The 2025 NFL Draft is just days away, and one thing is certain: there’s no consensus on where each player should be slotted.
Put 30 NFL scouts in a room and ask them about a single player, and you’re likely to get 30 different opinions. This same uncertainty applies to draft analysts, including former players and longtime NFL observers like CBS Sports NFL writer Pete Prisco.
Recently, Prisco shared his “Better-Than” team, a group of players he feels deserve more recognition than they’re currently getting. One standout on his list is Clemson linebacker Barrett Carter, a player who, according to many NFL draft analysts, is viewed as a late third-round pick.
Prisco, however, believes Carter, a 6-foot-1, 230-pound linebacker with four years of experience at Clemson, deserves better. He recalled first noticing Carter while evaluating other Tigers prospects and drew a comparison to Lavonte David, a 13-year NFL veteran who anchored the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ defense throughout his career. David earned All-Pro honors, made the Pro Bowl, and helped the Bucs win a Super Bowl, racking up 1,602 tackles and 13 interceptions along the way.
Prisco praised Carter as the “perfect run-and-chase linebacker for the modern game,” noting his ability to excel in today’s fast-paced NFL.
In one recent ESPN mock draft, Carter was selected No. 102 by the Detroit Lions. Another mock had him going No. 99 overall to the New York Giants.
Carter wrapped up his college career as a four-year letterman and a two-time All-American, tallying 254 tackles, 31.5 tackles for loss, 12.5 sacks, 24 pass breakups, three interceptions, two forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries. He started 40 of 52 career games.
Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney has called Carter “one of the best pure football players I’ve had in 20 years.” Carter is also the fifth linebacker under Swinney’s leadership to earn multiple All-ACC selections.
In his final season, Carter was named first-team All-ACC, finishing with 84 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, nine pass breakups, and a fumble recovery over 14 games. He was also a finalist for the Butkus Award, given to the nation’s top linebacker.
In addition to Carter, several other Clemson players could hear their names called during the draft. Safety RJ Mickens, who completed his career with 229 tackles, has been mentioned as a potential fourth-round pick. Defensive tackle Payton Page, who played over 1,000 snaps with the Tigers, is viewed by some as a possible sixth-round selection after finishing his career with 69 tackles.
Tight end Jack Briningstool, who caught 127 passes during his time at Clemson, is also projected as a sixth-round pick. Offensive guard Marcus Tate, a recent All-ACC selection, is expected to go in the seventh round.
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