Recent CBS mock draft has two Penn State standouts as top 15 picks

Now that Penn State’s season has been over for a bit, many eyes are on the players who are making the leap to the NFL. With All-Star games like the Senior Bowl and East-West Shrine Bowl coming up as well, we are firmly into draft season. Penn State has several players who could potentially be selected, but two stand out as likely first-round picks.

Abdul Carter and Tyler Warren were both elite players in 2024, with each being considered one of if not the best players at their respective positions in all of college football. Carter was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, while Warren was awarded the Mackey Award as the nation’s top tight end.

The NFL draft community is well aware of their talents, as a recent mock draft by CBS analyst Chris Trapasso had them both going inside the top 15 picks. Carter was selected sixth overall by the Tennessee Titans in a trade-down scenario, while Warren was scooped up by the Dallas Cowboys at 12th overall. Both were the first players at their position to be selected.

Carter’s draft stock has no upper limit in my opinion. The Titans got him at six in this scenario but he may be in play for them even at number one. The fit makes sense for a defense that finished tied for 30th in sacks with just 32, especially with the quarterbacks in this class not inspiring much confidence.

Warren meanwhile would give the Cowboys a true difference-maker to pair with receiver CeeDee Lamb and QB Dak Prescott. His ability to line up all over the formation and be a primary target would make it very hard for defenses to focus on Lamb. They already have solid tight ends on the roster like Jake Ferguson and Luke Schoonmaker, but none of them are close to the weapon Warren could be.

Whether both Carter and Warren end up being top 15 picks or not, it’s good to see them both get plenty of love after stellar seasons.

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