The New York Giants selected defensive end Abdul Carter with the third pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, and he has officially signed his rookie contract with the team. It’s a big step forward, as he can now begin practicing with his attention fully on his teammates and the start of his NFL journey.
Carter became the 21st first-round pick to sign his rookie deal and is one of two Giants first-round selections. Let’s take a look at how his contract compares with other top picks from the 2025 draft class.
Abdul Carter Officially Signs His Rookie Contract With the New York Giants
Getting Carter officially signed is a major step for the Giants’ defense. The No. 3 overall pick agreed to a four-year, fully guaranteed $45,255,180 deal with New York. He’ll now be able to get his reps in and officially begin his NFL career.
Carter was projected to be the No. 1 overall pick heading into the NFL Combine, but an injury changed his draft outlook. The Tennessee Titans ended up selecting Miami quarterback Cam Ward with the first pick. Ward officially signed his rookie deal on May 21 — a four-year, $48.7 million contract with the Titans.
Another big name from the class is Shedeur Sanders, who was also once projected as a first-rounder. Instead, he slid all the way to the fifth round, where the Cleveland Browns picked him at No. 144. He has also signed his rookie deal — a four-year, $4.6 million contract, much lower in value.
Giants first-round pick Abdul Carter signed his four-year, fully-guaranteed $45,255,180 deal, per his agents Drew Rosenhaus, Robert Bailey and Jason Rosenhaus. pic.twitter.com/Awqvv6Mwkb
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter)
Each pick in the NFL Draft comes with a slotted contract value, which sets the maximum amount a rookie can sign for based on draft position. All first-round picks also come with a fifth-year team option. Teams must decide whether to exercise the option, which is worth the average salary of the third- to 20th-highest-paid players at that position. The option’s value can also be impacted by performance and playing time.
MORE: Cam Ward Contract Details
Carter will be eligible for that fifth year, which could greatly boost the total value of his deal — while also delaying his chance to hit free agency. There’s a lot of value in that extra year for teams, and this deal could end up being a steal based on the talent Carter showed at Penn State.
Armed with defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence and fellow edge rushers Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux, Carter is set up for success in New York.
