May Patriots cross on Abdul Carter at No. 4 in 2025 NFL Draft?

“Most consider they’re locked in on LSU OT Will Campbell even when Carter is there.”

Abdul Carter can be an excellent worth pickup for New England at No. 4 general. (AP Photograph/Barry Reeger)

The Patriots would possibly want some luck to fall their means in the event that they hope to have an opportunity of drafting Abdul Carter with the No. 4 decide within the 2025 NFL Draft.

However even when the Penn State cross rusher one way or the other falls previous the Giants (No. 3 general) and is up for grabs when New England will get on the clock, might the Patriots find yourself passing on the coveted edge prospect?

NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport mapped out such a situation on Monday when discussing a primary spherical the place the Giants choose Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders with the No. 3 decide.

Carter would give New England a potent pass-rushing menace on an upgraded Patriots protection that already options free-agent pickups in Milton Williams and Harold Landry.

However given New England’s must improve its offensive line and defend Drake Maye, Rapoport believes that the Patriots would possibly cross on Carter — even when he was obtainable at No. 4.

“The destiny of Abdul Carter, to me, is nearly as attention-grabbing or simply as attention-grabbing because the destiny of Shedeur Sanders,” Rapoport stated on NFL Community. “If that occurs [Sanders goes to the Giants] then one thing I feel might be inconceivable might unfold, which is Abdul Carter not going [No. 3].

“I might say in all probability [he’s] not going 4 if the Patriots find yourself going with an offensive lineman, possibly that’s Will Campbell. Does [Carter] slide to 5 to the Jaguars? Which, once more, is one thing you by no means assume would occur.”

Rapoport’s prediction is much from an outlier, as Fox Sports activities’ Jordan Schultz shared an analogous thought on Wednesday in his newest “NFL Confidential” pocket book about Carter’s probabilities of slipping down the draft order if New York takes Sanders at No. 3.

“The Patriots are a risk — they hosted [Carter] — however most consider they’re locked in on LSU OT Will Campbell even when Carter is there. ‘Three-year starter. Only a classic Mike Vrabel participant,’ a former GM stated,” Schultz wrote.

“The Pats not too long ago signed Morgan Moses, however he’s greatest at proper sort out. They missed out on Jaylon Moore (Chiefs) and Dan Moore (Titans) in free company and largely centered on protection. Campbell additionally met with proprietor Robert Kraft — which was not a coincidence. ‘Drake Maye is now your franchise,” a former GM added. ‘Defend him with Campbell and also you’re set for a decade. That’s the final word luxurious.’”

Including a possible franchise sort out like Campbell would account for a large deficiency on New England’s depth chart.

New England allowed 52 sacks this season — the fifth-most within the NFL, and essentially the most sacks allowed in New England over one 12 months since 1999.

And even with the issues concerning Campbell’s arm size, he allowed simply 4 sacks in his collegiate profession at LSU — whereas incomes All-American honors in 2024.

Nonetheless, passing up on a expertise like Carter can be a daring resolution. The 6-foot-3, 259-pound edge rusher was a monster for Penn State in 2024, recording 12 sacks and 24 tackles for loss over 16 video games.

Potential #1 decide Abdul Carter highlights

41 TFLs
23 Sacks
71 QB Hurries
I feel we will all largely agree on who the #1 participant within the draft is pic.twitter.com/rT5Pzp52PA

— School Soccer Report (@CFBRep) February 26, 2025