With the regular season behind the New England Patriots, the team is now shifting its focus to free agency and the 2025 NFL draft.
Some have wondered if the Patriots would take a wide receiver or left tackle with the No. 4 overall pick. However, ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. has the team taking Penn State defensive end Abdul Carter in his latest mock draft.
Carter had a tremendous season in 2024. He recorded 68 tackles, 12 sacks and two forced fumbles. He finished his collegiate career in style against Notre Dame. The Nittany Lions lost by a 27-24 margin, but Carter played at a high level despite battling injury. He recorded five tackles and a sack in the game.
Kiper wrote:
Carter is instinctive and fast, and he seems to always be around the ball. He converted from off-ball linebacker to the edge this season and dominated to the tune of 12 sacks and 23.5 tackles for loss. For a New England team that struggled to get pressure, Carter would be a massive addition. New coach Mike Vrabel could move him around and use his disruptive traits to improve the Patriots’ league-low sack count (28).
Carter could help boost the Patriots’ pass rush in a major way. They were the worst in the league at generating sacks. The team desperately needs to find a spark on defense, and Carter is the sort of playmaker who could help fill that void.