Penn State’s standout EDGE defender, Abdul Carter, is making waves ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft. Widely considered the top defensive prospect, Carter is projected to rise rapidly on draft boards, potentially landing with an elite AFC North team.
Standing at 6-foot-3 and weighing 259 pounds, Carter solidified his reputation as one of college football’s premier pass rushers during his junior year in 2024. His contributions were instrumental in Penn State’s record-setting 13-win season and a College Football Playoff berth.
After a promising sophomore season with 4.5 sacks and six tackles for loss, Carter erupted in 2024, recording a nation-leading 24 tackles for loss and 12.0 sacks. His dominant performance also included two forced fumbles and four pass breakups, earning him unanimous All-America honors and the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year award.
Carter’s ability to disrupt opposing offenses makes him a coveted asset for NFL teams. However, whether he can surpass the highly sought-after quarterbacks in the draft remains uncertain.
In CBS Sports’ latest mock draft by Josh Edwards, Carter is projected to be selected by the Cleveland Browns with the No. 2 overall pick. This selection would pair him with Myles Garrett, one of the league’s most dominant defenders. Garrett, a four-time First-Team All-Pro and 2023 NFL Defensive Player of the Year, still has two years left on his lucrative five-year contract signed in 2020.
A potential Carter-Garrett duo would create a formidable defensive front for the Browns. However, Cleveland’s decision to pass on drafting a franchise quarterback is noteworthy. The Browns face uncertainty at the quarterback position following Deshaun Watson’s re-injury of his Achilles earlier this season. This development adds intrigue to the team’s draft strategy and raises questions about their long-term plans at quarterback.
