Abdul Carter has emerged as the top edge rusher entering the 2025 NFL Draft.
A sure bet top 10 pick, this athletic force of nature has the size and speed to make an immediate impact in the NFL. In leading Penn State with 10 sacks this season, Carter has proved to be a disrupter off the edge and any quarterback’s nightmare with his flexibility and strong instincts bulldozing through and past blockers.
With how the NFL has shifted as far as featuring mobile quarterbacks, Carter has that closing speed to chase them down with his overall athletic skills and length as a defender. Standing at 6-foot-3, 259 pounds, Carter has the making of the next defensive superstar drafted out of Penn State.
Yes, watch out Micah Parsons!
2025 NFL Draft: Abdul Carter a natural first-team All-American
Carter’s 10-sack season has landed him his third first-team All-American honor and Big Ten Defensive Player of the year. His tenacity off the edge will have NFL teams in need of an edge rusher maneuvering to land this stud in the 2025 NFL Draft.
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With his ability to tackle in space and drop back in pass coverage, Carter will be a value Day 1 in the right NFL defense. While sky’s the limit as far as his potential, he must get tougher and more reliable against the run and work on his overall technique because raw talent along won’t make him a star at the next level. Savvy NFL offenses will recognize his aggressiveness and exploit it with quick passes, screens and draw plays to offset his explosiveness, if that is even possible.
3 interesting NFL fits for Abdul Carter
Carter should be a top 10, possibly top 5 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. At this point in the 2024 NFL season, there are some teams drafting in the top 10 or just outside of the top 10 who could improve their defenses tremendously with the addition of a player like Carter. Here are three of those teams.
New York Jets: It’s been a disappointing season for the Jets. A team that entered the season as a playoff contender has not only fired both their head coach and general manager but is predicted to be once again in search for a quarterback with the expected departure of Aaron Rodgers.
So, why would they use a top pick on defense?
Well, the Jets have been a defensive minded team over the past decade and an athlete like Carter off the edge would at least power the Jets defense and allow them to spend the rest of the draft taking care of offensive needs. With players like Haason Reddick, Javon Kinlaw and Solomon Thomas on expiring contracts, the Jets may be pressed to draft a stud like Carter and take care of their QB needs through free agency, trade or on Day 2 of the draft.
San Francisco 49ers: The 49ers are another team in the midst of a disappointing 2024 NFL season. Currently with the No. 15 overall pick in the draft, this NFC West squad might be out of range for Carter, but they could end up in striking distance via a trade up or if the teams ahead of them have more desperate needs and Carter slips a bit. If he does, the 49ers should pounce and add a pass rusher to compliment Nick Bosa. A Bosa and Carter duo in the Bay Area could be lethal and bring the dominance back to that 49ers’ front seven.
Chicago Bears: Currently with the No. 9 overall pick in the draft, the Bears will be in position to take the best player available. While offensive line is the top need, if a player like Carter is there for the taking, the Bears should snag him. In Chicago, Carter will immediately approve the pass rush in a division dominated by offense. The Bears have their issues, but they are a team not that far from competing for the NFC North crown. A player like Carter will help them take a step forward in that direction if they can figure things out offensively and find consistency.