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”.
Dude played with one arm last night and was a factor