2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Abdul Carter (DE – Penn State)

FantasyPros will be taking a look at early NFL Draft scouting reports before the Combine in March. Here’s a look at Penn State defense end Abdul Carter. And check out our entire 2025 NFL Draft Guide.

2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Abdul Carter

Abdul Carter (DE – Penn State)

6-foot-3 | 259 Pounds

Background

Abdul Carter is a North Philadelphia native and four-star recruit who has been a major contributor since his freshman year, one in which he posted 56-11.0-6.5, rotating in heavily at linebacker early in the season before taking over a starting role beginning in Week 8 (Minnesota.)

He continued to start as an off-ball linebacker as a sophomore, finishing with 48-6.0-4.5 and an interception. He broke out this season as an EDGE defender (63-22.0-11.0 as of the time of writing).

Positives

Three-year starter with versatility between linebacker and EDGE (typically out of a two-point stance); the team has asked him to handle a lot of different roles and responsibilities. Carter is a tall, long-limbed defender with solid bulk. Plays the game with intensity and physicality. Flashes the ability to get low at the point of attack, take on blockers and set the edge with a sound base.

Carter showed adequate awareness and the ability to locate in the run game. His discipline when playing as the read man is good, with his length and agility making him difficult to deal with. Keeps his shoulders square when flowing laterally. Shows some range in pursuit, and keeps chasing opponents downfield. Closes smoothly with a wide tackling radius. Relentless pass-rusher whose motor never stops.

Covers a lot of ground with his first step. Has quick, choppy feet and can set up blockers well. Violent, explosive mover with active hands and a wide repertoire of moves; can do it all, with rips, swims, swipes, etc. Has very good knee-bend and flexibility to get low and dip his shoulder around the edge. Has a tight spin counter with a low center of gravity. Penn State asked him to blitz from the A-gap as a traditional off-ball inside linebacker. Can flip his hips a bit in coverage.

Negatives

Carter’s intensity sometimes crosses over into a lack of discipline, leading to issues with balance. Some herky-jerky movements. Doesn’t always get as much consistent leverage and extension as you’d like; exposes his chest and lets blockers into his pads too often for someone with his length and flexibility.

Gap discipline in the run game can suffer when Carter is trying to use his burst to get upfield. Would like to see more of a commitment to working with power as a rusher; overwhelms more with intensity than power. Aggression leads to jumping offside too often.

Summary

One of the flashiest rushers in this year’s class, Carter is an intense, tenacious rusher with a dangerous first step. He has a wide repertoire of rush moves and counters and flashes the flexibility and functional strength to take on blocks in the run game.

Carter started his collegiate career as a linebacker, but looks like a one-gap EDGE all the way, using his suddenness, bend and hands to penetrate and create chaos in the backfield. Still needs to play with more consistent discipline, balance and extension, but the raw elements of his game won’t prevent him from being considered by teams picking within the top 10 or 15 picks.

Projection: Round 1