Getty A former NFL sacks leader has tipped rookie Abdul Carter to snap a 44-year drought for the New York Giants. The New York Giants used the third pick in the 2025 NFL draft to select Abdul Carter , hoping he’ll become their most dominant edge-rusher since Lawrence Taylor. It’s a lofty expectation, but a former NFL sacks leader thinks Carter can match LT’s success as a rookie. Shawne Merriman led the league with 17 sacks in 2006, one year after being named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year.