Here is our scouting report on defensive end Abdul Carter from Penn State

We begin our 2025 NFL Draft review of draft prospects that could interest the Dallas Cowboys. Today we are looking at defensive end, Abdul Carter from Penn State.

Abdul Carter

DE
Penn State Nittany Lions
Junior
4-star recruit
6’3”
259 lbs

Photo by Kevin Abele/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

History:

Abdul Carter was a four-star recruit out of La Salle College High School, playing mostly at the linebacker position. He received 12 offers and committed to Penn State and began playing in 2022. During his freshman season, Carter played 12 games, recording 56 total tackles, 11 tackles for loss, and two forced fumbles. He also added four pass breakups, 18 total pressures and 6.5 sacks.

In 2023, Carter proved to be just as effective and played in 13 games. He made a total of 48 tackles, six tackles for loss and forced fumble. He also added one interception with five pass breakups and had 24 total pressures along with 4.5 sacks. He was named first-team All-Big Ten for his outstanding performance.

In 2024, Carter had his best season at Penn State as a junior. He was moved from the linebacker position and played more as an edge defender and the results were electrifying. He made 63 total tackles and led the Big Ten with 22 tackles for loss. He also the led the Big Ten with 11 sacks and also made 52 total pressures. The season ended with Carter being named All-America, Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and first-team All-Big Ten.

2024 Statistics:

582 Defensive snaps
56 Tackles
11 Tackles for Loss
52 Total Pressures
11 Sacks
2 Forced Fumbles
3 Pass Breakups
38 Defensive Stops
7 Penalties

NFL Combine/Pro Day:

TBC

Awards:

All-America (2024)
Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year (2024)
First-team All-Big Ten (2024)
First-team All-Big Ten (2023)
Third-team All-Big Ten (2022)

Scorecard:

Overall- 91.1
Speed- 96
Acceleration- 91
Agility- 87
Strength- 80
Tackling- 67
Pass Rush- 92
Run Stop- 74
Discipline- 89

THE GOOD:

• Immediately off the tape is his speed and burst off the line
• Highly intelligent defender that is quick to diagnose the play and react
• Very good vision to find the ball carrier
• Long reach and wingspan to disrupt the quarterback or bring the player down. Gets high and wide when jumping up to deflect the pass at the line
• His exceptional closing speed renders him highly effective when facing pocket passers that rarely scramble
• Exhibits significant impact at the tackle point and shows good agility to adjust quickly to get his man
• Proficient in causing fumbles and disrupting plays when he’s the first man at the ball carrier
• Exceptional agility and flexibility that is already at NFL standards
• Elite bend to navigate the edge effectively
• His experience at off-ball linebacker offers him versatility

📼TAPE TIME📼
DE Abdul Carter
Penn State

✅ THE GOOD✅#scouting #NFLDraft #PennState pic.twitter.com/ithKAKQQUg

— Mike Poland (@kenfigkowboy) January 9, 2025

THE BAD:

• Only one year playing on the edge meaning he lacks critical experience
• Misses easy tackles especially in the open field. Had 29 missed tackles while playing at Penn State
• Will struggle with block shedding and leverage against smarter offensive linemen
• Discipline can be a problem and gets called for simple errors due to being so eager to get off the snap and fall offside. Had seven penalties last season which was second-most among his class
• Fails to consistently set the edge on running plays allowing runners to find an easy opening to run though on the outside
• Lacks physicality and strength to anchor
• Late season shoulder and arm injury needs investigation

📼TAPE TIME📼
DE Abdul Carter
Penn State

❌THE BAD❌#scouting #NFLDraft #PennState pic.twitter.com/nvfyf2LXZ0

— Mike Poland (@kenfigkowboy) January 9, 2025

THE FIT:

Carter projects as an early-to-mid first-round pick, with the potential to become an impact player in the NFL, particularly as a pass rusher. He boasts impressive athleticism and versatility, making him an intriguing choice for teams in search of a dynamic edge defender.

However, his journey to the professional level will hinge on his technical development, particularly in pass-rushing techniques and run defense. His draft position may fluctuate depending on how teams assess his existing skills in relation to his potential for improvement, this is because his move to edge needs more growth.

Regardless, his potential is viewed as very promising because of his athleticism and adaptability. His versatility could make him a valuable asset for teams employing hybrid defensive schemes, although there’s a consensus he might start as a designated pass-rusher in the NFL before fully transitioning to an every-down player. His success at the professional level will hinge on his development in technical aspects and adapting to the speed and complexity of NFL offenses.

COMPARISON:-

Micah Parsons, Dallas Cowboys

BTB GRADE:

Top-10 prospect

CONSENSUS RANKING:

7th
(Consensus ranking based on the average ranking from 90 major scoring services)