Do the Cleveland Browns need Abdul Carter?
Yes, and all signs now point to them using their No. 2 overall pick in next month's NFL Draft on the Penn State pass rusher Abdul Carter.
Do the Browns also need a quarterback?
Yes, even though after meeting with Shedeur Sanders, their interest in him has reportedly waned a bit.
But ... what if the Browns are somehow crafty and clever enough to draft ... both?
With the news that the Tennessee Titans will most likely take QB Cam Ward in the No. 1 slot, the expectation for the Browns' top pick has shifted.
ESPN's Adam Schefter has already reported that the Browns are leaning toward taking Carter at No. 2. And on Friday, Schefter doubled down on that and by reporting that Carter had dinner with a "contingent of Browns officials" in Pennsylvania.
"Ahead of Penn State's Pro Day today, Abdul Carter had dinner last night in State College, Pa., with a large contingent of Browns officials, including owners Jimmy Haslem, JW Johnson and GM Andrew Berry," Schefter reported on X. "Earlier this month, Carter visited the Browns' facility and met with multiple team officials."
Nothing wrong with that ... even as there are some concerns about Carter and a foot issue and now an apparent minor shoulder ailment.
So ...
Carter won't be participating in the Nittany Lions' Pro Day per Carter's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, as Schefter reported.
"He is still finishing up rehab on the shoulder injury he had from the Boise State game," Rosenhaus told Schefter on Thursday. "He may still do a workout for teams sometime in mid-April."
The Browns would certainly appreciate that. And maybe they'd like a little help from the Atlanta Falcons to jump back into the first round with one more major swing ...
That would land them Shedeur as the new face of the offense as a bookend with Carter as the new young face of the defense.
That's the brainchild of a fun exercise at NFL.com, which you can read about here, where as it goes ...
"The Browns could jump back into the first round -- giving up high picks in Rounds 2 (No. 33 overall), 3 (No. 67) and 4 (No. 104) -- to get the passer who best fits a Kevin Stefanski offense. Cleveland's coach wants a tough, smart, accurate pocket passer, and those are Sanders' best qualities.''
Likely? No. A productive and wild Day 1 in the NFL Draft? It would be all of that.
Related: Browns Meet with Potential Defensive Star Ahead of NFL Draft
Related: Shedeur Gets Unusual Comp from Draft Expert
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This story was originally published March 28, 2025 at 5:37 PM.