2025 NFL Draft: Mel Kiper wants Browns to take Shedeur Sanders but says team will select Abdul Carter

The Cleveland Browns have the No. 2 overall pick in this year’s NFL draft and could take quarterback Shedeur Sanders or pass rusher Abdul Carter. On ESPN’s SportsCenter Special: Mel Kiper’s Mock Draft 3.0, Mel Kiper said he would take Sanders if he ran the Browns. However, the NFL Draft analyst believes Cleveland will take Carter with their first pick.

“Hey, I would take Shedeur Sanders, but this is a mock draft,” Kiper said. “This is what we think they will do, and that would be Abdul Carter to put opposite Myles Garrett. They haven’t had that ability to come off the edge on both sides. Abdul Carter unleashed off the edge this year, if you’re playing off-ball, went from 48 tackles to 68, six tackles for loss to 24 and four and a half sacks to 12 sacks. Had five forced fumbles during his career at Penn State. A kid who plays the run well seals the edge, but that ability to finish and close when you have Garrett, one of the best all-time coming off the edge, now you put a guy like Carter opposite Garrett, you got something going there.”

Mel Kiper added, “Abdul Carter with Garrett? Are you kidding me? A quarterback’s gonna have to bring it that day That offensive line better be ready and that quarterback better be ready to get hit when Abdul Carter and Myles Garrett coming after you.”

Will the Browns take Shedeur Sanders or Abdul Carter

The Browns are in an interesting position as they could use both players. Having Abdul Carter play opposite Myles Garrett would make the defense much stronger. But with DeShaun Watson not living up to expectations for the Browns at the QB, position, they may need a reset, and Sanders would be a strong selection.

Before Kiper appeared on the ESPN show, he released his third mock draft and revealed that the Browns could take wide receiver/defensive back Travis Hunter. “This is close. Really close,” Kiper wrote. “Travis Hunter would be outstanding here, regardless of whether the Browns use him on offense or defense. But I ultimately settled on Carter because he gives Jim Schwartz the second top-tier edge rusher that he has coveted since becoming Cleveland’s defensive coordinator in 2023. The Browns would suddenly have two great wide-9 pass rushers in Carter and Myles Garrett, who was extended earlier this month after initially requesting a trade.”

We’ll find out who the Browns will take when the NFL Draft takes place in Green Bay starting on Thursday, Apr. 24. The event will air on ABC, ESPN, NFL Network and ESPN Deportes.