Penn State defensive end Abdul Carter is set to round off his pre-draft visits with a trip to the New England Patriots, marking his final engagement before the 2025 NFL Draft. As reported by Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer, Carter will visit the Patriots on Monday as part of their allotted Top 30 prospect visits.
Though once seen as an unlikely candidate to fall to New England’s fourth overall pick, recent mock drafts have hinted at the possibility of Carter still being available when the Patriots are on the clock on 24 April.
The visit to the Patriots will be Carter’s last in a busy pre-draft schedule. Before heading to New England, the standout defensive end is due to meet with the New York Giants, holders of the third overall pick, later this week. He has already met with both the Tennessee Titans, who pick first, and the Cleveland Browns, who hold the second selection.
“The Titans are expected to draft Florida quarterback Cam Ward with the top pick, but then it’s anyone’s guess how the rest of the first round will shake out.”
That uncertainty opens the door for a team like the Patriots to secure a top-tier talent like Carter, depending on how the early picks unfold.
Abdul Carter has firmly established himself as one of the premier pass rushers in this year’s draft class. He had a standout season in 2024 with the Penn State Nittany Lions, recording 12 sacks, 68 tackles, and 24 tackles for loss, along with two forced fumbles.
“Carter’s big numbers earned him Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year honors, and he was also a unanimous All-American.”
Across three seasons and 42 appearances for Penn State, Carter compiled an impressive stat line of 23 sacks, 41 tackles for loss, 172 total tackles (including 104 solo and 68 assisted), one interception, 13 pass deflections, and five forced fumbles—demonstrating both his consistency and defensive dominance.
Once considered a potential No. 1 overall pick, Carter’s draft stock took a slight dip due to medical concerns.
A stress fracture in his right foot was identified ahead of the NFL Scouting Combine, and he opted out of Penn State’s Pro Day as he continued to recover from a postseason shoulder injury. While these setbacks may affect his draft positioning, his long-term potential is unquestionable.
A Strong Fit for the Patriots’ Defence
Despite clear needs at left tackle and wide receiver, the Patriots would make a bold and potentially game-changing move by selecting Carter with the fourth pick. His elite pass-rushing skills would be a valuable addition to their revamped defensive unit.
“Carter should fit perfectly into Mike Vrabel’s new defensive system along with newcomers Milton Williams, Robert Spillane, and Harold Landry III.”
With Carter in the mix, New England would be taking a decisive step toward rebuilding a dominant defence capable of competing at the highest level.
