ESPN released a new mock draft this week (subscription required) ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft that gets underway April 24.
ESPN draft analysts Mel Kiper Jr. and Field Yates alternated selections over the course of the three-round mock draft.
Barrett Carter was eventually selected, though the former Clemson star linebacker didn’t come off the board until the very end of the third round.
Kiper ultimately made Carter his pick for the Detroit Lions with the 102nd overall selection – the final pick of the third round.
“I thought about Central Arkansas edge rusher David Walker because I really think he’s going before Round 4,” Kiper wrote. “But after using their first-round pick on Mykel Williams, the Lions might opt to touch up the linebacker room with Carter. He could contribute in a lot of ways; Carter had 77 tackles, 3.5 sacks and 9 pass breakups last season.”
A two-time All-America selection and two-time All-ACC honoree, Carter was credited by Clemson’s coaching staff with 254 tackles (31.5 for loss), 12.5 sacks, 24 pass breakups, three interceptions, two forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries over 52 games (40 starts) from 2021-24.
At the conclusion of his career, Carter’s 2,482 career snaps were the most by a Tiger linebacker on record. He was the only player in the nation during his four-year career to record at least 30 tackles for loss, at least 20 pass breakups and three or more interceptions.
The 2025 NFL Draft is set to be held from April 24-26 in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
Kiper currently ranks Carter as the eighth-best off-ball linebacker in this year’s draft class.