NFL Draft intel: Should AFC team take Penn State's Abdul Carter instead of a QB?

Each week, Yardbarker monitors the 2025 NFL Draft, scheduled April 24-26 in Green Bay. 

From a Penn State pass-rusher to a Syracuse running back, here are five players we are tracking: 

Should the Browns pair Penn State edge-rusher Abdul Carter with 2023 Defensive Player of the Year? 

The Cleveland Browns (3-14) have the No. 2 overall pick and need a quarterback to replace Deshaun Watson, who recently re-injured his Achilles tendon and may miss the 2025 season. However, CBS Sports' Mike Renner thinks they should take Carter (6-foot-3, 259 pounds)

"Pairing Abdul Carter with Myles Garrett is too scary a proposition to pass up," wrote Renner in his latest mock draft. "It was a slow start, but by the end of Carter's first season as an edge-rusher for the Nittany Lions, he was unblockable." 

According to Pro Football Focus, the first-team All-American finished with 66 pressures in 16 games, second in the FBS.

If Cleveland feels it can't pass on Carter, it could sign a free-agent QB, perhaps Sam Darnold of the Minnesota Vikings or Justin Fields of the Pittsburgh Steelers. 

How Texas QB Quinn Ewers could win over teams 

On Wednesday, Ewers (6-foot-2, 210 pounds) declared for the draft. ESPN's Pete Thamel reported the QB is a divisive prospect but could impress during the pre-draft process. 

"Ewers will be a fascinating draft prospect, as one general manager told ESPN that among his scouts there was a 'wild variance' of opinions," wrote Thamel. "He's expected to perform well in the workout and interview portions of the draft process, with time in a sophisticated offense a positive in the eyes of the NFL."

On his updated hot board, ESPN's Jordan Reid ranks Ewers the No. 5 QB in the class, projecting him as a late second- or early third-day pick.

Ewers finished with the third-most touchdown passes (68) in program history but must display better deep-ball accuracy to improve his stock. Per PFF, he completed 38.2 percent of his deep passes (20-plus yards) in 14 games. 

Is Ohio State edge-rusher Jack Sawyer a potential first-rounder? 

Will a strong showing in the College Football Playoff help Sawyer (6-foot-5, 260 pounds) vault into the first round? 

In three CFP games, Sawyer has 4.5 sacks and six passes defended. Against Texas in the CFP semifinal, his 83-yard scoop-and-score late in the fourth quarter sealed a 28-14 win.