Abdul Carter Switches Jersey, Honors Draft Status

For the NFL, it's March 20th.

Here's what's happening.

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New York Giants' outside linebacker Abdul Carter is switching his jersey from number 51

to number 3 heading into this season.

The change honors his spot as the third overall pick in last year's draft.

That number 3 used to belong to quarterback Russell Wilson, who's now an unrestricted

free agent with no plans to return.

After first wore number 51, after it opened up from teammate Aziz Ojalari, he tried for

number 56, retired for Hall of Famer Lawrence Taylor, but Taylor urged him to claim a current

number instead.

Carter then asked Hall of Honor quarterback Phil Sims for his retired number 11 from

Penn State Days, only to get turned down by Sims' family.

Fans and teammates see this as a smart move tying into Carter's drive.

Some draft experts once pegged him as a possible number 1 overall pick, so the new digits

at personal fuel to chase that level.

In his rookie year, Carter shone in 17 games with six starts, notching 43 tackles, 23

quarterback hits, four sacks, two, forced fumbles, and two recoveries.

Those hits topped all rookies and set a Giants record.

With this fresh number 3 motivation, Carter aims to build on his late season surge and

push toward defensive rookie of the year honors he nearly grabbed.