GREEN BAY, Wisconsin — The New York Giants honed in on defense with their first pick in the NFL Draft on Thursday night, selecting Penn State defensive end Abdul Carter with the No. 3 overall pick, while the Jets nabbed offensive tackle Armand Membou at No. 7.
Carter, who led the country with 23 1/2 tackles for loss and had 12 sacks last season, bolsters a Giants defense that already has solid pass rushers in Kayvon Thibodeaux and Brian Burns and a strong D-line that includes Pro Bowler Dexter Lawrence.
The speedy and explosive Carter was the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and a unanimous All-American pick last season and steadily saw his draft stock soar.
Carter, a native of Philadelphia, was originally a traditional linebacker during his first two seasons at Penn State before moving to defensive end last year. The move paid off as the 6-foot-3, 250-pound Carter’s athleticism and elite first step off the ball immediately made him one of college football’s most dominant pass rushers.
The Giants later traded their way back into the first round to get their quarterback of the future, selecting Mississippi’s Jaxson Dart with the No. 25 overall pick they acquired from Houston. New York sent the Texans its second-round pick (No. 34), a third-round pick (No. 99) and a third-rounder in next year’s draft.
General manager Joe Schoen said Russell Wilson will remain the starting quarterback, giving Dart time to develop.
As for the Jets, entering the draft with several needs, including at right tackle, new general manager Darren Mougey and coach Aaron Glenn opted to add another big, physical building block for the offensive line.
The addition of Membou comes a year after New York drafted Olu Fashanu with the 11th overall pick. Fashanu started at both offensive tackle spots last year, but played well late after he took over on the left side for the injured Tyron Smith. If Fashanu stays at left tackle, it would appear Membou would take over on the right side.
The Jets have an opening at right tackle after Morgan Moses signed with New England as a free agent last month. New York also has Carter Warren, Max Mitchell and Chukwuma Okorafor who could play right tackle, but the 6-foot-4, 330-pound Membou could be a plug-in and play option.
You can watch round one of NFL Draft action Thursday night on ABC 7.
Rounds two and three will take pace on Friday, starting at 7 p.m., and rounds four through seven will take place starting at noon on Saturday.
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