two Super Bowl rings and an astounding 132.5 sacks in 12 seasons, not to mention three Defensive Player of the Year awards and the 1986 NFL MVP.
Carter is no stranger to success either, as his final year at Penn State was a breakout year with 12 sacks, two forced fumbles, 68 tackles, and four passes defensed, earning him unanimous All-American honors and the Big Ten’s top defensive award in 2024. Giants fans see the post as more than a tribute-it’s a tantalizing hint that their No. 3 pick could deliver the next great defender to New York.
Hunter’s Fit in Cleveland, Carter’s Boost for the Giants
If the draft rumors are true, Travis Hunter could transform the Browns at No. 2 overall. His ability to excel as both a lockdown corner and a dynamic wide receiver makes him a rare commodity, and Cleveland could use him all over the place to turn games on both sides of the ball. For the Giants, landing Carter at No. 3 would be a different kind of jackpot. Adding his pass-rushing prowess to an already stacked front with Lawrence, Burns and Thibodeaux could turn New York’s defense into a nightmare for offenses around the league.
The ripple effect, however, could hit Shedeur Sanders the hardest. Once pegged as a potential No. 1, he could slide down the draft order as teams prioritize other needs. Oddly enough, that slide could work in his favor. Falling to a spot like No. 9 with the Saints could pair him with Derek Carr, offering a chance to compete for the starting job while learning from a seasoned pro and new head coach Kellen Moore, a Super Bowl-winning offensive coordinator. For Sanders, a slower start in a supportive system could be the perfect launching pad for an outstanding career.
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