Patriots Face Tough Decision on Drafting Abdul Carter Despite Character Concerns

If Abdul Carter falls to the New England Patriots at No. 4 overall in the 2025 NFL Draft, it may be hard for Mike Vrabel and the team to pass on the chance to add an elite talent to their defense. However, there has been recent speculation regarding character concerns about the Penn State edge rusher. Would these issues cause the Patriots to hesitate?

Based on Vrabel’s comments at a pre-draft press conference, the Patriots are unlikely to rule out drafting Carter, even if those concerns are valid.

“You can’t win, you can’t do what we want to do with just a bunch of good dudes,” Vrabel said. “That’s not going to get it done.”

Vrabel, who took over as head coach after the 2024 season, has emphasized his goal of removing entitlement from the Patriots’ locker room. While drafting Carter might seem contrary to that objective, Albert Breer of The MMQB believes New England would be making a mistake by passing on Carter if he’s available.

“The concerns are valid, but they’re not enough to overlook a talent like this,” Breer said during Tuesday’s Early Edition. “It would be foolish, especially considering the premium nature of that position. Great defenses typically have players like him. Many top pass rushers have their own quirks. Myles Garrett, Micah Parsons, and T.J. Watt all have traits that might not sit well with everyone. That’s just part of the deal.”

Breer went on to suggest that the Patriots would have to decide if they’re willing to take on these challenges in Vrabel’s first year as head coach. However, he feels the opportunity to draft such high-end talent is too significant to pass up.

Carter, who visited the Patriots on Monday, is a disruptive force on tape. Vrabel praised his dynamic skills, calling him a “very loose, slippery sudden player” with the potential to be an impact pass rusher. Last season, Carter posted 12 sacks, 24 tackles for loss, and two forced fumbles for Penn State. His addition would provide a much-needed boost to New England’s pass rush, which finished last in the league with just 28 sacks.

If Carter is unavailable, the Patriots still have other intriguing options at No. 4. LSU left tackle Will Campbell would address a major need, and versatile playmaker Travis Hunter, a wide receiver/cornerback from Colorado, could bring excitement with his two-way potential.

The 2025 NFL Draft is a critical one for New England as the team looks to accelerate its rebuild after two consecutive 4-13 seasons. The draft begins on Thursday, April 24, with the Tennessee Titans holding the first pick.

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