For much of the early 2025 NFL Draft process, former Penn State defensive end Abdul Carter was in the mix to be the No. 1 overall selection to the Tennessee Titans. Now, that ceiling as the potential top pick appears to be gone, but recent developments with another likely first-round quarterback could be raising the floor for the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year.
Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders is the consensus No. 2 QB in the 2025 class, but his stock might be taking a hit. While he was rumored to be in play for the Cleveland Browns at No. 2 overall and the New York Giants at No. 3, two QB-needy franchises, the son of Deion Sanders is now favored to be selected by the New Orleans Saints who hold the No. 9 overall selection.
If Sanders is no longer in play for the Browns, who are still looking for a way to escape the disastrous Deshaun Watson fully guaranteed contract, and the Giants, who signed veteran quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston this offseason, then that’s great news for Carter.
In the scenario in which two QBs go off the board in the top three selections, Carter had the potential to slide all the way to No. 5 because the New England Patriots at No. 4 desperately need offensive players to build around quarterback Drake Maye. As long as that doesn’t happen, there is very little chance that Carter drops beyond the Giants at Pick 3.
Quarterback is the most important position in football and therefore quarterbacks routinely get overvalued in the NFL Draft. That’s why Ward will likely go No. 1 despite Carter and Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter being the consensus top-two players in the class. However, teams seemed to have talked themselves out of reaching for Sanders and instead take a bonafide future star in Carter or Hunter.
Right now, I’d expect Carter to be the selection at No. 2 overall to the Cleveland Browns where he would be paired with former No. 1 overall pick Myles Garrett along the defensive line.