Could the New York Jets really come away from the 2025 NFL draft this lucky?
In their latest (and shell shocking) mock draft, Yahoo Sports draft analysts Nate Tice and Charles McDonald predict the Jets will select edge rusher Abdul Carter, the 2024 unanimous All-American and Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, with the No. 7 overall pick.
Here are the top 10 selections of Tice and McDonald’s mock draft:
- Tennessee Titans: Cam Ward, QB, Miami
- Cleveland Browns: Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado
- New York Giants: Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
- New England Patriots: Armand Membou, OL, Missouri
- Jacksonville Jaguars: Mason Graham, DT, Michigan
- Las Vegas Raiders: Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
- New York Jets: Abdul Cater, EDGE, Penn State
- Carolina Panthers: Shemar Stewart, DL, Texas A&M
- New Orleans Saints: Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
- Chicago Bears, Will Campbell, OT, LSU
“The Jets would be flying to the podium if this scenario were to unfold,” wrote Tice and McDonald. “Carter is the No. 2 overall player on my big board and has real game-wrecking potential as a pass rusher. He would inject some real juice into a front and unit that tapered off in 2024.”
A product of La Salle High School in Wyndmoor, Pennslyvania, Carter committed to Penn State as a four-star recruit, ultimately spending all three of his collegiate seasons in Happy Valley.
During his freshman campaign in 2022, Carter appeared in 13 games for the Nittany Lions, logging 56 total tackles (11 for loss) and 6.5 sacks while forcing two fumbles.
As a sophomore, the Pennsylvania native played in 13 games for a second consecutive season, recording 48 combo tackles (six for loss) with 4.5 sacks and a forced fumble.
After two solid seasons to kick off his college career, the youngster established himself as a superstar in his junior season. Appearing in all of Penn State’s 16 games, he posted 68 total tackles (24 for loss) with 12 sacks and two forced fumbles, while earning unanimous All-American and Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year honors.
Ranked No. 2 overall on NFL Mock Draft Database’s consensus big board, it remains highly unlikely that Carter will be on the board when the Jets select with the No. 7 overall pick, but as we know, anything can happen on draft night.
In Tice and McDonald’s mock, Carter’s fall hinges on the Giants’ selection of quarterback Shedeur Sanders at No. 3. After that, the Patriots (offensive tackle) and Jaguars (defensive tackle) pass up on Carter in favor of bigger roster needs. Finally, Pete Carroll’s Raiders look to establish an identity by taking Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty, who some believe is the best prospect in the class.
While the Jets already spent two of their last three first-round picks on edge rushers (Will McDonald and Jermaine Johnson), the position remains a need.
McDonald needs immense work on his run defense, whereas Carter can thrive in both phases for Aaron Glenn. Johnson is a promising two-way player, but he remains a question mark as he returns from an Achilles tear.
Behind McDonald and Johnson, the Jets’ depth chart includes Micheal Clemons, Eric Watts, Braiden McGregor, and Rashad Weaver.
It is an unlikely scenario, but if Carter is still available when the Jets select, it would be extremely difficult for Gang Green to pass up on him.
