ABDUL CARTER

[MightyGiants]

Since the odds seem to be favoring him (as the elite prospect that will be available at 3) these days:

Here is SIS Scouting Report on him


[color=rgba(50,63,75,var(--tw-text-opacity))]Scouting by
[color=rgba(38,72,191,var(--tw-text-opacity))]Ben Hrkach[/color][/font][/size][/color]
Overall
Abdul Carter is an EDGE in Penn State's variable-front defense that uses pressure-man concepts. While he spent his first 2 seasons as an off-ball Linebacker, Carter excelled in his 3rd year as an edge player, both upright and with his hand in the dirt. He played in all 42 games since stepping on campus and started 35. Carter is an ultra-explosive, bendy edge rusher with fluidity and agility that is rarely seen in prospects. He plays with supreme confidence and finishes every snap with force.

Pass Game
Carter is a high-upside pass rusher that has a tantalizing blend of quickness, agility, and ability to bend the corner. On passing downs, he is unblockable without help and easily blazes past his opponents. Though he doesn't have a deep bag of moves, he is adept at using his inside hand to stay clean while turning the corner with fluidity. Carter likes to give himself a two-way go when closing the gap, as he varies his tempo and can swiftly cross the face of tackles that overset in either direction. While he does frequently win with pure finesse, he flashes independent hands and good grip strength when rushing the passer and in the run game.
Unfortunately, Carter does not show a speed-to-power move. Adding one to his toolkit would make him a devastating pass rusher at the next level. He also struggles against opponents with length, occasionally getting swallowed up or stalling out. Carter does rush relentlessly and wears on his opponents throughout the game, frequently feasting in the fourth quarter. He displays effort in every aspect of his game and when he does get too deep on his rush, he does a great job of retracing and closing on the quarterback in a hurry. When dropping into coverage, Carter moves like a safety and has the long speed to stay with some receivers at the next level. He does lack instincts and it is clear that he is more of an athlete than a football player, but any snap he isn't rushing the passer is a win for the offense.

Run Game
When facing the rush, Carter looks to get his hands on opponents first and has some knock-back ability. While his lack of bulk and power will lead to him getting moved off his spot, Carter shows good lateral strength and is able to strain while reading the backfield. He plays with a natural leverage that helps him uproot tight ends and shock loafing linemen. His agility and balance allow him to split doubles, deftly evade cutting blockers, and be a menace on the back side of plays. Unfortunately, he will take himself out of some plays by trying to win with speed and he gets swallowed up. When he does win on those plays though, he will impact the game with splash plays. As a tackler, Carter looks to attack the ball and has been productive, though there have been times when he needs to just get the runner down.

Last Word
Overall, Carter projects to be a sack specialist immediately at the next level and will quickly be able to make an impact on all 3 downs. His best fit will be as an EDGE in a 4-man front and his impact will be greatest on passing downs on a team that can get him into as many individual matchups on the edge as possible. He will hold up as a base-down run defender, though he has room to add strength and may get moved around early in his career. His athleticism and experience give him some scheme versatility and he can easily be dropped into space or used to carry anyone up the seam. Carter's physicality and intensity will bolster any defense's personality and will be on display on special teams as soon as he steps on the field.

https://nfldraft.sportsinfosolutions.com/players/1082


Here is Bob McGinn's report on him:

