Most ignorant draft pick in history

NFL analyst Stephen A. Smith is not a fan of Abdul Carter asking to wear No. 56 for the New York Giants.

The Giants selected Carter third overall in the 2025 NFL Draft as a star pass rusher. After being picked, he asked to wear No. 56, which was worn by Lawrence Taylor and has been retired.

Carter’s request was denied, and Smith can’t believe a rookie even asked about wearing No. 56 for the Giants.

“Abdul Carter… he’s starting off his NFL career as maybe the most ignorant draft pick in history. This is Lawrence Taylor, my brother… And before you play an NFL game, before you take an NFL snap, you’re asking to wear that number. That is shameful, shameful,” Smith said on First Take.

Smith makes a fair point, as No. 56 is retired for a reason and Carter shouldn’t have even tried to ask to wear it.

Currently, Carter has yet to pick what number he will wear for the Giants. But, it won’t be No. 56 which remains a retired number for New York.

Lawrence Taylor shoots down Abdul Carter’s request to wear No. 56

Lawrence Taylor said no to Abdul Carter’s request to wear his retired No. 56.

Taylor says Carter should try to create his own legacy and do it with his own number. He also wants to see Carter not have to be compared to him if he wears the number.

“He has to be the player that he is,” Taylor told ESPN in a phone conversation. “He can’t be another Lawrence Taylor. Well, he may be better than a Lawrence Taylor, who knows. But he has to make his mark. It’s up to him.

“And I’m hoping that he’s not thinking that, ‘Oh, I got shot down by LT.’ No, it isn’t like that, man. It’s, ‘Hey, I’m with you!’ I mean, I’m the guy that it takes two. I’m going to be two steps behind you and make sure you don’t fall.”

It was a classy response from Taylor, and Carter didn’t have any hard feelings.

Instead, Carter says he will continue to work hard and cement his legacy as a Giants great.

“The worst thing he could say was NO!! My stance don’t change, LT is the [GOAT] nothing but respect… This just gonna make me work even harder!! I love it,” Carter posted to X.

Abdul Carter will be a focal point of the Giants’ pass rush in 2025. Last season at Penn State, he recorded 12 sacks, 24 tackles for loss, and four pass defenses.