INDIANAPOLIS -- Former Penn State pass rusher Abdul Carter made a case for a defensive player, specifically himself, to be the first player selected in the draft.
"Defensive players impact the game just as much as the quarterback," Carter said. "All the teams that have won Super Bowls, they have that one standout player. I feel like I'm that."
Carter is No. 1 on ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr.'s most recent mock draft and is the No. 2 prospect in ESPN's consensus rankings.
Carter is competing with quarterbacks Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders along with reigning Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter to be the No.