The Giants were prepared for three scenarios with the third overall draft pick.

They knew a good football player would be available no matter what happened, but after it became clear the Titans planned to take quarterback Cam Ward at No. 1, everybody wanted to know if the Giants preferred Travis Hunter or Abdul Carter.

"I said all along we're never going to have to make that decision," general manager Joe Schoen said in a sit-down interview as part of the 2025 season premiere of "Giants Life" presented by Cadillac. "I think that's going to be made for us, which it was."

The Browns deferred the decision. They traded the second pick to the Jaguars, who moved up three spots and selected the two-way Heisman Trophy winner from Colorado.

"One and two did go as we expected, and we had caught wind probably a week before the draft that Travis Hunter was going to go number two and it's probably not to the Cleveland Browns. So, were we positive which team that may be? No. We didn't know but had a pretty good idea of who it was based on previous conversations."

Easy as one-two-three, right?

"It's rare, but unfortunately that's what you get when you're picking three," Schoen said. "So, hopefully we're not picking up there again, but the way the draft played out and the type of player that Abdul is and the fact that we were able to get him at three and the impact that he could make on our team, you couldn't pass on a guy like that."

Schoen added: "Abdul's demeanor, play style, the toughness, the physicality, just the play speed, he jumps off the film. Then his ability to affect the passer, whether it's bending around the edge or up and under or stunts and games, he's got versatility. So, whether it's on the ball, off the ball, spying the quarterback, rushing the passer, we'll be able to use him in a variety of ways."

The monthslong evaluation process made for a relatively straightforward draft night, at least at the top. The tense moments came later when the Giants worked the phones to trade back into the first round and select Jaxson Dart. There will be more on that from inside the draft room in Part 2 of this series.

"That's when it really gets stressful," Schoen said.

But to repurpose a line from Hall of Fame coach Bill Parcells, this is why you lift all them scouting reports.

Those were generated from hours of watching games (both live and in person) and multiple touchpoints with prospects, including all-star games, the NFL Scouting Combine, pro days, "30" visits, and private workouts.

These were all chronicled in "Giants Life" and build up to the moment Hunter was taken second overall, meaning Carter was there for the Giants.

"We were fired up when we found out that Hunter went number two," Schoen said. "Again, it had been a couple weeks building that we had heard Travis was going to go number two, whether it was Cleveland or somebody else. So, you had kind of went through all these scenarios with Abdul Carter as your potential pick based on some further research that we did later in the process. The Monday before the draft when we had some meetings and we came to the conclusion that if Abdul was there, he'd be our guy. How could you not be excited about getting that guy?"

Other highlights and excerpts from the episode…

Abdul Carter Combine Interview – 59 days before the draft

Outside Linebackers Coach Charlie Bullen: Tell us a little bit just kind of your pass rush mindset. What are you thinking? I'm rushing the passer, it's third down, let's go. What's going through your mind?

Carter: My mindset is I try to control every rush. I'm attacking. I'm setting the pace. I'm setting the tone. I'm going to make him react off of me.

Daboll: Do you feel you can play off the ball and on the edge?

Carter: I can play wherever y'all need me.

Daboll. You're a good football player, man. Fun to watch.

Bullen: Do you prefer playing one or the other?

Carter: Off the edge, definitely. My money spot. That's where I feel like I'm at my best, (where) I can impact the team the most. Just my pass rush ability, kind of there's no way you can block me one-on-one, especially for a whole game. Just knowing that, it was the best decision for me."

Daboll: What do you like least about playing football?

Carter: There's nothing I don't like about it. It's really just a blessing.

Bullen: What's your goal as a rookie?

Carter: Well, I'm not there yet. I'm still trying to get there. I ain't there yet, but once I do, I'll get my goals down.

Bullen: That's being where your feet are. I like it. … I think in addition to your physical gifts, your ability to finish really sets you apart from your draft class this year and even draft classes in the past.

…

Schoen: We have (former Penn State tight end) Theo (Johnson) on our team. What would he say about you?

Carter: He would say I'm competitive, but we got into it a lot just being on different sides of the ball. My last game, he just came up to me and said like he gave me his respect. He has my respect. I like Theo.

Bullen: "Ok, so this…"

Carter: "… Wait until I see him again, though. We've got some unfinished business."

Abdul Carter "30" Visit – 13 days before the draft

Bullen in front of the whiteboard in the outside linebackers room: All you can ask for as a rusher is what? What type of matchup?

Carter: One-on-one.

Bullen: You obviously can win on the edge. You obviously can beat guards, and you can beat a center. So you have to learn all five spots. You good with that?

Carter: You can add more if you want.

Inside linebackers coach John Egorugwu and defensive assistant Grant Morgan walk into the room and introduce themselves…

Bullen: This is just a hello, man. Don't let them try and steal you.

Abdul Carter's Parents on private plane to Teterboro Airport – One day after the draft

Christopher Carter: New York picked the best player in the draft. Picked a winner, a great human being, a son that did everything I asked him to do. That's how we got here. So we're living the dream now.

Tina Carter: New York, baby.

Agent Drew Rosenhaus on ride into Carter's introduction at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center

"Listen, nothing against the other considerations or teams, but this was our first choice."

Carter meets Giants legend Carl Banks at the facility

Banks: You're in a good place. Use that talent.

Carter: There's no place I'd rather be.

Banks: Strong tradition. You're the next guy in there, so carry that torch, man. I know you're going to do a good job.