1. ABDUL CARTER, Penn State (6-3 ½, 250, no 40, 1): Third-year junior. "Early in the season he didn't show much but he was dominating after that," one scout said. "I'd take (Aidan) Hutchinson. It's two different body types and two different type of twitches. Carter's more twitchy. Hutchinson is stronger, more rangy. Carter can come off the edge and bend better." Started in 2023 as an off-the-ball linebacker before moving to the edge last season. "It's almost like they did Micah Parsons," said a second scout. "I guess those guys don't know how to coach there. They got the top pick in the draft playing inside linebacker last year. He's a legitimate difference-maker. He's rare with his motor and athletic ability. He does get beat up some. He's on the ground too often. He's just going to keep getting better once he gets more reps (outside)." Started 35 of 42 games, finishing with 172 tackles (41 for loss), 23 sacks, 13 passes defensed and five forced fumbles. "He's, like, really good," said a third scout. "He's f-----g quick. He's got a get-off. Fluid. Elite pass rusher. He closes quickly and has range all over the field. In the run game, he's not the most powerful taking on blocks but, xxxx, the run and chase on him, he's all over. But the pass game is where he makes his money."
Spent the off-season rehabilitating foot and shoulder injuries. "He's just what you want up there (top of the first round)," a fourth scout said. "He's a Pro Bowl player. He's got everything you're looking for as an edge rusher. But he's not a quality guy." That scout was one of four personnel people to express reservations about Carter's makeup. "He's not a great worker," said one. "Plays his ass off on Saturday but he's not a great guy during the week because he's so gifted. I give him credit. He got hurt in the Boise State (playoff) game and had no business playing against Notre Dame. Played, and played his ass off. He's a modern, high-maintenance, big-time player. There are similarities to Micah Parsons as a player and as a kid. Micah was probably a little more malicious coming out." Four-year recruit from Philadelphia. Lettered in basketball as a power forward. "Super athletic," said a fifth scout. "There's a little baggage that comes with him. Some people just shrug their shoulders and say it comes with the territory. Other people were a little more concerned with it. Penn State seemed to dial it back because they obviously wanted him to go top 5 or top 10. There's a pretty strong consensus here that he's the top defender out there." His 23 sacks rank sixth on the Nittany Lions' career list. "If you watch 2023 tape he's a top-10 will linebacker," said one scout. "His rarity is he plays at an elite level at two different positions, one of which is a major elite position: pass rusher. You could just as well stand the guy up and say, 'Hey, go cover this guy,' and he can do it better than anybody else. Dynamite pass rusher. Just natural. In some games he makes like every other play. Now, with guys with this amount of talent, there's times you want a little more out of him."

[MightyGiants]

https://x.com/BaldyNFL/status/1906797677066494413

[DaveBrown74]

In terms of consensus expectations of his pro career going into draft day, how would you say Carter compares to Thibodeaux?

[MightyGiants]

In terms of consensus expectations of his pro career going into draft day, how would you say Carter compares to Thibodeaux?

I believe that Carter has more natural physical gifts than Thibs, resulting in a much higher potential ceiling

[londonblue]

It all comes down to medical clearance. If he is medically cleared he can play ILB, OLB and DE in a 4 man front. The ILB versatility creates opportunities to have him, Burns and KT on the field at the same time in certain situations. Most of the time having three guys on the Edge keeps them fresher and reduces injury risk. If he makes KT the third man that opens up trade flexibility. Nothing I don't like about it, providing he is healthy!

[MightyGiants]

It all comes down to medical clearance. If he is medically cleared he can play ILB, OLB and DE in a 4 man front. The ILB versatility creates opportunities to have him, Burns and KT on the field at the same time in certain situations. Most of the time having three guys on the Edge keeps them fresher and reduces injury risk. If he makes KT the third man that opens up trade flexibility. Nothing I don't like about it, providing he is healthy!

When you consider the DB additions the Giants made this offseason, I think it can be argued the need is greater for Carter than Hunter.

The thing with the stress reaction in his foot, is that shouldn't be a long-term issue.

[MightyGiants]

Here is what Bruce Feldman heard about Carter



2. Cleveland Browns: Abdul Carter, edge, Penn State
If Cam Ward is available, I believe Cleveland will pounce. Instead, the Browns gobble up the latest in a long line of defensive freaks from the Nittany Lions capable of making an immediate impact. The pairing of Carter and Myles Garrett will cause huge headaches for opponents. At 6-3 and 250 pounds, the 2024 Big Ten defensive player of the year has average size for an edge player but is blazing fast. After spending his first two years as a linebacker, he led the nation with 23.5 tackles for loss to go with 12 sacks in his first season playing on the edge. A foot injury has hindered him from some of the evaluation part of the draft run-up, but last offseason, at 254 pounds, he clocked a 4.48-second 40-yard dash along with a 4.35 shuttle to go with an equally impressive 10-7 broad jump.

