Penn State’s run toward the national championship came to an end Thursday night. As a result, the team’s underclassmen are now able to turn their attention to the draft; as expected, one of the top prospects in the 2025 class will turn pro. 
Edge rusher Abdul Carter has decided to enter April’s draft, as noted by ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The junior has long been expected to take that route once his season ended, and he is now on track to be one of the first players selected on either side of the ball. Carter enjoyed a stellar 2024 campaign, the first in which he transitioned from inside linebacker to defensive end.
The 6-3, 260-pounder racked up 11 sacks across his first two seasons but he surpassed that total this year. His sack during last light’s CFP semifinal loss to Notre Dame was his 12th of the campaign; Carter also registered 24 tackles for loss and a pair of forced fumbles during the season. Those totals helped him win the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year award in addition to consensus All-American honors. He is the first Nittany Lion to earn the latter honor since Saquon Barkley in 2017.
Several edge rushers are considered locks to go in the first round but Carter has long been considered the best option at the position. He sits at the top of ESPN’s Scouts Inc. board, while Mel Kiper slots him second overall behind only two-way Colorado star Travis Hunter. No shortage of teams will show interest over the coming months as they evaluate this year’s top prospects.
With the Titans, Browns and Giants occupying the top three spots in the 2025 draft order, quarterback figures to be a position of interest at the top of the board. Both Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders may hear their names called before Carter does, but once teams without an immediate QB need are on the clock – the Patriots and Jaguars respectively own the fourth and fifth selections – he will certainly be a name to watch.
One of the fastest 1st steps I have seen. Browns at 2 make a ton of sense
Hard to see Cleveland not going either Hunter, a QB, or trading down. But I don’t think Carter makes it past Carolina and New Orleans at 8 and 9.
CLE isn’t going QB at 2
Garrett is already worried about the direction of the Franchise and drafting rookie QB isn’t something he’s gonna wanna stick around for hoping they get it right finally.
CLE will definitely be in the market for a veteran QB of some sorts. They’ve played better with veterans they brought in (Flacco and Winston).
Trade back is an option. Or stay at 2 and draft.
If I were them, I would look to trade back within the top ten with a QB-hungry team, get a bunch of picks, and replace one of my two departing tackles. But I understand the argument that a rookie contract quarterback could be the best, maybe only way to do anything with a still pretty talented roster. But I think staying at two and taking an edge rusher isn’t good value when teams will be eager for a QB or Hunter and the draft is deeper in pass rushers than anything else.
Trade back is the most sound option
I’m not so sure right now. Watson has ruptured his Achilles again and is possibly out all of 2025 season, I heard. There future QB isn’t in the roster currently. Even if they sign a retread in FA, they still need a QB for future seasons.
How can the Browns afford not to take a QB when they pick this high, and their current team leader may never take another NFL snap? This is the cheapest way for the Browns to build for the future with that albatross still hanging around their neck.
Cause your franchise pass rusher will most likely demand a trade cause they don’t want to stick around hoping another browns QB draft pick pans out.
The main issue is Myles Garrett is already on record saying he’s fine staying only if browns don’t rebuild and he trusts their plan to contend
“Hey Myles, our plan to contend is draft Ward or Sanders at 2 and hope they can come in and be Mahomes Allen Burrow Herbert right away. This is not a rebuild of any type (fingers crossed).”
link to brownszone.com
Garrett: “I want to play here, play my career here. But if we choose to do a rebuild and it’s two, three, four years out, I want to be able to compete and play at a high level, play meaningful games and be playing past January.”
Browns – “Hey Myles, shut the hell up and do your job and live up to the contract you chose to sign. Let us worry about the roster.”
Yeah thatll go over well lmao. Good luck with that. Itll really make other players and agents eager to head to Cleveland when thats ownerships/front office/coaching staff approach to franchise icon saying “i want to compete and playing meaningful games”.
If they hit on the right player, the team will be better off than bringing in another retread. Denver and Washington are the perfect example.
Agganis, Garrett, Philipps, Kosar, Couch, Quinn, Weeden, Manziel, Mayfield and suddenly Ward or Sanders in probably one of the lowest rated QB draft classes we’ve had in recent memory is gonna come in and immediately lead the browns to either a divison title or wild card birth in the same division as the Ravens, Steelers, Bengals (Steelers were winning games with Justin Freaking Fields).
They have the #2 pick! The draft isn’t deep, but the top prospects look promising, even for the Browns.
So what if they have the #2 pick? You take a rookie QB you’re signaling rebuild. Which will result in Garrett wanting out and forcing his way out of town to go compete elsewhere.
If browns are fine entering a rebuild enter the rebuild. Trade Garrett who’s got 2 years. Trade Ward who’s got 3 years. Maximize their value and get as many draft picks as you can. But don’t half azz do a rebuild by taking a rookie qb hoping they’ll turn the current roster around.
People cite Stroud (though Houston added pieces), Nix, Daniels (though DC added pieces) but completely forget about Bryce Young Will Levis Anthony Richardson McCarthy getting injured
You’re also completely forgetting their 2025 schedule
2 games vs ravens
2 games vs Steelers
2 games vs bengals
Depending on the Steelers QB situation you may be able to split but that’s an easy 0-6 1-5 for a rookie QB on the browns
Plus
Detroit
Minnesota
SF
Green Bay
Buffalo
They have a murderers row type schedule next year. 6 playoff teams and two teams who’ve been competitive for many years in Bengals and SF.
They’re easily losing 10 games.
The draft is the quickest way to get back to relevance at QB. Can’t afford a high priced veteran like Darnold. Getting a rookie on a cheap deal is probably the best path. And best chance at sustained success.
Maybe you can make a trade for someone like Hendon Hooker and give him a chance. But thats no safer than a QB at 2.
@Bring San Diego…going full rebuild makes the most sense for this franchise. They should probably trade back a few spots, no lower than 7th or 8th pick, to get additional premium draft capital then trade Myles Garrett and get even more draft ammo to stock up in both this and next year’s drafts. Then take Carter as Garrett’s replacement. The Browns aren’t going to be playing meaningful playoffs football games during Garrett’s remaining contractual control with their QB situation, Chubb injury issues, a declining offensive line and an above average but not particularly great defense. They aren’t completely void of talent but they also aren’t at the point where one or two guys puts them over the hump either.
Dude played with one arm last night and was a factor
Hopefully a New England Patriot.
I think Jacksonville at #5 makes the most sense since the four teams ahead of them are probably focusing on qb’s and the offense generally speaking. I know it won’t happen but man would it be fun to see him line up opposite Maxx Crosby if he’s still available at #6 for the Raiders.