Abdul Carter was possibly the best defensive player in the country last season, and has a case to be the number 1 player in general in the NFL 2025 draft. Carter was a threat to Penn State last season, leading the entire nation in losses tacle (24) to obtain all-American honors of the first team.
The twice selection of the first All-Big Ten team, Carter had the third most (66) pressures and the seventh more catches (12.0) throughout the FBS last season. A former supporter, Carter made the change to Edge Rusher before the start of last season in Tom Allen’s defense, playing 300 snapshots in the defensive wing compared to 317 in the external supporter and 87 in the internal supporter.
A passenger corridor at the next level, Carter has a great opportunity to be selected No. 1 in general in this year’s draft (and the first Penn State player selected No. 1 in general from Courtney Brown in 2000). Where are the probable landing points for Carter?
These are five logical landing points for one of the best Draft players:
Tennessee has the general selection number 1 in this draft, and can go in a lot of different directions with the selection. The Titans need a franchise field marshal, an offensive Tackle and an open receiver. They also need a edge corridor, after finishing tied in 29th place in catches (32.0) and 29 in the pressure rate (28.9%).
Carter would be a welcome addition to a defense that needs a proven passes corridor to obtain after the field marshal. If Tennessee does not change from the number 1 place and the best player is available, that player can be a carter.
Tetairoa McMillan 2025 landing parts of the NFL Draft: Classification of five best settings for the Top WR prospect
Garrett Podell
Cleveland Browns
The Browns will need a passes corridor, whether Myles Garrett is left in Cleveland or not, but most likely you are looking for a long -term replacement for Garrett. Cleveland was the best NFL team in pressure rate last season (41.6%), but that percentage will not be so high when Garrett leaves.
Of course, Browns need a field marshal, but they also need depth in Edge Rusher. This is where Carter enters, a main selection that will be selected at number 2 in general, especially if Tennessee becomes a field marshal or travis hinter in number 1.
Having general selection number 4, Patriots need a lot of help in multiple positions. New England needs to add some offensive talent to Drake Maye, but the Patriots also have to underpin a pass race that ended in 32nd position in the NFL in captures (28.0) and the 31st in pressure rate (28.1%).
Patriots have general selection number 4, and Carter may not be there when it is their turn to choose from. They can play the waiting game to see the two best quartbacks (Shedeur Sanders and Cam Ward) get out of the board. Carter can be there for them at number 4, and Patriots can satisfy a need while taking the best available player.
The Panthers had the worst defense in the NFL last season, and one of the worst pass units. They finished 32º in the NFL in pressure rate (25.2%) and 29 in the percentage of sack (5.7%), which needs a passes corridor in the center of its reconstruction on that side of the ball.
Carter will not be close to number 8, so the Panthers would have to be aggressive and change the first five to get it. Panthers need a lot of help in multiple positions, so this will probably not happen, even if Carter is a natural adjustment for the defense of Ejiro Evero.
The Jaguars have a new defensive coordinator in Anthony Campanile, and one of the best passes corridors in football in Josh Hines-Allen, along with a former general selection number 1 in Trayvon Walker. Why would Jacksonville need another passes corridor in Carter?
Even with the talent in the pass race, Jacksonville was 30º in the league in sack rate (5.5%) and 27 at the pressure rate (29.6%), which should change under Campanile, but the jaguars would be one of the best Cumshot passes with Carter, Hines-Allen and Walker. Defense would instantly improve as a result.
Jacksonville has the number 5 team, so there is an external possibility that the Jaguars can get Carter if they stay.
