Giants OTAs wrap up for the 2025 season with rookie Abdul Carter dominating and Russell Wilson named QB1. See how Carter, Burns & Adebo are reshaping the defense.
StatPro NFL Beat Reporter
As the New York Giants closed the book on their final OTA session Thursday, a clearer picture of the 2025 squad began to emerge. The offseason workouts concluded not with a whimper, but with a buzz of excitement, largely thanks to a rookie who already looks like a seasoned pro. While Head Coach Brian Daboll officially put any quarterback questions to rest, the real story was the palpable energy brought by new faces who are expected to redefine this team on both sides of the ball.
Abdul Carter is being praised as 'the best defensive prospect in the draft.'
The defensive side of the ball is where the biggest transformation is taking place. Rookie linebacker Abdul Carter, hailed as a potential steal and the best defensive prospect in the 2025 draft, was a wrecking ball throughout OTAs, impressing coaches with his explosive speed and natural pass-rushing instincts. He's expected to form a nightmare trio for opposing quarterbacks alongside Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux. The excitement isn't just limited to the front seven. CBS Sports just named the signing of cornerback Paulson Adebo as the team's best offseason addition. He's slated to start opposite Deonte Banks, providing a much-needed veteran presence to a secondary that was a liability in 2024. The strategy is clear: pair a lockdown secondary with a terrifying pass rush.
Brian Daboll made it official: Russell Wilson will enter training camp as the undisputed starting quarterback. This puts an end to any early speculation, allowing the veteran to take command of the offense. Behind him, the competition is heating up. Jameis Winston brings experienced backup credentials, while local hero Tommy DeVito remains in the mix. However, the most intriguing name is first-round pick Jaxson Dart. While analysts expect Wilson to lead the team in 2025, many see Dart as the potential future of the franchise, and his development will be a key storyline to watch throughout the preseason.
This revamped roster will be tested immediately. The 2025 schedule is a monster, featuring eight road games in the first thirteen weeks. The Giants will also be under the lights for three prime-time matchups, adding to the pressure. After a late bye week following a Monday nighter against the Patriots, the team will finish with three of its last four games at home, a stretch that could make or break any playoff aspirations. With only nine total wins over the past two seasons, the heat is on for GM Joe Schoen and Coach Daboll to prove this rebuild is finally ready to produce results.
With OTAs in the rearview, all eyes now turn to mandatory minicamp. The pieces are being put in place, from a solidified QB1 to a potentially ferocious defense. But the questions are just beginning. Can this revamped roster survive a brutal early schedule? Can Russell Wilson recapture his magic? And will young guns like Abdul Carter be the difference-makers this team desperately needs? The offseason is about hope, and for the first time in a while, there's a tangible buzz around this team. The path ahead is difficult, but the foundation looks stronger than it has in years.
