As the NFL season winds down, FantasyPros will be taking a look at early NFL draft scouting reports before the combine in March. Here’s a look at Andre Carter II.
Check out all of our 2023 NFL Draft Scouting Reports & Prospect Profiles
Andre Carter II (DE – Army)
6’7” – 260 lbs.
Background:
No relation to former star defensive end Andre Carter. Essentially sat out his freshman campaign (two snaps) while bulking from 230 to 265 pounds. Impressed over 198 snaps the following year, with two starts over nine total appearances and a total of 14 tackles and one sack. Stepped into a full-time starting role as a junior and dominated to the tune of 44-18.5-15.5 over 639 snaps, tying Aidan Hutchinson for PFF’s top pass-rush grade. Didn’t have as strong of a senior season, with 41-7.5-3.5.
Positives:
Really put himself on the map with a monster junior campaign. Very tall, long-limbed stand-up edge rusher who’s added considerable bulk since arriving on campus. Plays with a consistent motor and sense of urgency. Quick reaction times and impressive get-off often let him run right past an opposing tackle from his wider alignments. Very good overall athlete with plenty of speed and smooth change-of-direction. Able to dip his shoulder and bend a smooth arc, with impressive flexibility in his ankles. Mixes in the occasional inside move which he sets up relatively well. Uses a nice quick spin to work back inside when quarterbacks climb the pocket or step into vacated space. Pretty active with his hands. Produced at a high level despite drawing extra attention from opposing blocking schemes on a handful of plays per game. Has a long wingspan and the presence of mind to seek out strips when coming in from behind, or to try and bat down passes at the line. Has the raw athleticism to spot drop into zone coverage, or carry receivers into the flats.
Negatives:
Senior season was relatively disappointing, although he was often the focal point of gameplans. Not too many snaps out of a three-point stance. Still has a lanky body with thin legs, and many teams may want him to add bulk/functional strength before giving him early-down snaps. Has the expected issues with pad level given his height. Rush-first mentality compromises run fits. Struggles to hold the point of attack when run at; can be put on skates when successfully lined up. A lot of free releases where he’s lined up way outside an offensive tackle, and is able to run into the backfield untouched. Not particularly advanced with his hands; very much lives or dies with the speed rush off the edge. Besides the spin, doesn’t have many counters in his arsenal and ends up glued to blocks if tackles get enough depth to protect the edge. Doesn’t have a ton of ability to convert speed to power and grind down opponents. Gets jolted by opposing punches. More athletically capable of dropping than someone who looks comfortable and aware in zone.
Summary:
A toolsy edge rusher with the twitchiness, first step, speed, flexibility, and wingspan to be a problem on passing downs, but who is a little bit of a one-trick pony at this point, struggling to get low and anchor in the run game, lacking polish with his hands on passing downs, and looking raw in coverage. A team with a good strength program and coaching staff could have a real gem on their hands, but early impact might be somewhat limited. Will likely be eligible to defer his military service and play in the NFL immediately.
Grade: Round 2
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