Draft gurus explain why Penn State’s Abdul Carter is worthy of No. 1
The Tennessee Titans would be foolish if they didn’t consider taking Penn State edge-rusher Abdul Carter with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
In a piece published Monday, The Ringer’s Todd McShay told Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer Carter (6-foot-3, 250 pounds) is his No. 1 player in the class and reminds him of Penn State alum Micah Parsons (now with the Dallas Cowboys).
“I’d go with Abdul over [Colorado CB/WR Travis Hunter] because I know definitively what I’m getting,” McShay said. “When you set the bar high with Micah, it makes it easier in same jersey number, same school. It’s the combination of his ability to change directions, the body control, he’s violent with every move, with his hands, he’s explosive. He’s just a damn good football player.”
NFL Media’s Daniel Jeremiah echoed McShay’s sentiments.
“Abdul Carter, I have up on a tier by himself,” Jeremiah told Breer. “I don’t think he’s quite as firm and strong as Micah. I think he plays as fast as he does. He has really good feel and bend at the top of his rush.”
In the past two drafts, a QB (Bryce Young of the Carolina Panthers and Caleb Williams of the Chicago Bears) has gone No. 1 overall.
The 2025 class, however, may not have an elite prospect at the most important position.
Miami QB Cam Ward (6-foot-2, 223 pounds) and Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders (6-foot-2, 215 pounds) are intriguing options, but Jeremiah and McShay said they wouldn’t have been the top passers in 2024.
Tennessee must replace QB Will Levis, who went 2-10 in 12 starts in 2024. Instead of reaching for a QB in the draft, it could sign one in free agency (Sam Darnold of the Minnesota Vikings, Justin Fields of the Pittsburgh Steelers) and take Carter, who had the seventh-most sacks in the FBS in 2024 (12 in 16 games).
Since being drafted No. 12 by the Cowboys in 2021, Parsons has made four Pro Bowls and earned two first-team All-Pro nods. If Carter proves to be the next Parsons, he would be a game-changer for the Titans
