Defensive end Abdul Carter says
he's the best player in NFL 2025 draft class
 [February 27, 2025]
By MICHAEL MAROT
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Former Penn State star Abdul Carter made one
thing clear Wednesday: He should be the No. 1 overall pick in this
year's NFL draft.
Carter was in the first group of players to speak with reporters at
the NFL's annual scouting combine in Indianapolis, and he wasted no
time declaring himself the top player in the 2025 draft class.
“I feel like I’m the best player in the country and the best player
should be picked first," he said. "It’s the work I put in with my
dad, who trained me, and all the sacrifices I made, I know I’m the
best.”
Of course, such pronouncements have come to be expected during
combine week.
Still, Carter certainly has a case after finishing last season with
68 tackles, a Football Bowl Subdivision-leading 23 1/2 tackles for
loss and 12 sacks to finish seventh nationally.
He was the Big Ten's top defensive player in 2024 and finished his
three-year career with 39 1/2 tackles for loss, 23 sacks and 14
passes defensed.
The question is whether the 6-foot-3, 259-pound Carter is a better
fit at defensive end or outside linebacker. Either way, he's likely
to be the first or second defensive player selected April 24 in
Green Bay, Wisconsin.
ESPN reported Wednesday night that tests earlier in the day revealed
Carter has a stress reaction in his right foot.
“There are mixed opinions on whether he needs surgery, and we will
figure that out in the near future,” agent Drew Rosenhaus told ESPN,
adding he still believes Carter will be the top pick.
Regardless, going No. 1 overall remains a challenge.
Since 2007 only three defensive players have been chosen No. 1
overall — Jadeveon Clowney in 2014, Myles Garrett in 2017 and Travon
Walker in 2022. Each was chosen primarily because of their
pass-rushing ability.
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Penn State defensive lineman Abdul Carter speaks during a press
conference at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis,
Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
And leapfrogging the top two quarterbacks, Cam Ward
of Miami and Shedeur Sanders of Colorado, or Heisman Trophy winner
Travis Hunter could prove difficult.
“I think quarterbacks have kind of a lock on that or maybe a great
pass rusher,” Cincinnati Bengals director of player personnel Duke
Tobin said Tuesday when asked about a non-quarterback being the top
overall selection. “Or maybe a guy that plays six positions like the
one from my alma mater. We’ll see.”
Tobin, who attended Colorado, was referring to Hunter, who is listed
as a cornerback but hopes to also play receiver in the NFL as he did
in college.
Yet Carter believes he can defy the odds and become the third Penn
State player to hear his name called first on draft weekend.
Tennessee holds the No. 1 overall pick.
"Defensive players impact the game just as much as the quarterback,”
the 21-year-old Carter said. “All the teams that have won Super
Bowls, they have that one standout player. I feel like I’m that.”
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