It’s officially draft day, a momentous occasion for a pair of Penn State players, destined to hear their names called early into Thursday night’s festivities. There’s hardly a question whether Abdul Carter and Tyler Warren will become first-round selections, but more so a matter of just how quickly they come off the board.
And in his final mock draft of the year, NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah has Carter and Warren making history for the Nittany Lions. Jeremiah has projected Carter and Warren to become the first set of Penn State players selected in the draft’s first 10 picks since Courtney Brown and LaVar Arrington were taken No. 1 and 2 in 2000.
Where exactly are Carter and Warren slotted to end up?
ABDUL CARTER, PICK 3, NEW YORK GIANTS
He was once projected by Jeremiah to become the draft’s first overall selection, but it appears the Tennessee Titans have set their sights on quarterback Cam Ward. Still, Carter should remain in the top five. He’d become the first Nittany Lion to do so since Saquon Barkley went No. 2 to the New York Giants. And Carter could be following a similar path.
Carter would become the staple of a New York pass rushing corps that already boasts two stars in Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux. There could be some movement at the front end of the draft, but Carter isn’t likely to fall too far regardless of what team ends up picking at No. 3.
“There’s been chatter about the Giants potentially trading out of this pick, but if they stay put, I think they address the defensive line,” Jeremiah wrote. “Carter could take their front from good to great.”
TYLER WARREN, PICK 10, CHICAGO BEARS
It’s become quite clear that Warren is viewed as the top tight end in this year’s draft, surpassing Michigan’s Colston Loveland. The Chicago Bears are searching for a piece to get the best out of second-year quarterback Caleb Williams, and Warren would certainly provide an edge if he ends up there at No. 10.
Warren has been projected by analysts to land anywhere from the No. 7 pick to No. 14. If he goes top-10, he’d become the first Penn State tight end to do so since Kyle Brady went No. 9 overall to the New York Jets in 1995.
“With the top offensive linemen and Jeanty off the board, Warren becomes a very attractive piece for Ben Johnson’s offense,” Jeremiah wrote. “The Bears will be living in 12 personnel with Warren, Cole Kmet, DJ Moore and Rome Odunze on the field. That’s a group to be excited about.”
