A backbone for the Cleveland Browns’ success in recent years has been its defense, led by reigning Defensive Player of The Year, Myles Garrett.
Garrett, last season, logged 14 sacks, and has posted 81.5 over the past six seasons.
However, especially playing in a division as competitive as the AFC North, which houses the likes of reigning MVP Lamar Jackson, Joe Burrow, and a fascinating quarterback situation in Pittsburgh featuring Russell Wilson and Justin Fields, the Browns may need to continue bolstering the pass-rush to complement Garrett.
That’s the exact scenario that plays out in ESPN NFL Draft analyst Matt Miller’s latest 2025 NFL Mock Draft.
Could the Cleveland Browns Target Abdul Carter in Round 1?
Penn State Second-Team All-American linebacker Abdul Carter is making the position switch to defensive end ahead of the 2024 season and could be one of the first pass rushers to hear his name called during the 2025 NFL Draft, next spring.
Miller projects the Browns to select Carter with the No. 16 overall selection.
“Cleveland has the league’s reigning Defensive Player of the Year in pass-rusher Myles Garrett,” Miller points out. “But there’s room to add more to the defensive line if a player like Carter is on the board. He’d slide in opposite Garrett — where veteran Za’Darius Smith is now — and boost an already elite unit.
“Carter has played off-ball linebacker in previous seasons, but he is moving into a full-time pass-rusher role in 2024 and has the juice to become a game-changing performer in that role. He has 11 sacks over two seasons.”
A former five-star prospect, Carter has the measurables and explosiveness to surge up draft boards next spring.
Through his first two seasons in Happy Valley, Carter has developed into a disruptive force with 11 sacks, 105 total tackles, nine pass breakups and one interception.
If Carter is able to elevate his game as a pass-rusher in 2024, he could line up opposite arguably the premier defensive player in the sport in 2025.
