Arguably the top defensive prospect in the 2025 NFL Draft, Penn State’s Abdul Carter is projected to soar up the draft board to join an elite pass rusher in the AFC North.
Carter (6-foot-3, 259 pounds) proved to be one of college football’s best EDGE defenders as a junior in 2024. The former four-star recruit was a pivotal piece of a Nittany Lions team that set a program record with a 13-win season and College Football Playoff berth.
After finishing his sophomore season with 4.5 sacks and six tackles for loss, Carter exploded for a career-best 24 tackles for loss (1st nationally) and 12.0 sacks this season. He also added two forced fumbles and four pass breakups.
The Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, native earned unanimous All-America and Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year honors for his efforts.
Penn State Nittany Lions defensive end Abdul Carter.
Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Carter’s knack for creating havoc in the offensive backfield will be a coveted skillset for NFL franchises. However, it remains to be seen if he can jump the talented quarterbacks at the very top of the draft order.
According to CBS Sports’ latest mock draft from Josh Edwards, Carter does accomplish that feat and is taken by the Cleveland Browns with the No. 2 overall pick.
This scenario unites Carter with one of the most dominant defenders in the entire league, $125 million defensive end Myles Garrett. The four-time First-Team All-Pro selection took home NFL Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2023.
Garrett, 29, has two years remaining on his five-year contract that was inked in 2020.
While a Carter-Garrett combination is intriguing, Cleveland passing up a chance at drafting a franchise quarterback is surprising. The Browns are expected to be without former first-round pick Deshaun Watson, as the veteran has re-injured his Achilles tear suffered early this season.
“Cleveland is not going to force a situation at the quarterback position,” Edwards wrote. “Abdul Carter has been a dominant pass-rush presence this season and there should be a lot of one-on-one opportunities across from Myles Garrett.”
Edwards’ projection also includes Miami quarterback Cam Ward going No. 1 overall to the Tennessee Titans and Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders landing to the New York Giants with the third overall pick.
The pre-draft process is only beginning for prospects, and Carter will certainly have the opportunity to prove his worthiness at the top of the draft with a good performance at the combine (Feb. 27-March 2).
The 2025 NFL Draft will take place from April 24-26 in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
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By J.C. Shelton
J.C. Shelton is a college football trending news writer for Athlon Sports.
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