bkight13;3932483 said:
Yeah, but he was a converted Safety that bulked up and kept his speed. Carter has that kind of potential.
I don't disagree which is why every profile has him listed as an OLB in a 4-3.
He was generally regarded as a speed player whose biggest asset is coverage.
I just read 6 or 7 profiles in the last hour and they all are very similar.
Insanely fast player with great special teams ability. Needs work on strength and tackling and is listed as a 4-3 OLB.
From Sideline Scouting:
Positives: Good speed... Has good strength for his size, but could stand to add a little weight to frame... Excellent special teams performer, has blocked six kicks in college career... Does good job breaking down feet and getting in position to wrap up when tackling... Plays with pretty good motor, does not take plays off often and always tries to get to the play... Has a lot of experience dropping into zone coverage, does not make a lot of big plays in coverage, but is always quick to get to the ball in the air... Very sound mentally and is an overall fundamental player who rarely makes a big mistake... Hard worker with a lot of potential, always working to improve his game.
Negatives: Timid when diagnosing plays, more concerned with maintaining duties than relying on instincts... Not a heavy hitter, tends to wrap up at the ankles rather than forming up and driving through ball carrier... Must develop more as a pass rusher, gets caught up in blocks at line of scrimmage and can be neutralized easily by stronger offensive linemen... Had reconstructive surgery to repair a torn ACL in mid-December, will likely not be available for the combine or North Carolina's pro day.
From the National Football Post:
One of the more gifted athletes you're going to see at the position. Possesses a long, athletic-looking frame and is at his best when asked to click and close and make plays in pursuit. Showcases great explosion once he locates the football and quickly is able to get from point A to point B. Exhibits impressive length and range when asked to break down and wrap up on contact. ...
The biggest knock on him is his inability to quickly react to the football. Isn't real instinctive, doesn't consistently trust what he sees and rarely gets an early jump on the pass. Puts himself in position to make plays on the football, but is slow to get his head around in the pass game and adjust to the throw.
However, has a real savvy for blocking kicks, is explosive, can cleanly change directions and does a great job dropping his pad level and accelerating after the football. Could have a real impact as a special teams guy early in the career.
Impression: A gifted athlete who has the makings of a starting weakside backer in the NFL. But I do have some questions about his instincts, which could end up holding him back from ever becoming a real impact player at the next level. However, tore his ACL toward the end of the year and is now a major medical risk.