When the New York Giants selected Georgia linebacker Lorenzo Carter in the third round of the 2018 NFL draft, they felt they had a steal.
Carter was a highly-recruited high school player who largely underachieved in college but there was no doubt, the talent was there. The right NFL team would be able to get Carter back on his star trajectory.
The Giants could have been that team as Carter showed flashes in his first two seasons but a change in coaching staffs and a devastating Achilles injury in 2020 sidetracked Carter.
As he entered his fourth season last September, Carter was an afterthought who was simply on the roster to play out his rookie contract and head into free agency this March.
The Giants seemed unlikely to re-sign Carter — and then still may be true — but his outstanding performance in the final month of this season could have them rethinking their future with him.
Carter recorded five sacks in his final four games and reached up a total of 10 tackles in the season finale against Washington. He also defended a pass in each those games.
After the Giants’ 22-7 loss to Washington on Sunday, Carter was asked about it possibly being his last game as a Giant.
“Yeah, that’s a possibility seeing as it’s my last game under contract, but I’ve really just been thinking about the chances I’ve had with my teammates, getting a chance to go out there one last time with this team and my guys and just competing and just fighting,” Carter told reporters.
And Carter did go out fighting. He showed the Giants what he could be, but was it too little too late? If it were up to him, he’d prefer to stay.
“I love it here. I love it in New York. I love this organization,” Carter said.
“I’ve been blessed to be a part of a great organization like the Giants. I’d love to come back. (Head) Coach (Joe) Judge, he has something going. I like what he’s doing with it. I’ll just let the rest of that shake itself out in these next couple months.”
So, why the late bloom after years of inconsistent play?
“I’ve grown into my game, just grown into it. Being comfortable, being healthy and just the coaches, we’re all working together and coming up with a game plan that works,” Carter said.
But those coaches may not be around for long if the Giants decide to go in a different direction, Carter may not have a home to come back to.
