Position: EDGE.
College: Penn State
Height/Weight: 6'3" / 259 lbs.
Class: Junior.
Projection: Top 10.
Overview:
Carter emerged as one of the premier defensive talents in the 2025 class after transitioning from linebacker to a full-time edge rusher in 2024. A unanimous All-American and the 2024 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, Carter’s blend of elite athleticism, versatility, and motor has drawn comparisons to fellow Nittany Lions alum, Micah Parsons, another who successfully made a similar positional switch. With double-digit sacks and a reputation as a disruptive force, Carter is widely projected as a top-5 to top-10 pick. I should note that recent injury concerns have introduced some uncertainty into his draft stock (which is why I’m projecting him top ten instead of top five).
Strengths:
- Elite Athleticism: Carter’s first-step quickness, burst off the snap, and ability to bend the edge are rare for his size. His projected 40-yard dash time in the 4.4s underscores his exceptional speed for an edge rusher.
- Absolutely Massive Cock: Exceptional length (Combine measurements had Carter at 8.5”) allows Carter the unique ability to shoot ropes.
- Explosiveness and Power: Carter has the unique combination of speed with functional strength, allowing him to push offensive tackles back or win with a bull rush when his speed rush is contained. His 12 sacks highlight his ability to collapse pockets.
- Versatility: Carter’s background as an off-the-ball linebacker gives him the range to pursue plays sideline-to-sideline and the agility to drop into coverage if needed. He also fits in both 3-4 and 4-3 schemes.
- High Motor: Known for playing “with his hair on fire,” Carter’s effort is consistently on display. He is a punishing finisher and never seems to quit on plays in all the times I’ve watched him. His two forced fumbles in 2024 also reflect his nose for the ball.
- Upside: Carter is still very much learning the position. His rapid development in 2024 suggests he has significant room to grow into an All-Pro caliber player.
- Technique Development: Carter relies heavily on his athleticism rather than a diverse set of moves, lacking polish in hand usage and counters compared to more seasoned technicians like Verse or Latu from more recent drafts.
- Mediocre Girth: Having a pencil dick, the rumor around the Combine is that Carter skips showers in shame, creating a violent stench that’s been known to disrupt the locker room.
- Run Defense: He struggles to hold the edge due to inconsistent leverage and a narrow base when engaging blockers. He needs to add strength to anchor against NFL offensive linemen. Like Hunter, an NFL training program will really be to his benefit.
- Injury Concerns: Reports from late February 2025 indicate a stress reaction in his right foot, discovered during NFL Combine medical evaluations. While his agent remains optimistic about his draft position, the potential need for surgery could impact his immediate availability and long-term durability, a potential red flag for some squads.
- Experience: Carter only has one full season as an edge rusher. He’s less developed, which could lead to a steeper learning curve at the pro level.
- Coverage Concerns: One of the biggest reasons Carter converted to a full-time edge rusher in his junior season - his coverage tape as a LB. Carter was a liability at times, especially against RBs coming out of the backfield on wheel routes.
1. Illinois (September 28, 2024): Carter’s breakout game as an edge rusher. He tallied two sacks and multiple pressures, showcasing his ability to dominate with speed and power against a solid Big Ten offensive line. This is the game that put him on the map as an edge rusher.
View: https://youtu.be/PaU2xLtkwjI?si=swFOHq1qvg_bJEym
2. vs. Ohio State (November 2, 2024): Facing an opponent that would go on to win the National Championship, Carter recorded a sack, multiple hurries, and a tackle for loss, demonstrating his ability to disrupt even the most disciplined offenses. His closing burst was on full display. Watch how quickly he fires off the ball in these highlights.
View: https://youtu.be/hTY1BQtQKh0?si=i8qqR3aWXJjCROGf
3. vs. Notre Dame (CFP Semifinal, January 2025): Despite an upper-body injury, Carter gutted out a sack and two tackles for loss in a narrow Penn State loss. His toughness and clutch play under pressure, and while injured, stood out.
Potential Character Issues:
Carter’s on-field demeanor is a strength—aggressive and intense—but there’s a notable off-field concern. In April 2024, he was arrested for misdemeanor assault following an altercation, though he completed a rehabilitation program, and no further incidents have been reported. NFL teams, including the Pats, will likely investigate this incident during the pre-draft process to assess his maturity and decision-making. While not a pattern, it’s a blemish that could raise questions about his character. However, his work ethic and leadership on the field have not been questioned, suggesting this may be an isolated misstep.
Fit with the Pats:
The Pats could desperately use a game-wrecker of an edge rusher after ranking last in the NFL with 28 sacks in the 2024. We could desperately use a lot, actually. The departures of Judon and Uche left the cupboard as bare as a liberal man’s matches on Tinder, and Carter’s explosive traits align perfectly with their need for a disruptive presence opposite Keion White.
Vrabel, with his defensive pedigree, would enjoy using Carter’s versatility—using him as a stand-up rusher in a 3-4 base or as a hand-down end in subpackages. His ability to occasionally drop into coverage could also complement Vrabel’s preference for flexible defenders.
Carter’s fit isn’t just about need. It’s about impact. His speed and nonstop motor would immediately elevate a defense that struggled to pressure elite AFC quarterbacks like Josh Allen and Tua. Pairing him with Barmore (assuming he’s healthy) and White could form a formidable front, reminiscent of Vrabel’s Titans defenses. However, the Pats must weigh his foot injury against their immediate needs—OL help for Maye is also a pressing need. If medicals check out, Carter’s ceiling as a Parsons-like talent makes him a no-brainer at No. 4, offering a cornerstone for a rebuilding defense.
Even with the injury risk, his potential to transform New England’s pass rush outweighs the uncertainty, making him an ideal target if available.
View: https://youtu.be/axLdUK7_qng?si=LC7KudYViHzpVHq4
