Abdul Carter delivered one of the best defensive seasons in Penn State football history in 2024. Now, he’s preparing for the 2025 NFL Draft and could become the No. 1 overall pick.

At this point in the process, draft analysts are split on which player has the edge to become the No. 1 choice in the draft, a selection currently held by the Tennessee Titans. The franchise needs a quarterback, so players like Miami’s Cam Ward and Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders have been included at times.

Other analysts view Carter as the eventual top pick if the Titans hold onto the selection. In a weak QB draft, NFL.com analyst Daniel Jeremiah has Carter as the top prospect available, so there’s certainly reason to believe he should become the pick.

On Wednesday, Carter made his media interview rounds at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis, fielding questions during the morning. Among them, Carter was asked if he believed he could become the top pick in the draft, and Carter built his case as the best player available.

“I think it’s very realistic,” said Carter in regard to potentially being drafted with the No. 1 overall pick. “I feel like I’m the best player in the country, and the best player should go No. 1.”

On the field, Abdul Carter built his case with plenty of elite game tape. He finished 7th in the nation with 12 sacks and led the nation with 23.5 TFL, spearheading one of the best overall defenses in the country.

No. 1 pick odds

At this point, Carter is not quite the favorite to become the No. 1 overall pick with DraftKings favoring Cam Ward at -140. Carter is not far behind though, checking in at +145.

Entering the NFL Combine, those 2 players are the only ones given a realistic shot at the top pick. The Colorado duo of Travis Hunter and Shedeur Sanders have the next-best odds to become the top pick, but they are listed at just +700 and +850, respectively. Any of the Maryland betting sites are a great way to get started today.