That kind of juice feeds into the Micah Parsons comparisons. The Cowboys star clocked a 4.43 at 245 pounds going into his last season at Penn State. An assistant who faced Carter in 2024 and spent time in the NFL has a different pro comp for the Penn State star.

"He reminds me of Von Miller," the coach said. "He's really bendy around the edge and such a speed rusher. He's slippery enough to make your tackle completely whiff, and it's a TFL. You hoped he slipped on that bad grass at Penn State. He's a little different from Micah, who I think has more tenacity and physicality in his game and plays stronger. Abdul is much more bendy. Micah destroys people on inside moves. He'll shimmy, counter and get inside, and that's how you get sacks really quick. Abdul is really trying to win with speed around the edge."

"He has elite twitch," a Big Ten O-line coach said. "He will put his face in there and try to stop the rush. He is so fast. He jumped offside against us, and our guy almost didn't see him; he went by so fast and so far. He's still figuring it out. Got a lot better as the year went on."

"His change of direction is pretty special, and he played with a high motor," another Big Ten O-line coach said. "I think his physicality is just OK. Not great."

Said a head coach whose team faced Penn State in the first half of the season: "His get-off is such a problem. Our deal was to run the ball right at him. He didn't use his hands that well in the run game, but he became more of a complete player as the year went on."

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6246631/2025/04/02/nfl-mock-draft-2025-bruce-feldman/?source=user_shared_article

[nb587]

When you consider the DB additions the Giants made this offseason, I think it can be argued the need is greater for Carter than Hunter.

The thing with the stress reaction in his foot, is that shouldn't be a long-term issue.

Not likely we'll have a choice unless the Browns draft Sanders which could happen.  But, to your point, if we did have a choice, I would ignore need  and take the better player factoring in health, coachability, etc.  Drafting need that high ends up with Neal & Thibs.  The exception would be if the best player was a situation like Barkley where shelf life, injuries are a major factor

[Jclayton92]

The Burns trade looks even better if we take Carter, because him and Lawrence can teach Carter how to be a pro and work on his craft. I'd like to see Carter in a years time with Andre Patterson as his coach.

[Uncle Mickey]

WHat sticks out the most to me from above quotes.


His athleticism and experience give him some scheme versatility and he can easily be dropped into space or used to carry anyone up the seam. Carter's physicality and intensity will bolster any defense's personality and will be on display on special teams as soon as he steps on the field.

"His rarity is he plays at an elite level at two different positions, one of which is a major elite position: pass rusher. You could just as well stand the guy up and say, 'Hey, go cover this guy,' and he can do it better than anybody else. Dynamite pass rusher. Just natural. In some games he makes like every other play.



Wow just True potential elite scheme versatility. AKA  Lawrence Taylor like. I am not annointing him LT in any way shape or form, however he has LT like traits and if they convert to the NFL you are looking at a chess piece weapon that can drop into coverage as well as be an elite pass rusher. THose guys nowadays are extremely rare and even rarer to do both at a high level.

[Jclayton92]

Also wild that both Carter and Graham are considered best for a 4-3 alignment. How many teams even run a 4-3 anymore, I assumed it was primarily a sub package for most teams?

[Philosophers]

I hope ge develops a speed to power move otherwise he may track more like Thibs than like an All Pro player.  Also he needs to be a run stopper as well otherwise he is like Osi rather than like a stud Edge.

[MightyGiants]

Also wild that both Carter and Graham are considered best for a 4-3 alignment. How many teams even run a 4-3 anymore, I assumed it was primarily a sub package for most teams?

Jess,

The way I have seen defenses play, I am not sure the differentiation is as important as it used to be. 

[Uncle Mickey]

I believe that Carter has more natural physical gifts than Thibs, resulting in a much higher potential ceiling

There is zero doubt this is a true statement. That draft featured 3-4 blue chip guys (Hutchinson, Stingley, Sauce, Walker) and we picked 5th.

Abdul is absolutely a blue chip. Kayvon was not.

[MightyGiants]

https://x.com/ryannovoNFL/status/1909245739605098590