Insider Says Abdul Carter 'Is the Pick' for Browns over Shedeur Sanders in NFL Draft

Edge-rusher Abdul Carter is considered to be the eventual No. 2 overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft for the Cleveland Browns over quarterback Shedeur Sanders, according to ESPN's Jake Trotter.

"What I'm hearing, is that Abdul Carter is the pick," Trotter said during a radio appearance on 850 ESPN Cleveland.

"I don't care if you have a quarterback or not, you ain't going anywhere next year anyway," he added.

Cleveland's depth chart at quarterback for the 2025 season is thin, especially with Deshaun Watson's murky future with the team after he re-injured a torn Achilles at the start of the offseason.

The Browns traded for former first-round pick Kenny Pickett on March 10 after he served as a backup for the Philadelphia Eagles in 2024.

With their need for a long-term option under center, potentially selecting Sanders makes sense. Cleveland reportedly has a private workout scheduled with the Colorado passer.

The Browns appear to be focused on selecting the best player available at No. 2 instead of reaching to fill a hole at quarterback, though.

Carter was dominant at Penn State during his senior season, racking up 68 tackles, 24 tackles for loss, 12 sacks and two forced fumbles.

The 21-year-old had dinner with a "large contingent" of Browns officials including general manager Andrew Berry on Thursday, per ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Carter would immediately form an imposing pass-rushing duo with Myles Garrett, who received a four-year extension worth $40 million per year from the Browns on March 9.

Cleveland could also target a quarterback with a Day 2 pick in the 2025 draft if it were to select Carter at No. 2 overall.

In the latest mock draft from Bleacher Report's NFL Scouting Department, the Browns were projected to add Sanders with their first-round selection. Carter was picked by the New England Patriots at No. 4.

As Cleveland mulls its options with the No. 2 pick, Carter is reportedly the top candidate.