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Todd McShay Claims No. 1 NFL Draft Prospect Could Fall Out Of Top 3

Originally posted on The Spun | By Daniel Bates | Last updated Apr 15, 2025 9:27 PM ET

There was a time when some thought Penn State's Abdul Carter could go first overall. Now there's a universe that exists where he could fall out of the top 3, says NFL Draft analyst Todd McShay.

Speaking on the Nittany Lions star a handful of days before April 24's event, McShay revealed that he has intel that there's a real chance Carter falls to the New England Patriots at pick No. 4.

"10 days out from the NFL Draft... the agent doesn't let Abdul Carter travel to Foxborough, Massachusetts if he thinks there's a chance," the commentator argued on his self-titled show.

"So the agent's getting the same information that I'm getting, that NFL teams are getting— that Shedeur could be in-play at three," he continued. "So if you're a Patriots fan and you're like, 'I like Will Campbell a lot [offensive tackle],' I'm told it's either Abdul if he falls to four or it's Will Campbell."

Some evaluators have cited "character concerns" when it comes to Carter. But during the pre-draft process, Pats head coach Mike Vrabel seemed to reveal that character wouldn't necessarily be a dealbreaker for them if the player is talented enough.

"We don't want to take risks. We want to be aggressive. I think there's a difference between taking risks and being aggressive in adding quality players and people to the roster," Vrabel said, via MassLive.com.

GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 31: Defensive End Abdul Carter #11 of the Penn State Nittany Lions reacts after a big play during the Penn State Nittany Lions versus Boise State Broncos College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl on December 31,2024, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, AZ. (Photo by Kevin Abele/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)Icon Sportswire/Getty Images

"Certainly, the talent of the player has to be evaluated first. And then, you go through a lot of different exercises and conversations, and you figure out the type of person [he is]. But you can't win, and you can't do what we want to do with just a bunch of good dudes."

Who knows the legitimacy of those concerns when it comes to Carter but it's something that's made headlines over the past few weeks. We'll see where his fortunes ultimately lie just a little over 7 days from now.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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