Tarron Davenport
INDIANAPOLIS – Former Penn State pass rusher Abdul Carter has insisted on the first pick of the draft defensive player, especially himself.
“Defensive players have as much of an impact on the game as quarterbacks,” Carter said. “All the teams that won the Super Bowl, they have that outstanding player, and I feel that way.”
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Carter is No. 1 in ESPN draft analyst Melkipper Jr.’s latest mock draft and second in ESPN consensus rankings.
Carter is competing with quarterbacks Cam Ward and Shedale Sanders and Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter to become the first pick. Carter said he met with the Tennessee Titans, who holds the top pick at the combine.
“I feel it’s very realistic,” Carter said there is a chance that he could go first. “I am the best player in the country and I feel that the best player should be chosen first.
The team will have to wait for Carter to work, as shoulder/arm injuries prevent them from participating in the combined testing portion. The injury did not prevent him from playing in the loss to Notre Dame in Pennsylvania’s state in the college football playoff semi-finals.
Carter said he is about 90% and will step up his training with Brent Callaway at the EXOS training facility in Plano, Texas, to prepare for his Pro Day in Pennsylvania.
According to Carter, he is at a target weight of 248 pounds. He added that he is willing to put any weight the team wants from him. Carter finished with 12 sacks last season.
Carter said he plans to attend the draft in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
