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Abdul Carter Lands with NFC Playoff Contender in Surprise Mock Draft

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Nate Lunak | Last updated Apr 10, 2025 10:21 AM ET

Abdul Carter is coming off an amazing season with the Penn State Nittany Lions, accumulating 68 tackles, 24 tackles for loss, 12 sacks, four pass deflections and two forced fumbles.

Unfortunately, any team that doesn't already have a top-five pick in the 2025 NFL Draft is unlikely to snag him without making a big move, as ESPN's big board ranks him as the No. 1 player available.

That's why in a mock draft done by The 33rd Team, Marcus Mosher predicts the San Francisco 49ers will make a trade with the New York Giants, moving up from No. 11 to No. 3 to select Carter.

"The 49ers desperately need pass-rush help opposite Nick Bosa, and they clearly believe they can be a Super Bowl contender right now," Mosher wrote. "They push their chips to the middle of the table to add an impact pass rusher who can make a big impact from Day 1. Giving up a 2026 first-rounder stings, but John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan have always been aggressive, and adding arguably the best player in the class could help them get back to contending for NFC Championships."

San Francisco's pass rush could use someone like Carter after finishing 2024 tied for 23rd in sacks (37), tied for 17th in quarterback knockdowns (43), tied for 27th in hurries (37) and 27th in pressures (117).

The 49ers are also looking for a bounce-back season, going 6-11 in 2024 after an impressive stretch from 2021 to 2023, where they lost in two NFC Championship Games and one Super Bowl.

That could certainly happen as the they currently have the best odds of winning the NFC West in 2025 (+140), per ESPN BET, and there's no doubt that someone like Carter would improve that.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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