Possessing the No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft is often more complicated than simply finding the best overall prospect. Need, particularly at quarterback, plays a huge role in what player ultimately hears their name first in the draft each year.
But Penn State’s Abdul Carter suggested that in 2025, the No. 1 pick doesn’t need to be overly complicated. “All the teams that have won Super Bowls, they have that one standout player,” Carter said, via ESPN’s Turron Davenport. “I feel like I’m that …”
“I feel like I’m the best player in the country and the best player should be picked first.”
Argument Abdul Carter Should Be No. 1 Pick in 2025 NFL Draft
The Tennessee Titans entered the offseason with the No. 1 pick. Since the Titans started two quarterbacks, Mason Rudolph and Will Levis, who didn’t finish better than 26th in PFN’s QB+ metric, addressing the need behind center makes the most sense.
But many pundits have argued there’s no obvious quarterback to choose at No. 1 in the 2025 Draft class. With Carter worthy of being the top selection, the Penn State edge rusher could become just the second non-QB to go No. 1 since Cleveland Browns’ Myles Garrett in 2017.
“I feel like it’s very realistic,” Carter said of going first overall.
PFN’s Brentley Weissman described Carter as possessing “rare explosiveness and straight-line speed off the ball.” Weissman also raved about Carter as a high-effort and high-football IQ player.
“Carter is a rare athlete, even for NFL standards, and has the potential to be a true difference-making pass rusher. He needs to continue working on getting stronger and getting off of blocks, but as long as the team who drafts him understands his skill set and where he wins best, there’s little reason to believe he won’t be an immediate impact player at the next level,” wrote Weissman.
Carter posted 12 sacks and 24 tackles for loss while making the All-American team in 2024. He led the entire country in tackles for loss. Carter also had 68 combined tackles, four pass defenses and two forced fumbles.
Abdul Carter is standing on his case for No. 1 🗣️
More: https://t.co/dcBYmR7jKy pic.twitter.com/103bPXyadb
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) February 26, 2025
Carter Going No. 1 in NFL Mock Drafts
PFN’s Owain Jones agrees with Carter. In his latest 2025 NFL mock draft, Jones projected Carter off the board to the Titans at No. 1 overall.
“Analysts are split on whether the Tennessee Titans will draft a quarterback. New general manager Mike Borgonzi has hinted that they won’t be afraid to take the best player available. Meanwhile, history has taught us that it is never too early to draft a quarterback,” wrote Jones.
“Abdul Carter has become the top overall prospect on many rankings. At 6’3” and 252 pounds, the Penn State edge rusher showcases elite athleticism, impressive production, and aggressive disruption to trouble offensive tackles.”
There’s a possibility that Carter could land with the Titans but not at No. 1 overall. ESPN’s Dan Graziano proposed the Titans could move back from No. 1 with a draft trade. In that scenario, a team such as the Cleveland Browns or New York Giants could trade up to No. 1 for a quarterback.
Depending on how far down the board the Titans move, Tennessee could acquire more draft capital and still target Carter. The Browns and Giants hold the No. 2 and 3 selections in the 2025 NFL Draft, respectively.
But as of Feb. 26, Carter sounds dead set on going No. 1 overall.