The Carolina Panthers have two huge problems with the quarterback position. Not only do they lack a definitive answer under center, but they also don’t have any for opposing quarterbacks either.
That was the conundrum ESPN analyst Jordan Reid faced in his early 2025 NFL mock draft.
With the Panthers sitting on the third pick in this simulation, Reid balanced the prospects of taking a new passer and taking a much-needed building block on defense for this talent-deprived roster. Well, he opts for the latter—selecting Penn State pass rusher Abdul Carter.
Reid writes:
The Panthers are lacking impact players at edge rusher; they are getting pressure just 20% of the time (last in the NFL) and have a 31.7% pass rush win rate (28th). Carter would immediately be the team’s best young player there. After a slow start, the converted off-ball linebacker is steadily adjusting to his edge role, racking up four sacks and 18 pressures over six games.
In addition to his 4.0 sacks, Carter has amassed 10 tackles for a loss—currently the most in the Big Ten Conference.
That probably appeals to the Carolina defense, which has totaled only six sacks through six weeks. Oh, and they’ve allowed the most points in the NFL heading into Week 7.
So, yeah, Carter would be a fine addition.
