Former NFL Scout Loves Abdul Carter

I love Penn State defender Abdul Carter and I don’t love many.

I would list his position when introducing him, but that’s a little bit more confusing. That’s because he lines up in different spots. He is listed as a “defensive end,” headed into 2024, but last season, he lined up most of the time as an off-the-ball linebacker pre-snap.

All I know is I have fallen hard for Carter’s elite traits.

Speed

Short-area burst

Athleticism

I get excited watching him play. It doesn’t make much sense either (even to me) because he disappears for long stretches of time on game film. Too long of stretches of time. I normally crush prospects like this, but there is just something about this guy.

He’s in the mold of Cowboys’ linebacker Micah Parsons.

Did I really say that out loud?

I did.

Holy close

Carter is a special pass rusher.

Think heat-seeking missile.

The thing that makes him even more dangerous is the noticeable burst of short area speed he shows when closing in on his target.

Carter flies into the pocket when he shoots a gap or has a clear shot at the quarterback ⎯unblocked.

He can also make quick and effortless changes of direction. His movements are fluid and flexible looking.

Pass rushing stats:

2022:

6.5 Sacks

2023:

4.5 Sacks

Carter added 28 quarterback pressures last season.

Challenging evaluation

This is one of the tougher assessments because his sack total is on the lower side.

Why did that happen?

It was strange, but Penn State didn’t use him much as a pass rusher.

According to on3.com, Carter rushed the passer only 33% of the time he was on the field. They seemed to scheme him more as a ‘spy,’ and as a defender who forced play flow in another direction. That article also points out he was 230 pounds when he had higher sack production in 2022 and he played at 250 last season and ‘now he’s north of that.’

Did I mention he can cover?

Because Carter can run like the wind, he gets in position to make plays on the ball.

2022:

4 Pass Breakups

0 Interceptions

2023:

5 Pass Breakups

1 Interception

Hands?

There’s the good news and the bad news. The bad news is Carter does not use his hands well ⎯not in pass-rushing situations and not against the run.

This really holds him back.

Carter likes to hit in with a shoulder and he gets handled easily.

Undependable run defense

He’s also not a good tackler.

Carter has a tendency to come in too high or too low and he’s more of a hitter than he is a wrapping tackler.

I was not impressed.

NFL Draft crystal ball

The Packers, Lions, and Vikings need to pay close attention to this evaluation. Carter would be the antidote for Bears’ quarterback Caleb Williams’ antics.

I remember how that division started drafting cornerbacks that could match up better against former Vikings’ wide receiver Randy Moss. Same concept.

No matter where Carter lands, he’s a special weapon on defense if the coordinator realizes his strengths and weaknesses and schemes him right.

Freelance him and cut him loose.

#11 Abdul Carter 6-foot-3, 259 pounds

Daniel Kelly’s 2024 Fall Grade: First-Round (I would select him)

Projected by 89.8% of the NFL Draft Community to be a first-round pick as of September 27, 2024 (nflmockdraftdatabase.com)

2023 game film evaluated: West Virginia, Delaware, Illinois, Iowa, Northwestern, MASS, Ohio State, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Rutgers, Michigan State, and Ole Miss (click to view games watched to form this evaluation)

2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Quick twitch explosive pass rusher. Long arms. Average motor. Lightweight boxer. Toast against blockers. Show stopper when kept clean or gap-shooting on blitzes. Flashed swim and shoulder dip. Raw pass rush tools. Delayed blitzes. Opportunistic. Unpredictable. Has the speed to win the edge. Shows emotion. Legit pass cover backer. Disinterested in the run game. Ends up around the pile type. Can overrun lanes or be a tad slow to react to play direction. Can be fooled by misdirection.

What to watch for during the 2024 college football season

1. Using hands better against blockers?

2. Pass rush stat totals?

3. Does the extra weight slow him down at all?

Daniel Kelly is a former NFL Scout with the New York Jets. He was hired on the regime which featured Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick, Scott Pioli, Mike Tannenbaum, and Dick Haley. He is currently the Editor-in-Chief for First Round Mock, and has written for Sports Illustrated (Lions, Jets, and 49ers), NFL Draft Diamonds, and Yardbarker, as well as a featured guest on ESPN Radio and Fox Sports Radio. For more information about him visit his website at whateverittakesbook.com. Follow on Twitter @firstroundmock.