Absorbent layer for an absorbent article

A fluid management layer comprising:

• a first carded nonwoven and a second carded nonwoven, the first carded nonwoven comprising a plurality of absorbent fibers, a plurality of stiffening fibers and a plurality of resilient fibers, wherein the absorbent fibers comprise from about 20 percent to about 60 percent by weight as determined by the Material Composition Analysis Method, wherein the stiffening fibers have a dtex of between 4 and 10, wherein the resilient fibers having a dtex of between 3 and 12, as measured by the Fiber Decitex method;
• the second carded nonwoven integrated with the carded nonwoven, the second carded nonwoven comprising a plurality of absorbent fibers, and at least one of a plurality of stiffening fibers and a plurality of resilient fibers, wherein the plurality of absorbent fibers of the second carded nonwoven is at least two times greater than the plurality of absorbent fibers of the first carded nonwoven, and wherein the fluid management layer has a basis weight of between about 115 grams per square meter (gsm) and about 250 gsm.