With 2024 drawing to a close, many are eager for the offseason to begin. The New York Jets are ready to start 2025 with major changes—a new general manager. The head coach candidates are being interviewed. The expedition for a non-Aaron Rodgers answer at starting quarterback. But, taking priority is the excitement over a top-ten draft pick. New York will have their choice of talent within the top 10. With the Jets needing to improve their defense, the defensive line is a big position of need. One option could be a talented edge rusher who not only lit the Big Ten up for Penn State but knows last year’s first-round pick very well.
Jets Eying Another Penn State Player in the First Round?
Last year, the Jets traded back from tenth overall to eleventh to draft Olu Fashanu. The towering left tackle was one of the best offensive linemen in the nation. The former Nittany Lion displayed the franchise-changing impact with New York this season. By replacing Tyron Smith with Fashanu, the Jets’ pass protection improved with Olu blocking the blindside. You can see the difference between Olu at left tackle vs. Max Mitchell blocking on full display vs the Buffalo Bills last Sunday. So why not revisit Happy Valley, PA with another Nittany Lion in New York? Except this time at the defensive end position.
Penn State Pass Rusher Abdul Carter to the Jets?
In the 2025 draft class, few defensive linemen stand out like Abdul Carter. An outside linebacker converted to defensive end, Abdul took the change in stride and it proved fruitful. The Philadelphia native recorded his first double-digit sack season at 11 sacks. With the addition of over 60 total tackles and two forced fumbles. As a result, the 6’3 259lb junior earned unanimous All-American honors this year.
Abdul Carter is elite in a lot of categories but his best trait may be his acceleration. This is insane
— LandonTengwall (@landon_tengwall) November 16, 2024
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Carter’s quick step is elite to allow him to explode at the line of scrimmage. A twitchy edge rusher, Carter uses his speed to disrupt timing and create pressure on the quarterback. Carter’s challenges against run blockers do limit his potential. He lacks the consistent strength to overpower bigger tackles, but his experience in coverage as a former linebacker is a positive. To succeed early, Carter better hope he can work with a defensive-minded coach who uses him as a situational pass rusher. If he can hit the weight room in the future, he can wind up having a similar impact to his fellow former Nittany Lion Micah Parsons of the Dallas Cowboys.
Why Abdul Carter could fit with the Jets?
As things stand, many draft experts have mocked Abdul Carter to the Jets in their draft. That wasn’t a coincidence. With news of Mike Vrabel being a major candidate for head coach, he is going to want to remake the defense in his image. In order to achieve this, he will need to get creative in the defensive line rotation.
When Robert Saleh was head coach, the Jets strength came from their defensive line. Using Jonathan Franklin Myers, Jermaine Johnson, Bryce Huff, and Will McDonald kept the defensive line energy up last year. The fresh bodies made life easier to create pressure and lead to turnovers. The overbearing presence of Quinnen Williams on the interior can help create opportunities for Carter to get after the quarterback off the edge. Such an effect was witnessed with the breakouts of Jermaine Johnson last year and with Will McDonald this season. Having Abdul Carter rotate in and out will allow the Jets to keep McDonald and Johnson fresh, while also disrupting the offensive line’s timing.
I am ALL-IN on PSU EDGE Abdul Carter. He’s Micah Parsons-esque.
If the #Jets don’t get a QB, he’s the guy for me. pic.twitter.com/WGeYibHOAr
— Frankie V (@FrankieVitz) December 9, 2024
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Another key bonus for New York selecting Abdul Carter would be to reunite with Olu Fashanu. He knows Carter after being teammates for Fashanu’s final two seasons at school. Now that Fashanu has a season of NFL experience under his belt, he can help Carter get acclimated to the league’s stronger offensive tackles. Plus, Fashanu can pass along the knowledge he gained from veterans like Tyron Smith & Morgan Moses to his advantage to beat more experienced offensive tackles.
There is a lot that can change over the offseason. However, the opportunity to add a potential impact player on the defensive line can help get the defense back to 2022-23 production. Abdul Carter has flashed the potential to be that kind of player.
Main Photo: [Matthew O’Haren] – USA Today Sports
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