Many believe the New York Giants are locked in on Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter with the third overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft—but a bold trade scenario proposed by Luke Easterling of Athlon Sports could change that.
Easterling suggests a deal with the Chicago Bears, where the Giants would move down a few spots but remain inside the top 10. In this scenario, Chicago would jump up to select Carter, while New York would gain two early second-round picks in return and send back a late third-rounder.
Easterling questions whether drafting Carter makes sense for the Giants, given their current edge rushers Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux. He notes that the Bears have already addressed most of their needs through free agency and trades, positioning them to make an aggressive move for a top-tier pass rusher like Carter.
While it’s an intriguing proposal—especially with the potential of adding two high-value second-round picks—it’s worth noting that the Giants haven’t patched up as many roster holes as the Bears have this offseason. Even if this trade leads to drafting a player at a position they’ve bolstered through veteran signings, GM Joe Schoen will need to weigh whether trading away a shot at Carter is worth the return.
Giants to Make ‘Blue-Chip’ Pick After Trade With Bears
If the Giants followed Luke Easterling’s suggested trade and used the pick to draft Michigan cornerback Will Johnson, the move could ultimately be seen as a smart pivot—not just a fallback.
Easterling frames the pick as the Giants filling “a big need on defense with a blue-chip talent.” Johnson, despite being slowed by nagging injuries last season, has shown top-tier physical traits, sharp instincts, and excellent ball skills—hallmarks of a potential shutdown corner.
That kind of talent fits a real area of need for New York. While they added Paulson Adebo in free agency, his promising CB1 ability comes with an extensive injury history. And Deonte Banks, the team’s 2023 first-rounder, has yet to consistently deliver on his potential. That uncertainty makes Johnson an appealing choice.
Johnson also fits well into the defensive philosophy of coordinator Shane Bowen. At 22, he excels in zone coverage—Bowen’s preferred style—and has the versatility to press when needed. ESPN’s Matt Bowen describes him as “more smooth than sudden,” but notes his strong ball production with nine interceptions and three defensive touchdowns in his college career.
If Johnson stays healthy, he could solidify the cornerback position and elevate the defense as a whole—making this trade-down strategy a win both in terms of value and scheme fit.
Landing Will Johnson near the end of the top 10 would represent a significant step in revamping the Giants’ secondary—but it wouldn’t come without risk.
The most obvious concern is Johnson’s health. A turf toe injury cut his final season at Michigan short, and for a player who relies heavily on footwork and fluid movement, that’s no small issue. Pairing him with Paulson Adebo—another talented cornerback with a history of injuries—would put a lot of faith in two players whose availability can’t be guaranteed.
It’s a bold bet for GM Joe Schoen, one that could either shore up a long-standing weakness or leave the Giants in the same spot they’ve been in: searching for consistency at cornerback.
Ironically, even the “safer” option at No. 3, Abdul Carter, isn’t without medical flags, raising the stakes on every direction the Giants could take. Whether it’s sticking with Carter or trading down for Johnson and extra picks, Schoen will be weighing upside against durability in a big way.
Giants Can’t Ignore Abdul Carter Doubts
Injury concerns also shadow Abdul Carter, who’s recovering from a stress fracture in his foot. However, his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, has assured teams that the injury should not be a significant issue going forward. Following a medical recheck in Indianapolis, it was confirmed that surgery won’t be necessary, and the injury is healing well. Rosenhaus stated that it “should be a non-factor with the teams at this point,” which is encouraging news for anyone considering Carter as a top prospect.
This update is particularly beneficial for the Giants, who have been frequently linked to the dominant edge rusher. Carter is a game-changer with his explosive pass-rushing abilities, but the Giants have already bolstered their front-seven depth in free agency, adding Chauncey Golston from the Cowboys and meeting with one of defensive coordinator Shane Bowen’s favorites.
While the pass-rush unit is well-stocked, none of the players in the rotation possess Carter’s unique combination of dynamism and versatility. His potential impact might be too great for the Giants to pass up, even with the possibility of acquiring extra draft picks in a trade. In the end, Carter’s raw talent and ability to disrupt might make him too tempting for GM Joe Schoen to overlook, especially as the draft approaches.
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