2025 NFL Scouting Report: Abdul Carter

Prospect Summary:

After Micah Parsons moved on to the NFL, the Penn State defense did not lose the presence of a fast, physical, and dynamic edge rusher because Abdul Carter had that presence immediately. As a true freshman, Carter was a rotational player making only six starts, but he still tallied 56 tackles with 10.5 tackles for a loss, 6.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and four passes batted in his debut season. As a sophomore, Carter had 48 tackles with 5.5 tackles for a loss, 4.5 sacks, an interception, a forced fumble, and five passes broken up. In 2024, Penn State used Carter more as an edge rusher, and that paid off with a superb season of Carter harassing the quarterback. In 2024, Carter had 68 tackles with 12 sacks, 17.5 tackles for a loss, two forced fumbles, and four passes broken up while playing banged up.

For the NFL, Carter is a dynamic quarterback hunter who is a lethal pass rusher off the edge. With a tremendous get-off, Carter has explosive speed off the edge as he fires off the ball with superb first-step quickness. Carter is extremely fast to blow by offensive tackles and get upfield to cause quick penetration into the pocket. Carter can beat tackles with sheer speed off the edge, as he is extremely fast. On top of being fast, Carter has a repertoire of moves with an impressive rip move, speed to power, and swim to the inside. He has functional upper body strength to shed blockers and is capable of using his hands and feet at the same time. Carter has excellent instincts and feel as a rusher, showing good play recognition to redirect and read plays well to know when he can fire off his landmark and hunt down the quarterback when he lines up as an off-the-ball linebacker. Carter is a tremendous pursuit defender who plays hard and packs a punch when he gets there. He is strong and physical and has the ability to take over and dominate football games.

As a run defender, Carter plays hard and is very good in pursuit. He shows the strength to take on and shed blocks. He also demonstrated the ability to drop into pass coverage as a traditional off-the-ball linebacker. The only real knock on Carter is that he lacks the size to be a three-down base end in the NFL. At his size, he could have issues holding up as a run defender against offensive tackles that outweigh him 50-80 pounds. Carter will have to be a hybrid defender who plays some linebacker in base sets and lines up as an edge rusher in the subpackage.

In this analyst’s opinion, Carter is the best prospect in the 2025 NFL Draft. I think he could be a devastating pass rusher who consistently produces double-digit sack seasons and is a game-wrecker for his defense. He is worthy of being a high first-round pick in any draft class. I think he will be a pro bowler and dynamic pass rusher early in his career. In the 2025 NFL Draft, Carter looks poised to be selected in the top five.