Abdul Carter Mock Draft Roundup | Top NFL Draft Landing Spots for Penn State Pass Rusher

Abdul Carter is surely disappointed in how the Fiesta Bowl turned out on a personal level, after suffering an injury, but the season as a whole has been all that he could have asked for.

The defensive end has climbed up draft boards with his 11 sacks, two forced fumbles, and 63 total tackles in 2024.

Even for the short time that Carter played in the Fiesta Bowl, he made a difference. After his injury, the Boise State offense found a rhythm. Was that coincidence? Or a direct result of Carter leaving the game?

Either way, his services will be in high demand in the NFL, and he’s expected to be scooped up early.

Here is a roundup of Abdul Carter’s projected pick position:

Abdul Carter NFL Mock Draft Positions

CBS– Prospect ranking: 8

Team: Carolina Panthers

Position: 7

Analyst: Ryan Wilson

Analysis: N/A

Team: Carolina Panthers

Position: 6

Analyst: Josh Edwards

Analysis: “Carolina’s pass rush has been abysmal, and there are not really any building blocks towards the future. Abdul Carter has been the most effective getting after the quarterback this season. The Philadelphia native has registered 11 sacks and two forced fumbles this season.”

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Tankathon– Prospect Ranking: 5

Team: Carolina Panthers

Position: 6

Analyst: Tankathon

Analysis: N/A

Yahoo! Sports– Prospect Ranking: N/A

Team: Cleveland Browns

Position: 5

Analyst: Nate Tice and Charles McDonald

Analysis: “Here’s the pass rusher with the most upside in this draft. Carter is twitchy and can bend around the corner. He still has to work on his overall consistency, especially against the run, where he can take himself out of too many plays. The Browns have gigantic questions looming at QB and even the future of their OL beyond 2025, but the thought of pairing Carter with Myles Garrett is exciting. And terrifying for offenses.”

Pro Football Network– Prospect Ranking: N/A

Team: New England Patriots

Position: 2

Analyst: Dalton Miller

Analysis: “Abdul Carter’s ascension as a legitimate pass rusher in 2024 has been surreal. Every single week this young man seems to show sharper hands and a better plan.

In his only full season on the edge, Carter has already amassed ridiculous production and technical prowess to go along with teleportation levels of closing speed and tabletop ducking bend.

Don’t worry. Folks will question his ability to set the edge as a run defender. As a 250-pound defensive lineman, it’s only natural for that to be the narrative.

It’s malarky!

Carter plays the position with gladiatorial levels of physical violence. He possesses heavy hands and enough length to maintain leverage on the edge. He’s a complete player who also provides an added layer because he showed as much coverage process as most linebacker prospects in a given draft class.”

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Abdul Carter Mock Draft Takeaways

Average position: 5

Most picked team: Carolina Panthers

Abdul Carter appears to be following in Micah Parsons‘ footsteps.

First, as a terror at Penn State, Then, as a high draft pick in the NFL draft.

Parsons has been a one-man wrecking crew for the Dallas Cowboys, and Abdul Carter has the potential to do the same. If he does get drafted by the Carolina Panthers, he’d need to be able to be a one man defensive line with how poor Carolina’s pass rush has been. Regardless, it will be fun to see the defensive playmaker playing on Sundays.

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