Why the Cowboys Have to Draft Abdul Carter if Available
The Cowboys are heading into the 2025 NFL Draft with the 12th overall pick with a lot of holes to fill. The Cowboys could use any help on the offensive side of the football. Drafting a receiver or even a running back like Ashton Jeanty could be their answer. Dallas could also look towards the defensive side of the ball with talents like Mason Graham or Will Johnson. Even the option of taking an offensive lineman could be the answer, as Dallas is known for a great offensive line by choices in the first round. However, the answer with the 12th pick could not be more clear for Dallas if he is available. If the Cowboys have a chance to grab Abdul Carter from Penn State, they should take him 100 percent.
Carter is a linebacker-turned-edge rusher from Penn State who was granted the ability to wear the coveted number 11 at the school, following school legends like Micah Parsons, LaVar Arrington, and NaVorro Bowman. This season, Carter racked up over 12 sacks and 68 total tackles on his way to leading the Penn State defense all the way to the CFP Semifinals against Notre Dame. Carter’s burst off the line of scrimmage, paired with his speed; has been wrecking college offenses all season. Carter also has a solid eye for the ball carrier, being able to react quickly to plays and disrupt the backfield. What is most impressive about Carter is his potential; while only playing one year as an edge rusher, he has shown that under the right coaching staff, he can become great. With all that being said about his talent, Carter can be compared to only one other person in the NFL; that man happens to be wearing 11 for the Dallas Cowboys.
If Carter does fall into the hands of Dallas at the 12th pick, it should be a no-brainer selection. To be able to pair Parsons with a clone of himself would be unfair to the league. Both of their get-offs on the line of scrimmage would have quarterbacks throwing the ball away and feeling pressured all game. Not to mention the potential amount of sacks they could get and the flags they would draw together. Parsons is also in agreement with the idea of drafting Carter, posting on X sayings, “It’s only right the NFL lets me and Abdul play together!!” Dallas may have other issues in different areas of the roster, but to miss the chance of pairing these two physically gifted athletes together would be a waste.
