New York Giants first-round pick Abdul Carter wants to wear Lawrence Taylor's No. 56

New York Giants first-round pick Abdul Carter has his eyes set on one particular retired jersey number with his new team. It’s one with a storied history in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

Carter, whom the Giants selected with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, told Bleacher Report’s live draft show that he’s thinking of taking jersey number 56, the number of legendary Giants pass rusher Lawrence Taylor.

Dallas Cowboys edge rusher – and fellow former Penn State product – Micah Parsons asked Carter whether he’d take his college number (11) for the G-Men, but the first-rounder informed his fellow pass rusher he had other plans.

“I don’t know, 56 sound real good, but we gotta have a conversation,” Carter said.

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Parsons – along with the rest of the Bleacher Report crew – loudly exclaimed at Carter’s revelation.

“I respect the hell out of that, dog. That would be some legendary stuff,” Parsons told Carter.

Taylor, who was the Giants’ selection with the second overall pick in the 1981 NFL Draft, played for 13 seasons in the NFL, all with New York. He was an eight-time All-Pro, 10-time Pro Bowler and became the first defensive player to unanimously win the NFL MVP award in 1986. Taylor was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a member of the Class of 1999.

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The Giants retired Taylor’s number in 1994, which presents a roadblock for Carter’s suggestion to wear the iconic No. 56. However, there is recent precedent for a Giants player to wear a previously retired jersey number.

New York unretired Ray Flaherty’s jersey No. 1 last year for 2024 first-round pick and wide receiver Malik Nabers with the permission of Flaherty’s family.

Carter finished the 2024 season with 12 sacks and an FBS-leading 23.5 tackles for a loss. He’ll join a Giants pass-rush unit that already includes 2022 first-round pick Kayvon Thibodeaux and two-time Pro Bowler Brian Burns.

New York finished the 2024 season with a 3-14 record but had 45 sacks total, tied with the Green Bay Packers for eighth most by a team.

Later on Thursday night, the Giants also traded back up into the first round to select Mississippi quarterback Jaxson Dart with the No. 25 overall pick.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Abdul Carter jersey number: First-round pick wants No. 56