INDIANAPOLIS – Abdul Carter has a list of top edge rushers in the league that he's modeled his game after. One of those current players is Browns DE Myles Garrett.

As Carter has grown his own game, he's taken notes from the former Defensive Player of the Year. He's watched how Garrett has established himself as one of the top pass rushers in the league and dominate in the Browns defensive scheme.

While Carter aspires to be drafted as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, he has also considered what it would be like to play opposite of someone like Garrett. The Browns hold the No. 2 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, and Carter has been one of the names mocked to the Browns by different draft experts and analysts.

"That'd be dope," Carter said. "Myles is one of the guys I've studied, one of the guys I watch. Just his game, the way he can impact the game as a pass rusher and as a defender overall, as a special teamer jumping over the pile, blocking the kick. He's one of the guys I study and try to emulate my game after."

Carter views his skill set as an edge rusher as one that defines him as a franchise player at the position. He believes his ghost rush is his best pass rush, and added that his energy, effort and versatility are elements of his style of play that set him apart from other edge rushers in the class.

He has gained confidence in his game through the work he's put in during his career thus far. His dad, Christopher Carter, helped trained Carter throughout his childhood, instilling in him the goal to be the best player both on and off the field.

"I feel like I'm the best player in the country," Carter said. "My goal is to come in and be the guy."

He was the guy at Penn State. Carter ended his collegiate career with 172 tackles, 41 tackles for loss, 23 sacks, one interception, 13 passes defensed and five forced fumbles. While he established himself as an elite pass rusher in college, he also grew as a leader.

"It's something that had to step up into this year at Penn State," Carter said. "One of our captains went down, so I had to be a lot more vocal, a lot more just bringing the team behind me, just being the example that people can watch and setting the pace."

As Carter takes the next step in his football career and fulfilling a lifelong dream of playing in the NFL, he knows there are areas of his game that he can improve. He highlighted how he can use his hands more, run his feet on contact and strike better.

He has been rehabbing from a shoulder injury he sustained against Boise State, but Carter said he has been cleared to start training and working out again. He said he feels about 90 percent healthy and will use the next few weeks to prepare before his pro day on March 28 so he can perform at an elite level.

While Carter won't participate in the drills at the NFL Combine, he's meeting with teams to continue through the draft process. Carter said teams have been asking him questions getting to know him as a person and a player, as well as reviewing his film. Some have asked about both good plays and bad plays he made over his collegiate career.

Carter said he is currently at his goal weight of 248 pounds, one that he plans to play at in the league. He believes he isn't too small for the defensive line.

"It's all about heart for me. It's all about will for me, and I got more than anybody," Carter said.

Browns Executive Vice President of Football Operations and General Manager Andrew Berry said as he has evaluated Carter, he believes that Carter is big enough to be an every-down defensive end in 4-3 scheme.

"He's tough, physical," Berry said. "Rare athlete with outstanding speed. He's special in his own regard that he can play off the ball as well as rush the passer. So, he's an excellent prospect."