Abdul Carter’s Rising Draft Stock Will He Be the No. 1 Pick in 2025 NFL Draft?

Abdul Carter, the standout pass rusher from Penn State, has had a remarkable season, tallying 12 sacks, 68 total tackles, and forcing two fumbles while dominating opposing offenses. With his impressive performance, Carter has quickly emerged as one of the top prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft. But the question remains: could he go No. 1 overall?

Recent NFL mock draft projections have Carter being selected between the No. 1 and No. 4 picks, with several teams eyeing the explosive edge defender. As the 2025 NFL Draft approaches on April 24, the Penn State star is generating significant buzz, and a few franchises are positioning themselves to land him.

Potential Landing Spots for Abdul Carter

• Cleveland Browns (No. 2 Pick): Theo Mackie of The Arizona Republic projects Carter to the Browns, who would pair him with Myles Garrett to form one of the most formidable pass rush duos in the league. The Browns, even with their offensive needs, might not be able to pass up a talent like Carter, especially after his dominant 2024 season, where he recorded 12 sacks and 24 tackles for loss.
• Tennessee Titans (No. 1 Pick): CBS Sports’ Chris Trapasso envisions the Titans selecting Carter first overall. The Titans have a glaring need for a pass rusher, and Carter’s performance in 2024 drew comparisons to Micah Parsons, solidifying him as a premium edge rusher. With Carter’s explosive playmaking ability, he could become a game-changer for Tennessee’s defense.
• New England Patriots (No. 4 Pick): In The Palm Beach Post, Joe Schad suggests that Carter could fall to the Patriots. With their strong defensive foundation, New England could benefit from adding a pass-rushing force like Carter to elevate their front-seven.
• Cleveland Browns (No. 2 Pick): According to NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein, if the Browns decide to go defense in the draft, Carter could be the pick. With his explosive play and ability to disrupt offenses, Carter would be an immediate upgrade for Cleveland’s defensive line.
• Tennessee Titans (No. 1 Pick): Pro Football Focus notes that Carter’s impressive stats, including a 92.3 pass-rush grade and a 99th percentile ranking in pass-rush metrics, make him a strong contender for the No. 1 pick. For the Titans, selecting Carter could dramatically improve their pass rush, which ranked near the bottom of the league in 2024.

Carter’s consistent dominance and ability to generate pressure on the quarterback have made him one of the most coveted prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft. As teams look to bolster their pass rush, the question now is whether Abdul Carter will land at the top of the draft or if another team will snag him before the competition. Either way, it’s clear that the Nittany Lions’ star is on the verge of a bright future in the NFL.