The last time I dove into this exercise, things looked a lot different.
In October, popular NFL midseason mock drafts had Abdul Carter landing around pick No. 15, Tyler Warren as a third rounder and Drew Allar declaring for the draft. The NFL season wasn’t over yet, and the draft order was far from set.
None of those things are realities today, as Carter is a surefire top-10 pick, Warren could land inside the top 15 and Allar (and plenty of other buzzworthy draft candidates) is back in Happy Valley for a final season with the Nittany Lions.
With Penn State’s pro day kicking off around 9 a.m. Friday, NFL coaches, scouts and front office members will gather in Holuba Hall to check out the likes of the eligible Lions. Players — minus Carter — will participate in drills through the morning before each player conducts interviews with local media. It’s their final chance to make an on-field impression before the NFL Draft starts in Green Bay on April 26.
So, what better time than now to check out the latest landing spots in mock drafts across the country? Let’s get started with the big one, Carter, who could wind up as high as No. 1 overall.
Penn State footall: First day of spring practice
Former Penn State defensive end Abdul Carter looks on during the first day of spring practice on March 25, 2025. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.comJoe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com
DE ABDUL CARTER
PFF: 3rd overall to New York Giants
CBS (Edwards): 2nd overall to Cleveland Browns
ESPN (Miller): 2nd overall to Cleveland Browns
NFL.com (Jeremiah): 2nd overall to Cleveland Browns
NFL.com (Davis): 3rd overall to New York Giants
NFL.com (Reuter): 2nd overall to Cleveland Browns
Tankathon: 2nd overall to Cleveland Browns
NFL Combine Football, Tyler Warren
Tyler Warren, who captured the John Mackey Award for the nation's top tight end, will be working out at the 2025 NFL combine. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)AP
TE TYLER WARREN
PFF: 14th overall to Indianapolis Colts
CBS (Edwards): 22nd overall to Los Angeles Chargers
ESPN (Miller): 12th overall to Dallas Cowboys
NFL.com (Jeremiah): 14th overall to Indianapolis Colts
NFL.com (Davis): 7th overall to New York Jets
NFL.com (Reuter): 12th overall to Denver Broncos
Tankathon: 14th overall to Indianapolis Colts
Penn State vs Ohio State, Nov. 2, 2024
Injured Penn State safety Kevin Winston Jr. wears a brace on his right leg during warmups before the Ohio State game on Nov. 2, 2024. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.comPennLive
S KEVIN WINSTON JR.
CBS (Edwards): 64th overall (second round) to Philadelphia Eagles
ESPN (Miller): 61st overall (second round) to Washington Commanders
NFL.com (Reuter): 56th overall (second round) to Buffalo Bills
Tankathon: 80th overall (third round) to Indianapolis Colts
Thursday at the NFL Combine
Penn State safety Jaylen Reed answers questions from the podium during the NFL Combine media session on Feb. 27, 2025. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.comJoe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com
S JAYLEN REED
ESPN (Miller): 73rd overall (third round) to New York Jets
LB KOBE KING
ESPN (Miller): 146th overall (fifth round) to Carolina Panthers
Draft Network: 10th overall to New York Jets
Not listed: WR Julian Fleming, OL Sal Wormley, DT Dvon J-Thomas, DT Coziah Izzard, DE Amin Vanover
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