Abdul Carter Got Benched Twice But His 34 Pressures Are Still Blowing Up the Giants’ Edge

Abdul Carter got benched *twice* last season for missing team activities. Let that sink in. The dude was the No. 3 overall pick just last year, and they benched him. He played 76 percent of the defensive snaps, sure, but only snagged four sacks. Yeah, that’s not the kind of production you expect from a top draft pick. But hold up, because here’s where it gets wild: Carter *also* tied for 13th across the entire league with a whopping 34 pressures. That’s not a bust, folks, not even close to it.

The Giants’ Edge Drama and Carter’s Crossroads

You gotta wonder what’s going on in New York with Carter. That kind of pressure creation from a guy who also missed team activities and got benched? It’s baffling. Especially when you consider Kayvon Thibodeaux, who’s been playing opposite Carter. Thibodeaux has missed a staggering 12 games since 2024 and seen his sacks and pressures drop off a cliff since his breakout in 2023. Now his name is flying around in trade chatter, with Big Blue reportedly wanting a second-round pick for him. If they pull the trigger and trade Thibodeaux, Carter gets a clear, wide-open path to a monster breakout year, playing alongside Brian Burns. Even if Thibodeaux sticks around, Carter’s still gonna see plenty of time. But the real key here? He needs to commit to preparation before game days. That’s the make-or-break for this kid.

K’Lavon Chaisson’s Long Game Finally Paying Off Big

Remember K’Lavon Chaisson? He was basically a ghost for four unproductive years with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Seriously, it felt like a lifetime. But then he started showing some serious flashes in the second half of 2024 with the Las Vegas Raiders, racking up four sacks between Weeks 13 and 17. That was the start. He signed a one-year, $3 million deal with the New England Patriots in 2025 and kept grinding, hitting career highs with 7.5 sacks, 23 pressures, and 10 tackles for loss. He started 10 of 16 games and was on the field for 67 percent of the defensive snaps. Now, the Washington Commanders just dropped an $11 million one-year deal on him. They also signed Odafe Oweh to a massive four-year, $96 million contract. Oweh has 17.5 sacks over the last two seasons, so he’s gonna draw a ton of attention, leaving Chaisson with golden one-on-one chances. Defensive-minded head coach Dan Quinn knows how to turn pass-rushers into stars. Chaisson, in a lead role, is primed for an even bigger explosion.

Jalyx Hunt: The Sleeper Who’s Picking Apart Opposing Offenses

Okay, forget the big names for a second, because Jalyx Hunt in Philadelphia is a sleeper that could straight-up shock everyone. He’s not even guaranteed a lead role, with the Eagles bringing in Jonathan Greenard and picking up Nolan Smith Jr.’s fifth-year option. But get this: Greenard and Smith *both* missed five games last season due to injuries. And Hunt? He’s got way more upside than Greenard, who just turned 29 in May, and he showed more promise than Smith last year, period. Hunt’s made bigger strides as a pass-rusher than Smith, too. But the real jaw-dropper? The dude forced a few turnovers last season, pulling in *three interceptions*! How many edge-rushers are doing that?! His special teams snap count dropped from 56 percent in 2024 to 23 percent in 2025, a clear sign he’s becoming a defensive force. This guy could lead the Eagles in sacks for consecutive seasons, and nobody’s talking about it enough.

So, there you have it, folks. These three edge-rushers are not just on the verge, but absolutely primed to go off. Can Abdul Carter finally get his head straight and convert those pressures into sacks, becoming the star the Giants drafted? Will K’Lavon Chaisson make his new, high-value contract pay off, feasting on one-on-one matchups thanks to Oweh? And can Jalyx Hunt continue his insane turnover streak and take over the Eagles’ pass rush? The 2026 season is gonna be wild, and these guys are about to put on a show. Get ready.

This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.

Originally reported by Bleacher Report.